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Item Embargo The Intellectual Structure in University Social Responsibility Research: A Bibliometric Analysis(Elsevier, 2025-04-05) Batra, Shallu; Yadav, Mahender; Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph; Saini, Mohit; Danso, AlbertUniversity social responsibility (USR) is an emerging concept in business and social science research that pertains to the broader responsibilities of higher education organizations in contemporary societies. Although USR research has grown substantially, focusing on higher education institutions' roles in addressing global grand challenges, a comprehensive synthesis of the literature remains limited. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding regarding the diverse scholarly contributions to the field. To address these gaps, this study presents a systematic review of USR literature. Using bibliometric analysis of 288 articles published, we identify the core themes of USR research, including environmental sustainability, civic and community engagement, capacity building, equality and inclusion, social responsibility in teaching and learning, governance, and accountability. We also illustrate how research trends have evolved over time. This study offers a holistic review of the USR domain and identifies five clusters that characterize the current literature: (1) Engagement, (2) Students’ Perceptions, (3) Disclosure, (4) Student Satisfaction and USR, and (5) The Role of USR in the University’s Reputation. The implications of these findings are examined.Item Open Access Analysing the barriers to renewable energy adoption in Ghana using Delphi and a fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach(Elsevier, 2025-02-16) James, Gregory Alexandre; Ahiabor, Frederick Senanu; Abalo, Emmanuel MawuliThis study investigates the critical barriers to renewable energy adoption in Ghana, where reliable and sustainable energy access remains critical to achieving development goals and addressing climate change. Drawing from the existing literature, 44 barriers were identified and grouped into six categories: policy, institutional, economic/financial, structural/technical, political/legal/regulatory, and social. A two-round Delphi survey was implemented to gather consensus among 17 Ghanaian experts on renewable energy and climate change, resulting in 22 of the statements reaching consensus. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) was used to rank these barriers based on their relative and overall importance in impeding the adoption of RE. The results show that policy, economic/financial, and institutional barriers are Ghana's main barriers to RE adoption. Key impediments include the lack of market-driven support, high commercial rates, and issues related to land litigation and availability. The study recommends regulatory and policy changes incorporating market-driven strategies and subsidies, and prioritising renewable energy in Ghana's power mix. Additionally, there is a need for training and awareness programmes to enhance social acceptance of RE sources.Item Open Access Mapping in-work poverty and debt in Leicester: An insight into its scale, antecedents, challenges and solution(2025-02-14) Igudia, Eghosa; Dalziel, Nurdilek; Cartwright, EdwardIn-work poverty (IWP) is prevalent in East Midlands with consequences for individuals and the regional economy. Accounting for more than half of child poverty, IWP is a critical issue that needs urgent attention. IWP is likely to become more acute during rising cost and economic crisis. Yet, it’s not widely known or measured in the UK. Therefore, in this report, we present a summary of findings from our research, which mapped IWP in Leicester and offer insights into its scope, antecedents, challenges and the ways in which we can support people who are subject to IWP.Item Embargo Corporate Social Responsibility, Related Party Transaction and Earnings Management: Evidence from India(Springer, 2025-02-07) Mishra, Rohan Kumar; Kwabi, Frank; Chandra, AbhijeetWe examine the interplay between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and related party transactions (RPT). We find that while RPTs increase CSR expenditure overall, business RPTs specifically lead to higher CSR spending, while tone RPTs tend to decrease it. Further analysis shows that CSR expenditure is expropriated through earnings management for firms that have significant RPT. We also document that high ownership concentration reduces CSR expenditure. Our results are robust to the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model, Heckman two-step selection model, and several other robustness tests. The study extends the understanding of relationships between CSR and RPT and how earnings management activities and ownership concentration can affect the interplay. Policymakers should implement measures to restrict RPT misuse and establish robust monitoring mechanisms. Indian firms should strengthen corporate governance frameworks to improve transparency in RPT oversight, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals.Item Metadata only Moving Toward the Expansion of Energy Storage Systems in Renewable Energy Systems—A Techno-Institutional Investigation with Artificial Intelligence Consideration(MDPI, 2024-11-14) Razmjoo, Armin; Ghazanfari, Arezoo; Ostergaard, Poul Alberg; Jahangiri, Mehdi; Sumper, Andreas; Ahmadzadeh, Sahar; Eslamipoor, RezaThe role of energy storage as an effective technique for supporting energy supply is impressive because energy storage systems can be directly connected to the grid as stand-alone solutions to help balance fluctuating power supply and demand. This comprehensive paper, based on political, economic, sociocultural, and technological analysis, investigates the transition toward electricity systems with a large capacity for renewable energy sources combined with energy storage systems (ESS), along with a comprehensive overview of energy storage technologies; the role of AI in the development of ESS is also presented. This study aims to demonstrate how energy storage systems can be implemented with successful integration to increase electric grid flexibility. The results of the study indicate that this goal can be achieved with suitable planning and cooperation by the national, provincial, and local governments, while taking into account stakeholders’ needs and environmental concerns. In this regard, comprehensive analysis has revealed that procedures such as planning, increasing rewards for renewable energy storage, technological innovation, expanding subsidies, and encouraging investment in infrastructure for renewable energy and large-scale battery storage are crucial for the development of energy storage systems. Furthermore, stakeholders should be able to comprehend the benefits of energy storage systems and their provided valuable services, and engage in the adoption process. Moreover, leveraging AI can significantly enhance the implementation and operation of energy storage systems in energy systems, enabling governments and policymakers to optimize the storage and distribution of energy from renewable sources.Item Metadata only The Impact of Market Power on Capital Misallocation: A Total Factor Productivity Perspective(MDPI, 2024-11-27) Lu, Yuhao; Wang, Shulin; Pillalamarri, SudarshanThe proper allocation of corporate capital is critical to sustainable business development, and misallocation of resources can impede sustainable economic growth and competitive markets. This study investigates the relationship between market power and capital misallocation in Chinese A-share listed companies, with a novel focus on the mediating role of total factor productivity (TFP). Using a comprehensive dataset of 20,818 firm-year observations from 2009 to 2021, we employ linear regression analysis to elucidate the mechanisms through which market power influences capital allocation efficiency. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between market power and capital misallocation, with TFP partially mediating this relationship. Specifically, a one-unit increase in the market power index is associated with a 1.106 unit decrease in TFP, and a 0.028 unit increase in the capital misallocation, indicating potential threats to long-term sustainability. This effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, firms located in eastern regions, and those without shareholdings in financial institutions. These results contribute to the literature on market structure and resource allocation by providing empirical evidence of the detrimental effects of market power on capital allocation efficiency, operating through the channel of reduced productivity. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and firm managers, suggesting the need for targeted antitrust measures, promotion of market competition, and strategies to enhance TFP. This research advances our understanding of the complex interplay between market power, productivity, and capital allocation in emerging economies, offering valuable insights for addressing market failures, improving allocative efficiency and actively promoting sustainable business and sustainable socio-economic development in the Chinese context.Item Open Access Intragenerational occupational mobility: the effect of crisis and overeducation on career mobility in a segmented labour market(Public Sector Economic, 2025-03-01) Luong, Tuan Anh; Kitsoleris, GeorgiosThis paper explores occupational and employment mobility over the previous decade in Greece and contributes to a better understanding of the consequences of the crisis. Our findings suggest that downward mobility was the common trend in intra-generational occupational mobility during the first period of the crisis. Significant changes occurred between 2011-2015. The recovery is apparent during the third bailout program with higher upward occupational and employment movements. However, polarization in the middle-paid professions was noticed. In addition, this paper highlights the role of education in career mobility and the problem of overeducation. The empirical results reveal that tertiary graduates were more likely to move downward during the first period of the crisis even though overeducated workers had more possibilities to experience upward mobility. Overeducation in Greece seems to be the result of the increasing number of tertiary graduates, low proportion of high-skilled job positions and high levels of unemployment.Item Embargo Professionalisation, Power and Empire: Accountancy in British India, 1913 to 1932(Elsevier, 2025-01-23) Verma, Shraddha; Sian, SukiIn most non-white British colonies, the professionalisation process did not begin until political independence had been achieved and a path established to accomplish the indigenisation of national institutions. However, the case of India stands out as the only such colony in which Indian accountants were already in practice and the professionalisation process was already in train well before independence was achieved in 1947. This study examines key developments in the professionalisation of accountancy in British India from 1913 to 1932. Through the examination of archival data, the study explores the complexity of engagement between actors in the accounting field in this period in relation to the promulgation of audit legislation. Drawing on Bourdieu’s work, the study focusses on what was at stake for each group in the accounting field and draws attention to the power differentials that contributed to the acquiescence of Indian practitioners as they navigated the new regulations for auditors imposed by the British Government of India.Item Embargo Terror and Wealth: How Does Terrorism Affect Global Business-Class Travel.(Taylor and Francis, 2025-12-02) Zhou, Zhou; Zheng, Wang; Godwin, OkaforUsing a country-month-level data set that links passenger flows with reports on terrorist attacks, this paper provides the first quantitative assessment of the impact of terrorist attacks on inbound international business-class travel. Behavioural theories suggest that international people flows are sensitive to predicted risks. The findings reveal that terrorist incidents significantly reduce business-class arrivals, with effects persisting up to six months post-attack, consistent with our theoretical expectations about sustained risk perception and avoidance behaviour. Importantly, we find that institutional quality substantially moderates terrorism-induced travel disruptions, supporting our theoretical prediction about the institutional moderation of risk perception. Our findings advance both theoretical understanding of how terrorism affects high-value international mobility and practical insights for institutional development in maintaining travel flows during security crisesItem Metadata only Does Economic Policy Uncertainty Explain Exchange Rate Movements in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): A Panel ARDL Approach(MDPI, 2023-11-01) Korley, Maud; Giouvris, EvangelosResearch proposes that economic policy uncertainty (EPU) leads to exchange rate fluctuations. Given that African countries experience higher levels of uncertainty in developed/emerging markets, we examine the extent to which domestic and foreign EPU affect exchange rates for a panel of 12 ECOWAS countries covering the period 1996–2018. In order to account for non-stationarity, cross-sectional dependence, and heterogeneity, the paper employs the dynamic heterogeneous panel approach. The ECOWAS has a dual currency arrangement ranging from a common currency union (CFA) to floating exchange rates (Non-CFA). To account for this, this study splits the sample data into CFA and Non-CFA areas. In addition, this study considers the role of the global financial crisis in the exchange rate-EPU nexus. Our results show that domestic EPU has a positive effect on exchange rates in the long run for Non-CFA areas. Different from the existing literature, our results suggest that domestic EPU does not explain exchange rate fluctuations in the short run. For all countries, foreign EPU leads to appreciation in the long run and depreciation in the short run. Interestingly, foreign EPU has a more dominant effect on exchange rate fluctuations in the selected countries than domestic EPU. This may reflect the weak institutional framework in these countries, which allows external fluctuations to have a greater impact. Moreover, this could be attributed to the increase in foreign capital flows during the sample period. Thus, these countries must develop effective policies to effectively absorb these external shocks. Results are robust to different proxies of EPU.Item Metadata only Oil price fluctuations and their impact on oil-exporting emerging economies(Elsevier, 2024-01-29) Agboola, Emmanuel; Chowdhury, Rosen; Yang, BoHow do oil price fluctuations affect economic activity and policy in the context of oil-exporting emerging economies? Past research suggests that the output responses to oil price innovations are asymmetric in nature but does not directly test the asymmetry in the government expenditure adjustments triggered by the shock. Moreover, many studies quantifying these asymmetric responses are fraught with methodological concerns. This paper assesses the empirical relevance of such asymmetries by studying how output and government expenditure respond to oil price shocks. Our estimation, employing unbiased methodologies, allows us to be agnostic regarding asymmetries in the responses depending on the direction and size of the shock. Using data for a diverse group of emerging economies, we find substantial evidence for the presence of asymmetries. Country-specific factors and/or fiscal stabilization incentives are possible explanations for the asymmetric responses. We draw policy recommendations for understanding the growth process specific to resource-rich emerging economies.Item Embargo Connectedness among diverse financial assets: Evidence from cryptocurrency uncertainty indices(Elsevier, 2024-11-18) Batra, S.; Tiwari, A. K.; Yadav, M.; Danso, AlbertThis study examines the impact of cryptocurrency uncertainty indices on green bonds, currency, and commodity markets by using weekly data from January 1, 2014, to December 30, 2022. The study analyzes such relationships employing the time-varying robust Granger-Causality test coupled with the TVP-VAR-DY approach. The empirical findings unfold the heterogeneous effects of uncertainty indices toward diverse financial instruments pronounced during financial or economic turbulence. The DY approach indicates that total connectedness among financial assets varies significantly over time. The green bond market is the net receiver, while ishares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) indices transmit the shocks for the whole period. The findings suggest that holdings in the green bond market after the health crisis offer greater hedging opportunities to investors. The results have significant ramifications for financing, hedging, and policymaking.Item Metadata only Mechanisms for implementing fossil fuel divestment in portfolio management with impact on risk, return and carbon reduction(Elsevier, 2024-07-03) Marupanthorn, Pasin; Nikitopoulos, Christina S.; Ofosu-Hene, Eric D.; Peters, Gareth W.; Richards, Kylie-AnneItem Metadata only Leadership in a social dilemma: Does it matter if the leader is pro-social or just says they are pro-social?(Wiley, 2024-10-29) Cartwright, Edward; Chai, Yidan; Xue, LianPrevious studies have shown that pro-social leaders cooperate, on average, more than pro-self leaders in social dilemmas. It can, thus, be beneficial for the group to have a pro-social leader. In this paper we analyze the consequences of a leader informing followers that they are pro-social (or pro-self). In doing so, we compare a setting in which the leader's type is truthfully revealed to settings where the leader can ‘hide’ or ‘lie’ about their pro-sociality. We find that a leader saying they are pro-social boosts efficiency, even if the signal is not fully credible. Cooperation is highest in a truth setting with a pro-social leader. We demonstrate that these results are consistent with a belief-based model of social preference in which the stated type of the leader changes the frame of reference for followers.Item Embargo Ownership Structure, Corporate Governance Disclosure, and the Moderating Effect of CEO Power: Evidence from East Africa(Taylor and Francis, 2024-11-02) Fulgence, Samuel; Boateng, Agyenim; Kwabi, FrankThis study examines the effect of ownership structure (classified as concentrated, institutional, and managerial ownership) on corporate governance (CG) disclosure. Using a sample of 96 East African firms, we document that, whereas concentrated ownership has a negative effect, institutional ownership has a positive and significant association with CG disclosure. However, we find the effect of managerial ownership on CG disclosure to be negative and insignificant. We also find CEO power to moderate the link between ownership structure and CG disclosure. Further analysis indicates that, whereas the effects of institutional and concentrated ownerships on CG disclosure remain unchanged irrespective of a firm’s debt levels, the effect of managerial ownership on CG disclosure is driven by external pressures associated with debt financing. Our findings provide evidence on how different ownership types have different preferences, thereby influencing corporate disclosure practices differently. Our results are robust to the two-stage system generalised method of moments (SGMM) and other alternative sensitivity tests.Item Embargo Corporate Board Reform and Capital Structure Dynamics: Evidence from UK(Springer, 2024-10-15) Ezeani, Ernest; Fulgence, Samuel; Hu, Wansu; Kwabi, Frank; Chizindu, WonuTheoretical arguments suggest that corporate board reform will influence firms' capital structure choices. Consistent with this argument, we examine the impact of corporate board reform on the capital structure dynamics of UK firms. Using 12,384 firm-year observations between 2006 and 2020, we provide evidence of a higher speed of adjustment (SOA) after board reform. Using an additional analysis, we find that firms with higher agency costs (in the pre-reform phase) are more likely to implement the monitoring effect of debt. Also, our decomposition analysis shows that firms increased both short-term and long-term debt after the board reform, suggesting that improved board monitoring positively impacts firm leverage. Our results are robust to alternative leverage proxies and batteries of robustness tests.Item Open Access Collecting badges: Understanding the gold rush for business excellence awards(Wiley, 2022-03-02) Asante, Shadrack; Sarpong, David; Bi, Jianxiang; Mordi, ChimaBusiness excellence awards (BEAs) have become all too commonplace. Entering and winning one has now become part of contemporary organising. However, scholarly work examining these awards remains scattered, with the dominant narrative focusing on what could even be described as the intense obsession with award ceremonies. In this paper, we articulate the mechanisms through which the dual demands for managing competitive pressures and achieving competitive advantage drive organisations to enter these awards. In doing this, we integrate and expand upon prior work to explicate an integrative framework for examining how the interactions between various contextual and environmental factors may induce organisations to enter BEAs and the potential outcomes, particularly for those who win or are shortlisted for these awards. We go on to present a set of propositions constituting a contribution, after which our study's implications for the theory and practice of BEAs are outlined.Item Metadata only A stochastic Fermatean fuzzy-based multi-choice conic goal programming approach for sustainable supply chain management in end-of-life buildings(Elsevier, 2022-12-05) Deliktaş, Derya; Karagoz, Selman; Simić, Vladimir; Aydin, NezirDue to natural disasters, urban transformations and many other factors, sustainable end-of-life buildings (ELBs) waste management is gaining importance within the last decades, which is vigorous for both economic and conservation matters. Turkey is located on active zones in terms of natural disasters and faced numerous destructive events. Therefore, the government initiated a program to renew the ELBs. Even though several studies analyzed post-disaster debris management, there are not many studies focusing on pre-disaster debris management. Thus, this study proposes a two-stage stochastic model to optimize the supply chain network of ELBs and manage the debris stemmed from the destruction of the ELBs. With this aim, the criteria and the alternatives for evaluating the objectives are defined, experts’ evaluations for objectives are integrated into the model, Fermatean fuzzy-based weighting approach is introduced to transfer the experts’ views on the importance of the objectives, and the stochastic Fermatean fuzzy-based multi-choice conic goal programming (FF-MCCGP) and the revised-MCGP methods are used to provide optimal facility locations, and the amount of debris to transfer within the network. The stochastic FF-MCCGP approach outperforms the revised-MCGP in most cases, where they are compared. Furthermore, a sustainable management strategy is offered to control the economic, pollution, land-use stress and population health factors. This study is one of the pioneer studies that eases the consequences of diseases, urban transformation, wars, and other factors by considering the renewal of ELBs, and method can be upgraded dynamically regarding the potential needs and conditions as it offers a global road map.Item Metadata only Political risk, hedge fund strategies, and returns: Evidence from G7 countries(Elsevier, 2022-10-21) Rungmaitree, Pattamon; Boateng, Agyenim; Ahiabor, Frederick; Lu, QinyeIn this study, we examine the effects of political risk across a group of seven industrialised countries (G7) on hedge fund returns and further explore whether the effects of political risk on hedge fund returns vary according to hedge fund strategies employed by fund managers. Employing factor analysis to quantify political risk across the G7 countries, our results evince two interesting aspects. First, we find political risk to exert a negative and significant impact on hedge fund returns, suggesting that hedge fund performance tends to decrease as political risks across G7 nations increase. Second, the effects of political risk on hedge fund returns appear to vary with different hedge fund strategies employed by fund managers. Our results appear robust after employing three different analytical approaches and controlling a set of factors previously identified to affect hedge fund returns.Item Open Access CEO hubris and corporate carbon footprint: The role of gender diversity(Wiley, 2024-08-12) Kwabi, Frank; Fulgence, Samuel; Adamolekun, GbengaThis paper investigates the effect of an overconfident CEO on firm greenhouse gas emissions. Using panel data of 160,115 firm‐year observations from 41 countries for 2000–2021, we find a negative relationship between CEO overconfidence and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, drawing on the theories of gender socialisation and diversity, we find that great representation of females on the board further compels overconfident CEOs to reduce firm carbon emissions. Our findings are robust to varying estimation techniques and identification strategies. These findings offer important insights to green investors, corporate boards, managers and policymakers on the role of overconfident CEOs and female leadership in the carbon abatement efforts of public companies.