This study examines the influence of ethical leadership on corporate sustainability and financial performance, highlighting the moderating effect of firms’ commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing panel data from 420 automotive companies spanning 2015 to 2024, the analysis applies the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to control for endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity. All data were gathered from the Refinitiv Eikon Platform (LSEG) and annual reports. Panel GMM regression is used to estimate the relationship to deal with the endogeneity problem. The results reveal that ethical leadership significantly improves corporate sustainability performance—measured by ESG scores from Refinitiv Eikon and Bloomberg—as well as financial indicators like Return on Assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q. Additionally, firms that demonstrate breadth (the range of SDG-related themes addressed), concentration (the distribution of non-financial disclosures across SDGs), and depth (the overall volume of SDG-related information) in their SDG disclosures gain greater advantages from ethical leadership, resulting in enhanced ESG performance and higher market valuation. This study offers valuable insights for corporate leaders, policymakers, and investors on how integrating ethical leadership with SDG alignment can drive sustainable and financial growth.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate two important research questions. First, this research examines the impact of real earnings management on investment inefficiency of the non-financial listed firms in Pakistan. Second, this research further explores the moderating role of short-term debt on the nexus between real earnings management and investment inefficiency. This study attempts to highlight an important research problem i.e. the jinx of real earnings management from the context of an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approach: This study employs the data from non-financial listed firms in Pakistan over the period from 2008 to 2018. The study uses panel data methodologies with firm and year fixed-effects to examine the proposed hypotheses. The results are robust to the use of sensitivity analysis, different estimation techniques and endogeneity issues (using two-stage least squares (2SLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) techniques).Findings: The results of the research are twofold. First, consistent with the theoretical arguments, the findings reveal that real earnings management increases investment inefficiency and results in over-investments by the firms. Second, short-term debt attenuates the relationship between real earnings management and investment inefficiency. It implies that a higher level of short-term debt weakens the adverse effects of real earnings management on the investment efficiency of the firm.Originality/value: This study offers original findings on the issues pertaining to the quality of accounting and financial reporting in an emerging economy like Pakistan, where the implementation of regulations is weak in the corporate world and management frequently exploits shareholders' wealth for the short-term benefits.

This study looks at the banking sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from 2013 to 2021 to determine the impact that corporate governance had on financial innovation, as well as the impact that financial innovation had on performance. Thirty (30) commercial banks with 270 annual observations were selected, including 5 banks from each country. In order to quantify the factors at play, we queried databases such as Refinitiv Eikon and Fitch Connect. The research indicates that banks with a greater number of directors with backgrounds in finance or accounting, a higher attendance rate of directors, a higher ratio of independent directors, a higher average director education level, and a greater number of directors with a background in finance or accounting, provide more cutting-edge financial services. Since 2017, corporate governance has been a more significant factor in how banks approach providing new, cutting-edge financial services to their customers. Furthermore, a bank’s profitability and value will rise in direct proportion to the extent to which it provides cutting-edge financial services. Furthermore, the value of financial holding subsidiary banks could rise if they provided more innovative financial services. However, the same action taken by non-financial holding banks could have a negative impact on their profitability.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence that financial technology (FinTech) companies have on the soundness of bank finances. Using a sample of 480 bank-year observation from an emerging market of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the period of 2006–2021, we find that the development of FinTech firms over time increases bank financial stability. The study used the Refinitiv Eikon and Fintch Connect databases to measure variables. When we conduct sub-sample analyses by bank size, bank type, and level of corporate governance, we find additional evidence that supports the hypothesis that FinTech companies have an effect on the financial stability of banks. The findings are consistent with a wide variety of model specifications, indices of financial stability, and applications of FinTech. This study is unique and contributes to the extant literature by offering new evidence on the effect of FinTech on the sustainability of banks in GCC.

This study examines the interplay of financial performance, corporate governance, and sustainability reporting quality (SRQ), addressing the need to enhance corporate transparency and accountability in an emerging market context. Guided by agency and stakeholder theories, this study investigated the effects of board size, independence, diversity, and experience on SRQ, along with the moderating role of governance in the financial performance–SRQ relationship. Using an explanatory research design and quantitative approach, data from 88 listed firms in premier markets from 2015 to 2024 were analyzed using ordered logistic regression. All data were gathered from the Refinitiv Eikon Platform (LSEG), annual reports. Panel GMM regression is used to estimate the relationship to deal with the endogeneity problem. The findings reveal that board size and experience positively influence SRQ, highlighting the role of diverse expertise and seasoned directors in fostering sustainability. Financial performance alone was not significantly associated with SRQ. However, robust governance structures enhanced the translation of financial resources into improved reporting quality. Firm size emerged as a key determinant, with larger firms exhibiting higher SRQ, while financial firms lagged compared to non-financial sectors. This study concludes that corporate governance is pivotal in shaping SRQ, particularly in resource-constrained environments. This study contributes to the literature by bridging governance, financial performance, and sustainability, offering practical insights for policymakers and corporate leaders to improve SRQ through regulatory frameworks and governance reforms.