The purpose of this study is to find out how the positive influence of corporate sustainable development on corporate financial performance alters during the two recent crises i.e. the global recession (2008–10) and COVID-19 (2019–20). The fixed effect modeling of panel data is applied in the main analysis of Chinese manufacturing companies ranging from 2008 to 2020. The results of the study disclose that there is an overall positive influence of corporate sustainable development on corporate financial performance. However, this influence becomes stronger during both crises i.e. the global recession (2008–10) and COVID-19 (2019–20). Moreover, this positive influence is even stronger during covid −19 recession as compared to this influence during the global recession (2008–10).

This study probes the intersection of urbanization, environmental degradation, and corporate performance in China’s retail and automotive sectors. Utilizing data from 23 regions spanning 2000–2022, the research elucidates the impacts of urban growth, infrastructure development, and particulate matter 2.5 pollution (PM2.5) on these industries. The study uses panel data from 2000 to 2022 and the corresponding analytical random effect model, along with pre- and post-estimation tests for the main results. The findings reveal that while urban population growth bolsters retail sales, it adversely affects the automotive industry. Urban infrastructure does not influence conventional sectors, yet it negatively impacts online retail sales. PM2.5 pollution depresses retail and automotive sales but boosts online sales, underscoring the rising environmental consciousness among consumers. The urban population significantly moderates the relationship between PM2.5 pollution and sales across sectors, hinting at unique consumption patterns in populated urban areas. This study provides critical insights for policymakers aiming for sustainable economic growth, and encourages further research with more region-specific factors and extended time frames.

There is a plethora of empirical evidence testing theories which have been proposed to explain dividend policies and assessments of managerial opinions for firms listed on developed markets’ stock exchanges. In contrast, the evidence for emerging markets is limited. We investigate the determinants of the dividend payout ratio (DPR) for a sample of Jordanian listed firms. Consistent with the agency cost hypothesis, the level of inside ownership, the number of shareholders and the level of institutional ownership significantly influenced the DPR. Firm size was also significant supporting the transaction-cost hypothesis. Our empirical analysis failed to find any evidence to support the signalling hypothesis. JEL Classification: G32, G35, G38