abdelmohsen Desoky | University of Bahrain (original) (raw)
Papers by abdelmohsen Desoky
Investment Management and Financial Innovations
This study contributes to the intellectual capital (IC) area of literature by investigating the i... more This study contributes to the intellectual capital (IC) area of literature by investigating the impact of IC on the firm’s financial performance of two main sectors in the Bahrain Bourse, financial and service sectors, during five years, 2013–2017. The study employs canonical correlation analysis as a unique statistical method to analyze data gathered from 29 sampled companies, representing 145 firm-year observations over the five years. Two groups of variables are employed. The first represents the firm’s financial performance with two variables (return on equity – ROE and return on assets – ROA), while the second includes three intellectual capital components, namely human, customer, and structural capital. Findings related to the financial sector reveal that all IC components (human capital, customer capital, and structural capital) have positive correlations with firm performance except for the labor costs variable (the sub-variable of human capital), which has a negative correl...
Journal of Empirical Research in Accounting & Auditing An International Journal
2012). However, it is critical to re-evaluate the perceived importance of such traditional source... more 2012). However, it is critical to re-evaluate the perceived importance of such traditional sources in the light of the existence of some new sources, "company website" and "specialized websites". The issue of the current study, the perceived sources and various sections of CR, is at present particularly markets including Bahrain and Egypt with practices implemented in last years and the Abstract: information in relation to various investment decisions in two of the emerging markets namely Bahrain and Egypt. It explores how some new sources such as "Company website" and "Specialized websites" stand in relation to other traditional sources. Furthermore, it aims to examine empirically the perceived importance of different sections of the corporate annual report (CR). This study examines the issue from the perspective of three user groups namely "Financial analysts", "Individual investors" and "Institutional investors" as main groups of users employed and personally delivered to a sample of 120 respondents in Bahrain and delivered through the electronic mail to a sample of 180 respondents in Egypt. Descriptive and statistical analysis revealed that "CR" was ranked as "Company website" and "Specialized websites" were highly ranked as the second and third important sources by users in Egypt. However, they received lower ranking by users in Bahrain. Concerning sections of the corporate "CR" by investors in both countries.
International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems
This study seeks to explore determinant factors in smart cities using a sample of 13 countries fr... more This study seeks to explore determinant factors in smart cities using a sample of 13 countries from the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) during the period from 2012 to 2018. The study suggests five determinant factors in smart cities namely, infrastructure; macroeconomic environment; health and education; technological readiness and innovation. These factors are measured using data collected from the Global Competitiveness Report over seven years from 2012 to 2018. To examine significant effects and causal relations between the five factors in smart cities, the study has conducted the path analysis. Two models with different paths are employed. The first has three paths among them one is not significant at the common levels of significance. The second model has four paths which all are statistically significant. Findings of the study reveal that the infrastructure and economy based on smart technology positively affect other factors (the education & health and innovation). In addition, the results demonstrate a high effect of technology readiness and macroeconomic environment as determinant factors in smart cities on other factors namely, health and education and innovation. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study on smart cities conducted in MENA countries to employ path analysis as a unique technique.
Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance
The main aim of this research is to investigate perceptions of respondents (auditors, accountants... more The main aim of this research is to investigate perceptions of respondents (auditors, accountants and financial managers) on the effect of provision of non-audit services (NAS) to audit clients companies upon auditor independence and audit quality. This study expands on previous work done on the effects of providing non-audit services upon auditors' independence and audit quality in Bahrain, which considered as an important subject for both auditing firms and auditing profession. This paper provides insights on the factors which explain the impact of the provision of non-audit services upon auditor independence and audit quality in Bahrain. To achieve the objectives of the research, a questionnaire was prepared and disseminated to a sample of 250 respondents. The results indicate that respondents are supporting the idea that "independence of auditor is impaired with providing non-audit service". Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed that only respondents' occupation is associated with their perceptions. Providing empirical evidence on this issue within the Bahraini environment, as a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, may add a new dimension to the accounting and auditing literature. As the study analysed only one country (Bahrain); generalisation of the results might be a limitation. Future research studies should consider other countries in the region and to include respondents in other non-listed companies with more recent data which may lead to different results.
International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting
Investment Management and Financial Innovations
This empirical study aims mainly to investigate the effect of both dividend payments (DP) and fiv... more This empirical study aims mainly to investigate the effect of both dividend payments (DP) and five firm's attributes (firm size, firm leverage, firm performance, legal form and audit quality) on earnings quality (EQ) of the most active listed firms in Egypt. A sample of 552 firm-year observations during four years from 2014 to 2017 was used. Hierarchical Multiple Regression (HMR) was used to regress the six independent variables on firms’ EQ through the absence of firms’ earnings management (EM), which was estimated through discretionary accruals (DAC). Main results show that there is some divergence in EM practices over the four years and might suggest that EM by listed firms in Egypt exists especially in the first two years (2014 and 2015); how¬ever, relatively lower EM practices are found in the last two years (2016 and 2017). Correlation results show a number of significant relationships between the EM and three independent variables (firm leverage, legal form and audit qual...
Research in Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2009
... & Al-Shorman, 2006), two comparative studies conducted to compare IFR in some Gulf Co-ope... more ... & Al-Shorman, 2006), two comparative studies conducted to compare IFR in some Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC) (Ismail, 2002; Joshi & Al-Modhahki, 2003) and other two empirical studies have been accomplished in Egypt (Aly & Simon, 2008; Ezat & El-Masry, 2008). ...
Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance, 2012
International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2013
This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on ... more This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on corporate web sites. Extensive literature examines the determinants of Internet disclosure. The paper extends this literature by examining the relationship between IR disclosure by companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) at their web sites from one side and firm characteristics and corporate governance attributes from the other. An index of 31 items of IR disclosure was used. It was found that of the 40 companies included in this research, 34 (85%) had accessible web sites and of the 34 companies, only 9 (26.47%) companies had a separate section for IR information in their web sites. On average, the level of IR disclosure by Bahraini listed companies is relatively high. The univariate statistics showed that there is a significant association between the dependent variable (IR disclosure index) and most independent variables. This association is positive for firm size, board size, and board composition, while it is negative for firm type and firm performance. The regression analysis provides some support for the results which were already obtained in the univariate tests especially for the board size. * Return on assets was computed from companies' balance sheets of the year ended in Dec. 31, 2008.-Sources of needed data are third party web sites, Bahrain stock exchange, and companies' annual reports of the year ended Dec. 31, 2008. * Significant at the 0.05 level. Group 1: Access to the IR information; Group 2: Timeliness of IR information; Group 3: Financial reports and financial analysis information; and Group 4: CG and social responsibility information. Note: Full regression models in Appendix A.
Afro Asian J of Finance and Accounting, 2010
... His research interests include accounting disclosure, financial reporting, internet financial... more ... His research interests include accounting disclosure, financial reporting, internet financial reporting and accounting standard setting. ... It is a visible example of globalisation and the rise of knowledge economies (Halal and Taylor, 1999; IASC, 1999). ...
This study aims to evaluate the progress of a number of aspects of corporate governance practice ... more This study aims to evaluate the progress of a number of aspects of corporate governance practice by listed companies on the Egyptian exchange and investigates the impact of firm characteristics, on transparency and disclosure, as main pillars of corporate governance. To achieve the study's objectives, the authors selected 12 factors to be used in the evaluation of the progress of corporate governance. In addition to factors selected, a transparency and disclosure index of 65 items was used. Items were grouped into two main categories including "general and board information" and "financial and non-financial information". The paper employs statistical analysis to examine the relationship between firm characteristics from one side and transparency and disclosure from the other. The primary analysis indicates a noticeably weak practice for most of the 12 features included in the CG feature index by Egyptian listed companies and the univariate analysis reveals th...
Online Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures: Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council (G... more Online Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures: Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries
Includes bibliographical references. Thesis (Ph.D.)
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2013
Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and ... more Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance using a sample of 99 of the most active publicly listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX). Design/methodology/approach ‐ Firm performance of the sampled companies was measured by two different accounting measures, namely return on assets "ROA", return on equity "ROE", then the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis and the two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis were employed. Findings ‐ OLS and 2SLS regression analyses show that ownership concentration has significant impact on firm performance when measuring by ROE. Regarding ownership identity, OLS regression analyses by both ROA and ROE show that the overall ownership identity has a significant impact on firm performance, as well as particular types of investors such as funds. Further, ownership identity and firm performance (when measured by ROA) had a signif...
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2013
ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentra... more ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance using a sample of 99 of the most active publicly listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX). Design/methodology/approach ‐ Firm performance of the sampled companies was measured by two different accounting measures, namely return on assets "ROA", return on equity "ROE", then the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis and the two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis were employed. Findings ‐ OLS and 2SLS regression analyses show that ownership concentration has significant impact on firm performance when measuring by ROE. Regarding ownership identity, OLS regression analyses by both ROA and ROE show that the overall ownership identity has a significant impact on firm performance, as well as particular types of investors such as funds. Further, ownership identity and firm performance (when measured by ROA) had a significant endogeneity problem supporting the use of 2SLS as an effective analysis tool for such investigation. Research limitations/implications ‐ Findings of such research may not be generalizable to different countries at different stages of development, or with different business environments and cultures. Also, the sampled companies, 99 Egyptian companies, may be a small number which needs to be extended in a future research. Originality/value ‐ This paper provides an empirical investigation on the association between ownership structure and firm performance in the Egyptian context. It examines the role played by two aspects of ownership structure: the fraction of shares owned by the three largest shareholding interests (ownership concentration) and the fraction of shares owned by different type of shareholders (ownership identity) including seven separate groups of owners.
International Journal of Accounting and Financial Reporting, 2014
This paper investigates some earning attributes (as the value relevance and predictability) of ac... more This paper investigates some earning attributes (as the value relevance and predictability) of accounting information provided under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS ) in the Bahrain Bourse (BHB) and the Muscat Securities Market (MSM). The sample used in this research consists of 280 year-firm observations from 40 different companies listed in BHB; and a total 203 year-firm observations from 29 companies listed in MSM covering the period 2005-11. The findings of the study suggest that, for BHB, the adoption of IFRS leads to improvement in the value relevance of financial reporting contradictory predictability attribute as predictability of accounting information in listed companies of BHB is reduced after the adaption of IFRS. In MSM, the adoption of IFRS captures approximately similar value relevance of accounting information before adoption IFRS, however, predictability of accounting information improves after the adaption of IFRS. It was clear that the IFRS adopt...
International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2013
This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on ... more This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on corporate web sites. Extensive literature examines the determinants of Internet disclosure. The paper extends this literature by examining the relationship between IR disclosure by companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) at their web sites from one side and firm characteristics and corporate governance attributes from the other. An index of 31 items of IR disclosure was used. It was found that of the 40 companies included in this research, 34 (85%) had accessible web sites and of the 34 companies, only 9 (26.47%) companies had a separate section for IR information in their web sites. On average, the level of IR disclosure by Bahraini listed companies is relatively high. The univariate statistics showed that there is a significant association between the dependent variable (IR disclosure index) and most independent variables. This association is positive for firm size, board size, and board composition, while it is negative for firm type and firm performance. The regression analysis provides some support for the results which were already obtained in the univariate tests especially for the board size. * Return on assets was computed from companies' balance sheets of the year ended in Dec. 31, 2008.-Sources of needed data are third party web sites, Bahrain stock exchange, and companies' annual reports of the year ended Dec. 31, 2008. * Significant at the 0.05 level. Group 1: Access to the IR information; Group 2: Timeliness of IR information; Group 3: Financial reports and financial analysis information; and Group 4: CG and social responsibility information. Note: Full regression models in Appendix A.
ABSTRACT Includes bibliographical references. Thesis (Ph.D.)
Investment Management and Financial Innovations
This study contributes to the intellectual capital (IC) area of literature by investigating the i... more This study contributes to the intellectual capital (IC) area of literature by investigating the impact of IC on the firm’s financial performance of two main sectors in the Bahrain Bourse, financial and service sectors, during five years, 2013–2017. The study employs canonical correlation analysis as a unique statistical method to analyze data gathered from 29 sampled companies, representing 145 firm-year observations over the five years. Two groups of variables are employed. The first represents the firm’s financial performance with two variables (return on equity – ROE and return on assets – ROA), while the second includes three intellectual capital components, namely human, customer, and structural capital. Findings related to the financial sector reveal that all IC components (human capital, customer capital, and structural capital) have positive correlations with firm performance except for the labor costs variable (the sub-variable of human capital), which has a negative correl...
Journal of Empirical Research in Accounting & Auditing An International Journal
2012). However, it is critical to re-evaluate the perceived importance of such traditional source... more 2012). However, it is critical to re-evaluate the perceived importance of such traditional sources in the light of the existence of some new sources, "company website" and "specialized websites". The issue of the current study, the perceived sources and various sections of CR, is at present particularly markets including Bahrain and Egypt with practices implemented in last years and the Abstract: information in relation to various investment decisions in two of the emerging markets namely Bahrain and Egypt. It explores how some new sources such as "Company website" and "Specialized websites" stand in relation to other traditional sources. Furthermore, it aims to examine empirically the perceived importance of different sections of the corporate annual report (CR). This study examines the issue from the perspective of three user groups namely "Financial analysts", "Individual investors" and "Institutional investors" as main groups of users employed and personally delivered to a sample of 120 respondents in Bahrain and delivered through the electronic mail to a sample of 180 respondents in Egypt. Descriptive and statistical analysis revealed that "CR" was ranked as "Company website" and "Specialized websites" were highly ranked as the second and third important sources by users in Egypt. However, they received lower ranking by users in Bahrain. Concerning sections of the corporate "CR" by investors in both countries.
International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems
This study seeks to explore determinant factors in smart cities using a sample of 13 countries fr... more This study seeks to explore determinant factors in smart cities using a sample of 13 countries from the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) during the period from 2012 to 2018. The study suggests five determinant factors in smart cities namely, infrastructure; macroeconomic environment; health and education; technological readiness and innovation. These factors are measured using data collected from the Global Competitiveness Report over seven years from 2012 to 2018. To examine significant effects and causal relations between the five factors in smart cities, the study has conducted the path analysis. Two models with different paths are employed. The first has three paths among them one is not significant at the common levels of significance. The second model has four paths which all are statistically significant. Findings of the study reveal that the infrastructure and economy based on smart technology positively affect other factors (the education & health and innovation). In addition, the results demonstrate a high effect of technology readiness and macroeconomic environment as determinant factors in smart cities on other factors namely, health and education and innovation. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study on smart cities conducted in MENA countries to employ path analysis as a unique technique.
Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance
The main aim of this research is to investigate perceptions of respondents (auditors, accountants... more The main aim of this research is to investigate perceptions of respondents (auditors, accountants and financial managers) on the effect of provision of non-audit services (NAS) to audit clients companies upon auditor independence and audit quality. This study expands on previous work done on the effects of providing non-audit services upon auditors' independence and audit quality in Bahrain, which considered as an important subject for both auditing firms and auditing profession. This paper provides insights on the factors which explain the impact of the provision of non-audit services upon auditor independence and audit quality in Bahrain. To achieve the objectives of the research, a questionnaire was prepared and disseminated to a sample of 250 respondents. The results indicate that respondents are supporting the idea that "independence of auditor is impaired with providing non-audit service". Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed that only respondents' occupation is associated with their perceptions. Providing empirical evidence on this issue within the Bahraini environment, as a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, may add a new dimension to the accounting and auditing literature. As the study analysed only one country (Bahrain); generalisation of the results might be a limitation. Future research studies should consider other countries in the region and to include respondents in other non-listed companies with more recent data which may lead to different results.
International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting
Investment Management and Financial Innovations
This empirical study aims mainly to investigate the effect of both dividend payments (DP) and fiv... more This empirical study aims mainly to investigate the effect of both dividend payments (DP) and five firm's attributes (firm size, firm leverage, firm performance, legal form and audit quality) on earnings quality (EQ) of the most active listed firms in Egypt. A sample of 552 firm-year observations during four years from 2014 to 2017 was used. Hierarchical Multiple Regression (HMR) was used to regress the six independent variables on firms’ EQ through the absence of firms’ earnings management (EM), which was estimated through discretionary accruals (DAC). Main results show that there is some divergence in EM practices over the four years and might suggest that EM by listed firms in Egypt exists especially in the first two years (2014 and 2015); how¬ever, relatively lower EM practices are found in the last two years (2016 and 2017). Correlation results show a number of significant relationships between the EM and three independent variables (firm leverage, legal form and audit qual...
Research in Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2009
... & Al-Shorman, 2006), two comparative studies conducted to compare IFR in some Gulf Co-ope... more ... & Al-Shorman, 2006), two comparative studies conducted to compare IFR in some Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC) (Ismail, 2002; Joshi & Al-Modhahki, 2003) and other two empirical studies have been accomplished in Egypt (Aly & Simon, 2008; Ezat & El-Masry, 2008). ...
Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance, 2012
International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2013
This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on ... more This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on corporate web sites. Extensive literature examines the determinants of Internet disclosure. The paper extends this literature by examining the relationship between IR disclosure by companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) at their web sites from one side and firm characteristics and corporate governance attributes from the other. An index of 31 items of IR disclosure was used. It was found that of the 40 companies included in this research, 34 (85%) had accessible web sites and of the 34 companies, only 9 (26.47%) companies had a separate section for IR information in their web sites. On average, the level of IR disclosure by Bahraini listed companies is relatively high. The univariate statistics showed that there is a significant association between the dependent variable (IR disclosure index) and most independent variables. This association is positive for firm size, board size, and board composition, while it is negative for firm type and firm performance. The regression analysis provides some support for the results which were already obtained in the univariate tests especially for the board size. * Return on assets was computed from companies' balance sheets of the year ended in Dec. 31, 2008.-Sources of needed data are third party web sites, Bahrain stock exchange, and companies' annual reports of the year ended Dec. 31, 2008. * Significant at the 0.05 level. Group 1: Access to the IR information; Group 2: Timeliness of IR information; Group 3: Financial reports and financial analysis information; and Group 4: CG and social responsibility information. Note: Full regression models in Appendix A.
Afro Asian J of Finance and Accounting, 2010
... His research interests include accounting disclosure, financial reporting, internet financial... more ... His research interests include accounting disclosure, financial reporting, internet financial reporting and accounting standard setting. ... It is a visible example of globalisation and the rise of knowledge economies (Halal and Taylor, 1999; IASC, 1999). ...
This study aims to evaluate the progress of a number of aspects of corporate governance practice ... more This study aims to evaluate the progress of a number of aspects of corporate governance practice by listed companies on the Egyptian exchange and investigates the impact of firm characteristics, on transparency and disclosure, as main pillars of corporate governance. To achieve the study's objectives, the authors selected 12 factors to be used in the evaluation of the progress of corporate governance. In addition to factors selected, a transparency and disclosure index of 65 items was used. Items were grouped into two main categories including "general and board information" and "financial and non-financial information". The paper employs statistical analysis to examine the relationship between firm characteristics from one side and transparency and disclosure from the other. The primary analysis indicates a noticeably weak practice for most of the 12 features included in the CG feature index by Egyptian listed companies and the univariate analysis reveals th...
Online Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures: Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council (G... more Online Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures: Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries
Includes bibliographical references. Thesis (Ph.D.)
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2013
Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and ... more Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance using a sample of 99 of the most active publicly listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX). Design/methodology/approach ‐ Firm performance of the sampled companies was measured by two different accounting measures, namely return on assets "ROA", return on equity "ROE", then the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis and the two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis were employed. Findings ‐ OLS and 2SLS regression analyses show that ownership concentration has significant impact on firm performance when measuring by ROE. Regarding ownership identity, OLS regression analyses by both ROA and ROE show that the overall ownership identity has a significant impact on firm performance, as well as particular types of investors such as funds. Further, ownership identity and firm performance (when measured by ROA) had a signif...
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2013
ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentra... more ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance using a sample of 99 of the most active publicly listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX). Design/methodology/approach ‐ Firm performance of the sampled companies was measured by two different accounting measures, namely return on assets "ROA", return on equity "ROE", then the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis and the two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis were employed. Findings ‐ OLS and 2SLS regression analyses show that ownership concentration has significant impact on firm performance when measuring by ROE. Regarding ownership identity, OLS regression analyses by both ROA and ROE show that the overall ownership identity has a significant impact on firm performance, as well as particular types of investors such as funds. Further, ownership identity and firm performance (when measured by ROA) had a significant endogeneity problem supporting the use of 2SLS as an effective analysis tool for such investigation. Research limitations/implications ‐ Findings of such research may not be generalizable to different countries at different stages of development, or with different business environments and cultures. Also, the sampled companies, 99 Egyptian companies, may be a small number which needs to be extended in a future research. Originality/value ‐ This paper provides an empirical investigation on the association between ownership structure and firm performance in the Egyptian context. It examines the role played by two aspects of ownership structure: the fraction of shares owned by the three largest shareholding interests (ownership concentration) and the fraction of shares owned by different type of shareholders (ownership identity) including seven separate groups of owners.
International Journal of Accounting and Financial Reporting, 2014
This paper investigates some earning attributes (as the value relevance and predictability) of ac... more This paper investigates some earning attributes (as the value relevance and predictability) of accounting information provided under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS ) in the Bahrain Bourse (BHB) and the Muscat Securities Market (MSM). The sample used in this research consists of 280 year-firm observations from 40 different companies listed in BHB; and a total 203 year-firm observations from 29 companies listed in MSM covering the period 2005-11. The findings of the study suggest that, for BHB, the adoption of IFRS leads to improvement in the value relevance of financial reporting contradictory predictability attribute as predictability of accounting information in listed companies of BHB is reduced after the adaption of IFRS. In MSM, the adoption of IFRS captures approximately similar value relevance of accounting information before adoption IFRS, however, predictability of accounting information improves after the adaption of IFRS. It was clear that the IFRS adopt...
International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2013
This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on ... more This research provides insights into the dissemination of investor relations (IR) information on corporate web sites. Extensive literature examines the determinants of Internet disclosure. The paper extends this literature by examining the relationship between IR disclosure by companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) at their web sites from one side and firm characteristics and corporate governance attributes from the other. An index of 31 items of IR disclosure was used. It was found that of the 40 companies included in this research, 34 (85%) had accessible web sites and of the 34 companies, only 9 (26.47%) companies had a separate section for IR information in their web sites. On average, the level of IR disclosure by Bahraini listed companies is relatively high. The univariate statistics showed that there is a significant association between the dependent variable (IR disclosure index) and most independent variables. This association is positive for firm size, board size, and board composition, while it is negative for firm type and firm performance. The regression analysis provides some support for the results which were already obtained in the univariate tests especially for the board size. * Return on assets was computed from companies' balance sheets of the year ended in Dec. 31, 2008.-Sources of needed data are third party web sites, Bahrain stock exchange, and companies' annual reports of the year ended Dec. 31, 2008. * Significant at the 0.05 level. Group 1: Access to the IR information; Group 2: Timeliness of IR information; Group 3: Financial reports and financial analysis information; and Group 4: CG and social responsibility information. Note: Full regression models in Appendix A.
ABSTRACT Includes bibliographical references. Thesis (Ph.D.)