https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67703 2026-04-11T13:08:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68174 Title: Impact of macroeconomic variables on stock return volatility : evidence from Sub-Sahara Africa Authors: Ali, Peter I.; Nzotta, Samuel M.; Akujuobi, A. B. C.; Nwaimo, Chilaka. E. Abstract: The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of macroeconomic variables on stock market return volatility in Sub-Sahara markets. The study concentrated on three stock markets including Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa using GARCH-X (1,1) model on monthly data from January 2000 to December 2017. Preliminary analyses from descriptive statistics show that show mean monthly returns are positive for all the stock markets. Skewness coefficients show that the stock returns and interest rates distribution of all Sub-Sahara Africa stock markets are negatively skewed but inflation rate is positively skewed for Nigeria and South Africa, and flat for Ghana. Excess kurtoses are positive for all the stock markets and macroeconomic indicators, and JarqueBera statistics indicate the stock markets’ series and macroeconomic indicators are not normally distributed. The Unit roots tests results indicate that all the stock markets and macroeconomic indicators are first difference stationary. The results of the GARCH-X (1,1) model show that macroeconomic variables do not significantly impact stock market returns volatility in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa at the 5% significance Level. We therefore recommend that stock market regulators, market participants and investors should concentrate more efforts on other macroeconomic variables aside interest rate and inflation rate, in estimating stock market return volatility in Sub-Sahara Africa 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68173 Title: Examining the excess cash holdings as an indicator of agency problems Authors: Hendrawaty, Ernie Abstract: This research aims to examine the implications of excess cash holdings on firm value based on agency theory. Data were obtained from a total sample of 1828 non-financial public companies in Indonesia, with 672 exceeding normal cash holdings using the panel regression techniques. The result showed that excess cash holdings have a negative effect on the firm value which is stronger for more concentrated ownership, for more dispersed ownership and for more financially difficult firms. Overall the empirical finding showed that excess cash holdings acts as a significant indicator of agency problems 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68172 Title: Voluntary reporting, sustainable reporting and transition economy Authors: Hoq Masum, Mofijul; Abdul Latiff, Ahmed Razman; Hisham Osman, Mohammad Noor Abstract: This concept paper aims at exploring the interrelationship among the corporate voluntary reporting, the corporate sustainable reporting and the transition economy from the literatures and frameworks. At this juncture, transition economy refers the economy especially, the transformation of least developing economy to the developing economy as per the criteria of United Nations. Thus, the context of Bangladesh has been used as a ground for the study. The study explores the affiliation among corporate voluntary reporting, corporate sustainable reporting and transition economy from their respective literature and frameworks. From the literature of the corporate voluntary reporting, various dimensions of corporate disclosures have been considered, while the dimensions of sustainability reporting have been considered as per the consolidated set of global reporting index, published by Global Sustainability Standards Boards. In addition, components of transition economy have been considered on the basis of the guideline of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The similitudes of these three concepts and their consequences are determined on the basis of the literature and frameworks. It is found that the core concepts of corporate voluntary reporting, corporate sustainable reporting and the transition economy are similar, and they are intermingled to each other. We have found that the dimensions of corporate voluntary reporting are the initiation of sustainability reporting that leads a transition economy to gain its status of being a developing economy. The findings of the study imply that the transition economy like Bangladesh has to put more focus on corporate engagement in transforming its economy to the developing economy. As the developing economy is based on trade rather than aid, the government of the country should design their corporate strategies and policies in such a way that leads the country to have a sustainable development. In addition, the findings may also encourage the corporate people to disclose more information regarding sustainability issues. Moreover, the findings may assist the United Nation to consider and reconsider their criteria of graduating any country from one level of economy to another. Finally, the findings can also open the avenue to the academicians to explore the extent of corporate reporting on transition economy. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68171 Title: Factors impact on internal audit effectiveness : the case of Duhok University in Kurdistan-Iraq Authors: Abdullah, Ahmed Yahya; Mustafa, Aree Saeed Abstract: This study investigates the factors impact on internal audit effectiveness (IAE) in Kurdistan Iraq. Data were collected from 15 directors of Colleges and 15 internal audit managers at University of Duhok. The relationship between IAE and three principle factors has been examined using multiple regression analysis. Findings reflect that management support for IAE perceived effectiveness of internal audit from both directors of colleges and internal auditor’s perspective. Management support is related to occupy experienced and trained staff, providing sufficient resources. However, this study found insignificant relationship between independence of the internal audit and internal audit effectiveness 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z