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Corporate Governance and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends, Thematic Evolution, and Future Directions
Get PDFThis study does a bibliometric analysis of research trends in corporate governance and sustainability, investigating the thematic evolution, intellectual framework, and prospective orientations of this interdisciplinary domain. Analysis of Scopus data (1994–2025) indicates a substantial rise in academic output, propelled by the increasing incorporation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks in business decision-making. Prominent themes encompass sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, board diversity, and the use of digital technology in governance. The results underscore the congruence of corporate governance studies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The study highlights deficiencies in the literature, including the necessity for further investigation into digital governance, AI-driven sustainability analytics, and the circular economy. Theoretical implications encompass the progression of stakeholder theory and agency theory about sustainability, whilst practical consequences emphasize the formulation of governance frameworks that improve transparency, accountability, and resilience. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, highlighting the significance of inclusive governance models, international collaborations, and the incorporation of emerging technology to tackle intricate sustainability issues
Fintech Services and Entrepreneurship in Africa
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Purpose: This paper examines the effect of fintech on entrepreneurship to ascertain the role of financial technology services on individual entrepreneurial intention in five sub-Saharan African countries.
Methods: The analysis was based on an extended probit model to determine the country-specific effect of mobile money account ownership (Fin) on individuals who used fintech services to start a business (Ent) as a measure of entrepreneurship. The impact of other control variables (X) such as credit access, education, and labor force participation on entrepreneurship (Ent) was also considered.
Results: The findings show that fintech services through mobile money are significantly associated with an increased likelihood of entrepreneurship in The Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, and South Africa. Credit access, higher levels of education, and labor force participation are other drivers of entrepreneurship in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Implications: Country-specific characteristics play a significant role in engendering entrepreneurship; thus, the government should intensify efforts to diffuse and adopt fintech for optimal livelihood and economic transformation.
Originality: Overall, this paper accounts for the role of technology penetration in financial services and contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship development in the African context. The research utilizes the World Bank Global Findex data, which is nationally representative, to provide insight into the subject matter.
Limitations: This paper\u27s analysis relied on the 2017 World Bank Global Findex Database, the most recent data available. Although this may be perceived as insufficient, the findings were valid due to their alignment with similar outcomes in the literature
Post-COVID-19 Inflation Dynamics in Bangladesh
Get PDFPurpose: Bangladesh\u27s economy has recently experienced elevated inflationary pressures, which significantly affect economic stability and growth. This study analyzes the factors driving inflation in Bangladesh and determines whether supply-side factors or demand-side pressures primarily influence it.
Methods: The ARDL approach is used in this study\u27s estimating process to use monthly secondary data from January 2015 to September 2024, available from different sources like Bangladesh Bank (BB) and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). This study utilized three separate models for scenario analysis to determine whether inflation dynamics are the same for the pre-COVID and post-COVID periods or over the entire period and whether supply-side or demand-side phenomena drive inflation. The rate of inflation is the dependent variable in the model; industrial production, import, inward remittance, exchange rate, and central bank policy rates (repo, reverse repo) are our independent variables, and the broad money supply is included as a control variable. A correlation matrix is also used to observe the connection among the variables.
Results: This study\u27s findings reveal a long-run relationship among industrial production, lag value of inflation, import, lag values of exchange rate, and broad money supply, but the central bank policy rates have no statistical significance for Bangladesh. This revealed that the channels through which monetary policy influences inflation may be weak or ineffective, or inflation may be driven more by supply-side factors than demand-side ones, reducing the effectiveness of monetary policy.
Implications: The finding informs policymakers or experts that the recent inflationary trend is a supply-side phenomenon and will be adjusted over time.
Originality: This study offers a story contribution by systematically analyzing the post-COVID-19 inflation dynamics in Bangladesh, distinguishing between supply-side and demand-side drivers. Unlike previous studies, which primarily focus on pre-pandemic inflation trends or general macroeconomic conditions, this paper examines explicitly the structural shifts in inflationary pressures caused by the pandemic’s aftermath.
Limitations: Inflation is a multivariate variable, and while fiscal deficits may directly influence inflation, their data are only available annually. Therefore, we cannot include this variable in our article
The Effect of Work-Family Conflict on Business Sustainability in Micro and Small Enterprises in Bamenda: The Case of Copreneurs’ Businesses
Get PDFThis study investigates the effect of work-family conflict on business sustainability in husband-wife (Copreneurs) owned micro and small enterprises in Bamenda, Cameroon. The study utilized a mixed methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used a causal research design to test for causality. The quantitative research component involves collecting numerical data through surveys or questionnaires administered to a sample of Copreneurs. The target population of this study was selected businesses that are co-managed by both spouses in Bamenda city, and a sample of 330 Copreneurs was obtained through stratified random sampling. Data was analyzed using ordinary least squares analysis.
The analysis reveals a positive relationship between the overall work-family conflict index and business sustainability. However, this relationship is statistically insignificant. Specifically, a unit increase in the work-family conflict index correlates with a 0.11-point increase in business sustainability. In contrast, the work time commitment has a significant negative effect on sustainability, with a coefficient of -0.412, indicating that an increase in work time commitment by Copreneurs leads to a 0.41-point decrease in sustainability. Conversely, role overload demonstrates a significant positive relationship with business sustainability, where a one-point increase in role overload results in a 0.745-point enhancement in sustainability. The study implies that business leaders should acknowledge the dual nature of work-family conflict and its components. Organizations should implement policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible work schedules and family-friendly practices, to mitigate the negative effects of Work Time Commitment on sustainability initiatives. Training programs focused on time management and prioritization could also equip employees with the skills to balance work demands and sustainability goals effectively
Talent Management and Organizational Performance: A Study in South-West Nigeria
Get PDFPurpose: This study was carried out to examine the empirical effect of talent management on organizational performance in two selected wire and cable firms operating in South-West Nigeria.
Method: A questionnaire was used as a research instrument to source data from a population of 186 employees from the two selected firms. Multi-stage sampling procedure was deplored to arrive at a sample size of 127. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Result: The study revealed that talent management has a significant positive effect on Organizational Performance. [Model R-square =.623 and P ˂ 0.05]. It indicates a predictive power of the outcome in the model as approximately 62% of variation in Organizational Performance is explained by talent management practices.
Implication: The result implies that the firms should pay more attention to the selected talent management practices (talent attraction, talent retention, learning and development, and career management) in order to ensure a higher level of organizational performance
The Effects of Family Culture and Marital Decisions of the Business Owners on Access to Financing of Very Small Businesses: A Study in the North West Region of Cameroon
Get PDFPurpose: This study seeks to examine the effects of family culture (presence during family meetings, assistance in important family events, and strong family bonds) as well as marital decisions (mutual participation, joint savings decisions, and joint ventures) on access to financing of very small businesses in the North West Region of Cameroon.
Methods: The study used a series of exogenous and control variables adapted from the model of Gikonyo, Agwata, & Anyango (2011) who proposed a strategic model for quantitative research. Primary data were collected through convenient sampling from 293 very small business owners in each divisional headquarters of the North West Region of Cameroon. We used the multiple correspondence analysis to construct indexes for family culture, marital decisions as well as access to financing of very small businesses. The hypotheses of the study were then tested using the ordinary least square estimation technique.
Results: The results obtained showed in aggregate, a positive and significant effect of family culture and marital decisions on access to financing. More precisely, the coefficients of presence during family meetings, assistance in important family events as well as strong family bonds are positive. These results were statistically significant at 1% level.
Implications: This study has significant practical implications on the financial health of very small businesses in the context of developing countries like Cameroon in general and the North West Region of Cameroon in particular plagued by the crisis and COVID-19. The study therefore concluded that if very small business owners can improve on the respect of family cultures and can jointly decide on their financial actions with their spouses, they will have better access to financing, especially in developing countries like Cameroon and more particularly in the North West Region of the country
Significance of Social Capital as a Resource for Women\u27s Empowerment: An Analysis from Bangladesh Perspective
Get PDFSocial capital has been recognized as a route through which empowerment may ensue in a developing nation like Bangladesh. This research investigated the relationship between social capital formation and women\u27s empowerment in Bangladesh. A narrative review was performed to derive conclusions from secondary data for this qualitative study, employing a descriptive research design. Two themes emerged from the findings: the role of social capital in capacity building and the significance of network building as a means of establishing social capital. Firstly, women\u27s participation in social networks increases their likelihood of making strategic decisions regarding themselves and the community. Secondly, women\u27s engagement in self-help projects and credit groups, which are based on women groups, helped them to build their capability in those sectors along with the rise in education and entrepreneurship. However, challenges coming from deeply rooted traditions, conservative religious practices, and family and social values contradict the benefits of social capital women may derive from them. Thus, social capital must be considered for the policies concerning future community development and women\u27s empowerment. This study also provides guidelines for further study with broader scope and systematic studies in the future
Fintech for Sustainability in Business and Economics Research: Trends and Future Agendas
Get PDFPurpose: Fintech for sustainability is pivotal for business and economics as it harnesses technology to drive environmentally and socially responsible practices while enhancing economic efficiency and growth. This paper discusses the research trends and future research implications of fintech in sustainable economic operations.
Methods: This study extracted scholarly articles from the Scopus database and adopted the PRISMA framework and bibliographic analysis to uncover publication trends, research, affiliation, geographical circumstances, keywords trends, thematic trends, and bibliographic coupling to assess current practices and pinpoint future research directions of fintech to adopt the wider sustainability practices in business and economy.
Results: Steady progress has been made in developing fintech applications to achieve sustainability. There is notable research collaboration in both developing and developed economies. Recent keyword trends indicate a growing interest in sustainability and digital transformation. The thematic map demonstrates that the digital economy is a well-established topic. However, there is a need for new research in financial technology-based climate solutions to address significant sustainability gaps. This study identified the impact of emerging financial technologies on sustainability as a widely researched area. We suggested the connection between sustainability and the fintech ecosystem, sustainable financial inclusion, open fintech innovation, and fintech stability as potential areas for future research to expedite fintech adoption in sustainability goals.
Implications: Researchers, regulators, and policymakers can utilize the conclusions drawn from the research questions to craft a distinctive framework outlining strategic approaches and actionable plans for developing fintech policies that facilitate faster adoption of sustainability practices
A Comparative Study of the Equal-Weight Method and Hierarchical Risk Parity in Portfolio Construction
Get PDFPurpose: Portfolio optimization is a process in which the capital is allocated among the portfolio assets such that the return is maximized while the risk is minimized. Portfolio construction and optimization has long been an active research area in finance. For the portfolios with highly correlated assets, the performance of traditional risk-based asset allocation methods such as, the mean-variance (MV) method is limited because quadratic optimizers require an inversion of the covariance matrix of the portfolio to distribute weight among the portfolio assets.
Methods: A possible solution to the limitations of traditional risk-based asset allocation methods can be provided by a hierarchical clustering-based Machine Learning method because it uses hierarchical relationships between the covariance of assets in the portfolio to distribute the weight, and inversion of the covariance matrix is not required. A comparison of the performance of a simple non-optimization technique called the Equal-weight (EW) method to the two optimization methods, the Mean-variance method and the HRP method, which is a machine learning method, was conducted in this research.
Results: It was found that in terms of cumulative returns, the equal-weight method has outperformed several more sophisticated optimization techniques, the mean-variance method, and the HRP method. For most of the period, the Sharpe ratio of the HRP method was observed to be similar to the mean-variance method and equal-weight method.
Implications: This research supports the idea that HRP is a feasible method to construct portfolios with correlated assets because the performance of HRP is comparable to the performances of the traditional optimization method and the non-optimization method
Nexus between Economic Policy Uncertainty and Bank Liquidity Creation: Moderating Role of Bank Regulations and Credit Risk
Get PDFPurpose: This paper analyzes the effects of economic policy uncertainty (EPU), bank regulations, and credit risk on the asset and liability sides of liquidity creation in developed and developing countries.
Methods: The sample comprises 100 companies in developed and developing countries from 2015 to 2021. We used a dynamic Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to test the hypothesis. We also performed the Sargan test of over-identification or J-statistics to check the validity of instruments in the GMM model. Additionally, we conducted a robustness test on our analysis based on average assets and average capital.
Results: We find that Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) significantly negatively impacts asset-side liquidity creation in developed and developing countries. However, EPU significantly positively impacts liability-side liquidity creation only in developed countries. Interestingly, higher credit risk can effectively counteract the adverse effects of EPU on asset-side liquidity creation and encourage a positive impact on liability-side liquidity creation in developed and developing countries. Moreover, stricter bank regulations, including activity restriction and capital stringency, can weaken the negative effects of EPU on asset-side liquidity creation in developed and developing countries. However, we do not find any significant effect of higher bank regulations on the relationship between liability-side liquidity creation and EPU.
Implications: Since financial institutions can make riskier decisions to keep their businesses going in an uncertain economy, regulators need to act in advance to restore confidence in credit growth and financial resilience. The government should assess the short-term and long-term consequences of any policy implications.
Originality: While most studies concentrate on total liquidity creation from a cross-country perspective, our study provides new evidence by breaking down liquidity creation into asset-side and liability-side liquidity creation and examining the research separately in developed and developing countries