The study investigates the moderating effect of board gender diversity on the relationship between environmental performance indicators (emissions, innovations, and resources) and financial performance. The study adopts a robust research design, drawing on a diverse sample of 6,104 companies operating in various countries. It employs a sophisticated panel data analysis with a fixed-effect model. The findings indicate a significant effect of environmental performance on financial performance. The results also reveal that higher gender diversity on a board is linked to lower returns on assets (ROA). Moreover, there is a positive interaction between management teams, board gender diversity, and financial performance. This study explores the relationship between corporate governance, environmental performance, and financial outcomes, offering practical insights for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders. It also provides actionable insights for companies to align sustainability practices with financial success, enhancing their environmental stewardship and potentially improving financial performance. Policymakers can use this knowledge to design regulations and guidelines, while stakeholders, including investors and environmental advocacy groups, can use it to make informed decisions. The study's originality lies in its exploration of the moderating impact of board diversity on the relationship between firms' environmental performance and financial performance, using a large sample from different countries. As there is still a lack of consensus on the effect of environmental performance on financial performance, this study contributes to the understanding of corporate governance, environmental responsibility, and financial performance.

This study investigates the factors that affect the adoption of mobile payment systems in Oman, focusing specifically on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the expanding FinTech landscape. By utilizing secondary sources of data from the Central Bank of Oman and global FinTech reports, this research identifies essential enablers, such as security features and ease of use, which are propelled by developments in FinTech solutions. It also addresses the obstacles, such as high transaction fees and issues with authentication, that impede SMEs from embracing these technologies. Through an examination of worldwide FinTech adoption patterns, this research offers perspectives on Oman’s progress toward becoming a cashless society. This study employs sophisticated statistical techniques, including histograms and correlation analysis, to reveal significant trends in the rates of mobile payment adoption. The results emphasize the necessity for cooperative efforts among regulators, financial entities, and FinTech developers to minimize costs, strengthen digital infrastructure, and enhance user experiences. These findings are consistent with Oman’s Vision 2040, which aims to foster financial inclusion and propel the country’s shift toward a robust, digitally oriented economy powered by FinTech innovation.

The study aimed to examine the moderating impact of social responsibility committees on the relationship between board characteristics and the social dimension of sustainable development in the GCC countries. The study sample comprises 366 companies listed on the GCC stock markets for the period from 2013 to 2022, resulting in 3660 firm-year observations. Panel data analysis with ordinary least squares regression using E-Views 10 was conducted to estimate the study findings. To ensure the findings’ robustness and specific country contextual relevance, the estimation was carried out in two stages: first, at the country level to capture the effect of board characteristics on social sustainability; and second, at the overall sample level to estimate general trends across the GCC countries. Further, the Generalized Method of Moments was also used to address potential endogeneity issues and enhance the reliability of the estimated results. The study findings revealed that board characteristics such as size, independence, meetings, experience, and diversity positively impact the social dimension of sustainable development in the GCC countries. Furthermore, the study concluded that the social responsibility committees moderate the relationship between board characteristics and the implementation of the social dimension of sustainable development. The study helps to broaden the understanding of stakeholder theory and governance theory by explaining how social responsibility committees affect a company’s approach to social issues. Moreover, the study provides decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and boards of directors in the GCC with empirical evidence that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of corporate governance by activating the role of the social responsibility committee in supporting social initiatives.