Since it first appeared, agency theory has argued that debt can decrease agency issues between agent and principal and enhance the value of firms. This paper explores the moderating effect of agency cost on the association between capital structure and firm performance. A panel econometric method, namely a fixed-effect regression model, was used to evaluate the above description. This investigation uses secondary data collected from published annual reports of manufacturing firms listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during 2011–2019. Empirical results show that capital structure is negatively related to firm performance. Agency cost also has a negative impact on corporate performance; however, in the case of ROA and EPS, the relationship is positive. Interestingly, the findings illustrate that increasing the level of debt can reduce agency costs and enhance firm performance. Moreover, robust correlations are revealing that agency cost significantly affects the relationship between capital structure and corporate performance. These findings provide proof to support the assumptions of agency theory, which explains the association between capital structure and performance of firms. This study provides new perspectives on the relationship between capital structure and firm performance by using data from listed manufacturing firms in Iran; hence, these new insights from a developing market improve the understanding of capital structure in Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

This paper examines the association between capital structure and firm profitability through the moderating effect of firm size. The analysis of financing choice and firm profitability in developing countries is interesting because of the differences between the characteristics of their firms and those of companies in advanced economies. This research utilized secondary data obtained from the published annual financial statements of 156 manufacturing companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) over the period 2011–2019. The given description was evaluated using a panel econometric approach, namely, the fixed-effects regression method. The results displayed that profitability is negatively affected by capital structure decisions. However, firm size is positively related to profitability. The robust findings also illustrate that the size of a firm plays a significant role in improving the influence of capital structure choice on the firm’s profitability. Similar to other emerging economies, in Iran, when internal finances are inadequate, long-term debt is used as an alternative for financing. These results provide evidence to support the hypothesis of the trade-off theory, which explains the relationship between firm size, capital structure, and profitability. These findings provide significant information from a developing country, Iran, that confirms the argument of the trade-off theory and provides substantial guidance for sector management.

This study seeks to investigate the potential effects of the recent pandemic (COVID-19) on capital structure dynamics. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a fascinating topic for this study because of its distinct economic characteristics. The analysis draws upon a cross-country dataset covering 208 non-financial listed firms across five GCC countries, with data spanning the years 2010 to 2022. Capital structure is a dependent variable and is measured by total debt to equity, equity multiplier, and short-term debt ratios, while the COVID-19 pandemic, firm size growth, return on assets, tangibility, and growth were applied as independent variables. Using the generalized least squares (GLS) method, findings demonstrated that COVID-19 has a significant and positive influence on debt-to-equity and equity multiplier ratios but a negative one on short-term debt ratio. Thus, non-financial firms increased their debt financing and transferred debt from short-term to long-term funding. In addition, firm-specific factors, such as firm size, tangibility, and macroeconomic factors, such as GDP growth, positively and significantly impact capital financing. Conversely, profitability has a negative relationship with financial leverage. There is a lack of empirical research on how COVID-19 affects the financial structure of non-financial listed companies in GCC nations. Consequently, by filling the previously specified gaps, this study provides proof to support the idea of using debt financing to raise capital for economic recovery. GCC policymakers need to give priority to ensuring that firms have convenient access to inexpensive finance in light of the financial consequences caused by COVID-19. This will guarantee that companies have the resources necessary to bounce back and support economic growth.

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to investigate the association between corporate governance and capital structure. Theoretical framework: Since 1970, when the concept of corporate governance is introduced, the debate on whether it might affect capital structure have been ongoing. It is largely believed that in the real world, when effective cooperate governance adopted, strong capital structure can be achieved. Nonetheless, the experimental evidence reveals a variety of findings on such association. Design/Methodology/Approach: Panel data was collected form annual reports of 42 non-financial listed firms on Frankfort and Oslo stock exchange over the period 2017-2021. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model is utilized to estimate the connection between dependent and independent variables. Findings: The finding shows that BS and AUCS are positively related with the capital structure and the result is significant. With respect to corporate governance, BM and BR with DTA have a negative and significant relationship. CEOC has positive but insignificant connection with DTA. Similarly, insignificant relationship between CEOT and DTA was observed. FS as a control variable has positive association with DTA, whereas the CR related DTA inversely. Despite the fact that, European firms mainly followed with a good corporate governance style if compared with developing countries, the results are still recommended further improvement for the firms in both countries in order to improve the financial position Research, practical & social implications: Future studies should focus on other corporate governance indicators that might affect capital structure significantly. It is also recommended for them to focus on financial firms and make a comparison between financial and non-financial firms.   Originality/Value: By providing significant data for the impact of corporate governance on capital structure, this research contributes with existing literature on governance mechanism and management of capital structure. The findings will guide policymakers in various countries in determining the effectiveness of availability corporate governance reforms to enhance the structure of capital.

The overall objective of this study was to establish the effects of internal controls on the financial performance of Asiacell as a telecommunication company in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This was achieved by looking at the effect of control environment, risk assessment, information and communication, control activities and monitoring on the return on asset of the selected company. The study used both primary and secondary techniques to collect the data. In the model, the dependent variable is financial performance while the independent variables are the components of internal controls. After analyzing the audited financial statements and filling the questioners by the employees of the selected company, the findings of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between internal controls and financial performance. The dependent and the independent variables in the study indicated a relationship with control environment, risk assessment. Information and communication and control activities illustrated a positive relationship with the financial performance while monitoring showed a negative relationship with financial performance. The study also found that, Asiacell had invested on effective internal control systems, thus, it had a better financial performance as compared to the related firms that had a weak internal control system. The study further recommends that the governing body, possibly supported by the audit committee, should ensure that the internal control system is periodically monitored and evaluated by the respective managers.

It is expected that banks should operate with a recognized standard of corporate governance. The importance of excellent governance processes in banks cannot be overstated because they are essential to gain and maintain the confidence and the customers satisfaction. This paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and financial performance (FP) of Iraqi listed banks. To obtain this goal, two econometric models were enhanced to measure the association between the variables by applying multiple linear regression. The secondary data was obtained from the audited annual financial statement of ten listed banks in the Iraqi stock exchange in the period 2017-2021. Four corporate governance proxies, such as (CEO Duality, board size, audit committee meetings and independent board) are tested on two indicators of financial performance (return on assets and return on equity). The finding illustrated that CEO Duality, board size, and audit committee meetings have a positive and significant influence on the financial performance of banks. On the other hand, a negative and significant association can be observed between the independent boards and banks’ financial performance. Hence, the study pointed out that the financial performance of banking industry has been impacted by all of the components of corporate governance selected in this research.