We investigate the empirical nexus between financial inclusion and economic growth for an extended sample of 21 Asian countries spanning over a period from 2004 to 2019. Further, we also conducted a sub-sample analysis by dividing the overall samples into developed and developing countries. Our results reveal a significant positive long-term impact of financial inclusion on economic growth in Asia. Our pair-wise causality test shows bidirectional causality between financial inclusion and economic development. Our robust results are consistent across various estimation techniques. Our findings suggest that the influence of financial inclusion on economic growth is more pronounced in developing countries compared to developed countries. Our results hold across subsamples. These findings posit important policy insights to enable the policy-makers in designing policies that ensure efficient and inclusive financial system on an equitable basis to achieve sustainable economic growth. JEL classification: O16; O57; C38; C33

The current study proposes an integrated theoretical frame work, to explain the moderating role of institutional investors, their investment horizon and corporate governance mechanism in the sustainability of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm’s performance nexus. The proposed model explains how, the positive association between CSR and firm performance relationship, established on the basis of the stakeholder and corporate citizenship theories, can be further strengthened (effective monitoring hypothesis) or weakened (myopic institutions theory) by the presence of institutional investors in the firm’s ownership structure and corporate governance mechanism (agency theory). The study tested the proposed model on the unbalanced sample of 327 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange (PSX). The study concludes that, based on the agency theory, institutional investors (as a homogeneous group) positively moderates the CSR and firm performance relationship. However, agency theory failed to explain the negative moderation of short term investment horizon institutional investors and firm performance. The study further confirms the agency role of effective corporate governance mechanism in the sustainable CSR and firm performance relationship. The current study explored some of the major theoretical contradictions in the field of corporate finance literature, which are puzzling for the practitioners and scholars.

This study aimed to investigate the association between corporate governance characteristics, shariah governance characteristics, and the credit rating of Asian Islamic banks. To do so, we collected data from 22 banks during the 2006–2018 period. In total, we observed 286 data points. Credit rating was measured through an adaption of the credit rating scale that measured the long term credit of Islamic banks on an ordinal scale. From these data, 19 scores (Aaa) were considered high credit ratings and 1 score (C) was considered a low credit rating. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and the ordered logit regression model were applied in a panel setting. We found that the board interlock, board independence, CEO duality, and board foreign directorship negatively affected credit ratings. We also found that the board size, board accounting, finance knowledge, presence of women on the board, shariah board size, presence of supervisory shariah board, the shariah board interlock, and presence of female shariah scholars all were positively associated with credit ratings. This study suggests that Islamic banks can access more funds with higher shariah compliance. As such, we concluded that evaluating organizations’ credit ratings must consider shariah governance attributes as determinants of the credit rating of Islamic banks.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate how the negative effect of litigation risk on firm performance could be controlled through the channel of voluntary disclosure and under the condition of institutional ownership.Design/methodology/approach: To get the objectives, the study analyzed an unbalanced panel of 918 non-financial listed Chinese firms from 2010 to 18. To capture any expected unobserved heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation in the unbalanced sample, the authors have applied fixed effect regression with robust standard errors clustered at the firms' levels as suggested by Newey and West (1987).Findings: The research provides that the good disclosure practices and presence of institutional ownership in corporations raise the trust of the investors by making the corporate operation clear in the eyes of the stakeholders. This increases the corporate credibility and as consequence corporations are protected against litigation risk. Thus, in the light of the information asymmetry and signaling theories, voluntary disclosure practices, and financial institutions' ownership, bridges the information gap and transmit a positive signal in the market regarding the better financial performance of the corporations.Research limitations/implications: These findings are helpful for the corporate managers for effective strategic decisions, regulatory authorities for policy formulation, and individual investors for developing a diversified investment portfolio.Originality/value: By applying the mediation and moderation effects, the research enhances the understanding of the underlying causes of the association between a firm's litigation risk and its performance. The current research contributes to the literature, that agency issues which create litigation risk could be settled internally with voluntary disclosure practices and externally with institutional ownership.

Amid China’s dynamic economic backdrop, Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) and stock market indices hold pivotal roles, this research delves into EPU and its connection with the stock price index (SPI). By uncovering patterns linking these variables, the study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of their relationship. We employ wavelet coherence analysis and a phase difference approach to investigate EPU impact on China’s SPI from 2010 to 2020. Through this lens, the interactions between these economic variables are illuminated. Using wavelet coherence analysis, the temporal dynamics of EPU and SPI are explored. The phase difference approach further highlights the temporal alignment of fluctuations, capturing the intricate relationship. The analysis reveals compelling findings. A robust correlation between EPU and the SPI emerges, particularly at low frequencies, underscoring a substantive connection. The phase difference analysis indicates a positive influence of EPU on stock prices, highlighting its impact on SPI. Besides, implications imply EPU shapes stock market behavior, moving beyond mere correlation. A causal link is established, emphasizing EPU’s proactive role in influencing stock prices. Bidirectional causation underscores the interdependence of EPU and stock price movements. This research enhances understanding of EPU’s effects on stock prices in China. Finally, this study provides important implications for investors, policymakers, and businesses, guiding strategic decisions amid a dynamic economic landscape.

The study aims to investigate the relationship between litigation risk, ownership structure and payout policy in the light of agency theory. The study analyzed a data set of 690 non-financial Chinese firms spanning 2013–2021, by employing two-stage dynamic panel data methodology. The results reveal that litigation risk adversely impacts dividend payouts, while managerial ownership has a similar negative effect. Conversely, institutional and concentrated ownership exhibit positive associations with dividend yield. Furthermore, managerial and institutional ownership moderates the link between litigation risk and dividend payout ratio, while concentrated ownership strengthens this link. These findings confirm the presence of agency theory dynamics in emerging economies, providing valuable insights for corporate decision-makers, regulators and investors. By considering the moderating role of ownership structure, this research enhances our understanding of the multifaceted relationship between litigation risk and payout policy, facilitating better-informed strategic decisions and policy formulation. The study provides valuable implications for corporate managers and individual investors for constructing a diversified portfolio in the context of emerging economies.