Abdul Hamid Fatima

Effects of intellectual capital information disclosed in annual reports on market capitalization Evidence from Bursa Malaysia

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effects of intellectual capital (IC) disclosure in the annual reports of listed companies in Bursa Malaysia (BM) on their market capitalization (MCAP).Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses secondary data for listed companies on BM for the years 2002 and 2006. A disclosure index was used to measure the extent of IC information disclosed in the annual reports. The MCAP data were obtained from the Bloomberg database. The data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses.Findings – The paper finds that the extent of IC disclosure by Malaysian‐listed companies has a positive significant effect on their MCAP. In addition, the paper found that there is significant positive impact of the control variables (i.e. book value, net profit, firm size and leverage) on the MCAP.Research limitations/implications – Although the paper was focused on the IC information and MCAP data for two years (i.e. 2002 and 2006), it provides empirical evidence that IC disclosure...

Budgetary participation and performance: some Malaysian evidence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the budgetary participation and performance (BPP) relationship in a public sector organization in a developing country, Malaysia. It also attempts to examine whether organizational commitment and perception of innovation mediate the BPP relationship.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 111 budget managers in the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia, participated in the survey. Response rate was 74 per cent. A path analysis was utilised to examine the direct and indirect effects of budgetary participation on managerial performance.Findings – Budgetary participation affects managerial performance via the mediating variable of organizational commitment but not perception of innovation. There is a direct relationship between budgetary participation, managerial performance, organizational commitment and perception of innovation.Research limitations/implications – This is a study conducted in the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), thus results may not be gener...

Environmental disclosure quality: examining the impact of the stock exchange of Malaysia’s listing requirements

Purpose - – The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental disclosure (ED) quality of public-listed companies (PLCs) in environmentally sensitive industries (ESI) in Malaysia in 2005 and 2009 (two years before and two years after the mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirement of Bursa Malaysia (BM)). BM (The Stock Exchange of Malaysia) has made CSR, including ED in annual reports mandatory since 2007. This study compares environmental reporting (ER) before and after the 2007 mandatory reporting requirement to determine if this command and control mechanism has had any effect on the quality of ED. Design/methodology/approach - – The quality of ED was measured using a disclosure quality index adapted from various prior studies. The index consists of a total of 46 disclosure items grouped into 9 categories. Content analysis was utilized to extract data from the annual reports of 164 PLCs in ESI. Findings - – Overall, the quality of ED improved in 2009 from that of 2005. More importantly, companies disclosed more quantitative environmental information in 2009 than in 2005. However, the average quality of ED was still low in 2009 compared to the overall potential score. Results provide some support for legitimacy as well as institutional theories. Research limitations/implications - – The sample of the study consisted of listed companies in ESI only; the results cannot be generalized to other companies in non-environmentally sensitive sectors. Practical implications - – Prior studies that used data before the mandatory CSR requirement by BM found ED in annual reports mainly declarative in nature, generally low on quality and with little quantifiable data. The results of the present study provide evidence of the positive impact of mandatory environmental reporting on ED quality. Originality/value - – The use of a multi-theoretical perspective may offer a more meaningful explanation of ER behavior in Malaysia. The results of the study would provide the impetus for regulatory agencies in developing countries to perhaps consider legislating ER. The findings provide some evidence to support the influence of legitimacy and institutional factors behind improved ED of Malaysian PLCs. This outcome exhibits a positive influence on the government efforts in promoting sustainability. Finally, the study contributes to present a more up-to-date account of environmental commitment undertaken by Malaysian corporations through their environmental reporting, after the CSR mandatory listing requirement took effect in 2007.

Extent and trend of intellectual capital reporting in Malaysia: empirical evidence

This paper aims to examine the extent of intellectual capital (IC) disclosure in the annual reports of Malaysian listed companies. The paper also aims to investigate the trend of IC disclosure (ICD) in the annual reports in the years 2002 and 2006. A comprehensive disclosure index which includes 101 items was developed to measure the extent of ICD. The paper found that listed companies disclosed, on average, 22% and 24% of IC information in the annual reports for the years 2002 and 2006, respectively. In addition, the paper found that the extent of ICD had significantly increased between the period 2002 and 2006. The paper provides practical implications for the listed companies to understand their ICD practises, hence try to improve it towards greater transparency. In addition, the paper provides empirical evidence to the standard setter, authorities and professional bodies on the current ICD practises of listed companies. Thus, it could help in developing framework and guidelines on ICD to enhance its disclosure. Furthermore, the paper is considered to be the first paper to examine the trend of ICD in the annual reports of listed companies. Moreover, it contributes to the IC literature with the development of a comprehensive ICD index.

An Islamic Perspective on the True and Fair View Override Principle

This paper aims to determine whether the “true and fair view override” (TFVO) principle is relevant and applicable in Islamic accounting. In addition, the paper examines the roles that TFVO could play in Islamic accounting and auditing. A qualitative research method was used based on documentary and textual analysis of the Shari’ah fundamentals (Islamic legal sources) and relevant accounting standards and regulations. The paper found that the TFVO is relevant and applicable in Islamic accounting and auditing and not contradictory to the rules of the Shari’ah. Therefore, the concept is acceptable for use in Islamic accounting. Moreover, based on the several roles played by the TFVO, in the Islamic context, the practicality of this concept in Islamic accounting provides further justification for its continued usage. The findings of the paper provide a basis to support the inclusion of the TFVO in Islamic accounting standards, as well as possible usage by Islamic financial institutions (IFIs). Thus, regulators of IFIs and Islamic accounting standards setting bodies can consider it in their challenging task of standardizing accounting practices due to the different interpretations of transactions from the various Madhahib and multiple accounting concepts and practices. In addition, the discussion in the paper reminds accountants and auditors of IFIs and Islamic organizations that providing a true and fair view (TFV) is paramount; thus an override of inapplicable accounting standards and regulation is allowed, but not Shari’ah. Thus, TFVO can assist accountants to record transactions that reflect the economic reality of the IFIs, especially prior to accounting regulations keeping pace with the rapid business environment. The paper has highlighted a very important issue relating to the TFV, specifically the TFVO, from the Islamic perspective. The paper is considered as the first paper that contextually analyses this issue based on Islamic legal sources using a qualitative approach. In addition, the paper has contributed to the literature in Islamic accounting and auditing.