Mukesh Nepal

Bio: Mukesh Nepal is an academic researcher from Tripura University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Groundwater & Hydrology (agriculture). The author has co-authored 2 publications.

Board Characteristics and Firm Performance: Indian Textiles Sector Panorama:

Abstract: The study has attempted to examine whether the board size and board independence have any impact on the financial performances of the Indian textile firms. Accessing the data of the 40 sample firms...

IFRS and Audit Quality: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract: The study has reviewed the literature on audit quality (AQ) in general and with reference to IFRS in particular for synthesizing the broader issues, the ongoing debates and controversies. A total of 263 papers published by eight global publishers (from June 2005 to 2020) were downloaded from the Tripura University’s digital library, and after rigorous filtering, 88 sample papers were retained. Applying boundaries for screening, it has focused on the continent of studies, objectives, variables, results, publishers and year of publications of the sample cited papers to summarize the research trends. Thus, the current study can spur researchers, practitioners, and academicians to gauge the impact and implications of IFRS on AQ and chart out future research agendas. JEL Classification: M41, M42

Groundwater potential zonation in the Siwalik of the Kankai River Basin, Eastern Nepal

Abstract: For the globally degrading groundwater resources in terms of quantity and quality, proper assessment and management become crucial for their sustainable use. This study aims to delineate the groundwater potential zones using an integrated approach of geographic information system (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the Siwalik of the Kankai River Basin, Eastern Nepal. Different thematic layers like hydrogeomorphology, land use/land cover, lithology, slope, topographic wetness index, drainage density, normalized difference vegetation index, lineament density, and aspect were prepared and processed with suitable weights on Saaty's scale. The delineated groundwater potential zones in the study area were categorized as low, moderate, and high. The results showed that approximately 49.38% (130.85 km2) of the total study area has a low potential for groundwater. The moderate zone includes approximately 35.5% (94.07 km2) and the high potential zone includes only 15.05% (39.88 km2) of the area. The potential map was validated with a 70.6% prediction rate using the spatial distribution of the springs in the area. The analysis shows that hydrogeomorphology, LULC, and lithology have a significant control on the occurrences of groundwater. The study signifies the scarcity of groundwater resources, which needs a better management plan and strategies for sustainable use.

Do IFRS convergence affects firm performance? Picturing Indian-listed manufacturing firms

Abstract: PurposeThe study has endeavored to assay the nexus between the converged version of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the performance of the Indian-listed manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study has randomly accessed the data of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) listed Indian manufacturing firms using the Prowess IQ database. It has covered 2014–2016 as pre-IFRS and 2017–2020 as the post-IFRS convergence period. Moreover, the study has followed a longitudinal research design with cross-sectional time-series data and has used the difference-in-difference (DiD) technique to assess the effect of the IFRS convergence on firm performance (FP).FindingsThe results have indicated that the adoption of the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) has unlikely reported better FP. It has concurred policy implications as full adoption rather than convergence could reap the benefits of the IFRS.Originality/valueIt has contributed to the existing body of knowledge by assaying the effect of the IFRS convergence on FP in developing economies like India using the DiD methodology. The study is an original piece of research and is free from plagiarism.

Hydro-geochemical characterization and suitability analysis of spring water of the Mai Khola Watershed, Ilam, eastern Nepal

Abstract: The interaction of different physical and chemical factors as well as anthropogenic activities influences the chemistry of groundwater. The hydro-geochemical assessment of the groundwater is the basic part of the water resources management and its assessment in regards to its usability is considered vital. The study involves the measurement of physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, EH, DO, TDS) of the observed 147 springs and the ionic concentration of the representative 32 springs along the Mai Khola Watershed using standard analytical procedure. The results of the physicochemical parameters and ionic concentration were analysed and interpreted using different indices and graphical methods. The physicochemical parameter suggests that spring water is weakly acidic to alkaline and the measured EC and TDS suggest low interaction of rocks and water therein. The piper diagram indicates Ca2+ and Mg2+ together (alkaline earth metals) dominate over combined Na+ and K+ (alkali metals) and Cl- and SO42- (strong acids) predominate over HCO3- (weak ones). The Gibbs plot also satisfies the movement of groundwater from the precipitation domain to the rock-water interaction domain. The groundwater in this area is derived from a shallow aquifer with low rock-water interaction and the water is good for drinking purpose and excellent to good for irrigation. The spring water in the study area possesses no threat to quality deterioration, however proper management and conservation plans are required to maintain the quality of the water.

Does Financial Leverage Mediates Corporate Governance and Firm Performance?

Abstract: This research aims to explore the impact of corporate governance on firm performance while considering financial leverage as a mediating variable. This study was conducted in the non-financial sector of Pakistan, and data was collected from financial statements. A sample of 150 firms was selected from those registered on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during the period of 2011–2021. Results show that corporate governance is associated with firm performance. Board size has a positive relationship with firm performance; as board size increases, the performance of the firm also increases. Board independence is positively and significantly associated with firm performance. Audit committee size is also positively associated with firm performance. Female directors on the board are also associated with positive firm performance. Board independence, board size, audit committee, and female directorship were positively associated with financial leverage. Corporate governance protects the interest of shareholders and transfers risk from shareholders to debt holders. Results show that corporate governance enhances the financial distress cost by enhancing the debt ratio in the financial leverage. Financial leverage partially mediates the board size and board independence with firm performance, while audit committee size and female directorship relationship with firm performance are fully mediated.

Determinant Factors of Corporate Governance on Company Performance: Mediating Role of Capital Structure

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of capital structure as mediating variable in the relationship between corporate governance and company performance. Data for this study was obtained from financial statements and was done in Indonesia’s non-financial sector. From among the companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between 2017 and 2021, 15 companies were chosen as a sample. Findings show that corporate governance (board independence, board size, and audit committee) were significantly associated with capital structure and company performance, but gender diversity has an insignificant relationship with capital structure and company performance. Moreover, this research found that capital structure is not able to mediate the effect of corporate governance (board independence, board size, audit committee, and gender diversity) on company performance.

Determinant Factors of Corporate Governance on Company Performance: Mediating Role of Capital Structure

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of capital structure as mediating variable in the relationship between corporate governance and company performance. Data for this study was obtained from financial statements and was done in Indonesia’s non-financial sector. From among the companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between 2017 and 2021, 15 companies were chosen as a sample. Findings show that corporate governance (board independence, board size, and audit committee) were significantly associated with capital structure and company performance, but gender diversity has an insignificant relationship with capital structure and company performance. Moreover, this research found that capital structure is not able to mediate the effect of corporate governance (board independence, board size, audit committee, and gender diversity) on company performance.

Firm performance, vertical agency crisis and corporate governance of Indian listed companies

Abstract: PurposeThis study aims to examine the influence of corporate governance variables on firm performance and also to find out whether the corporate governance mechanism is capable of mitigating the vertical agency crisis. Here the researcher uses corporate governance mechanisms such as board meeting frequency, board independence, percentage of non-executive directors, percentage of woman directors on board and the board size to measure the firm performance and, at the same time, tries to mitigate the agency crisis, which is measured through return on asset and asset turnover ratio.Design/methodology/approachThe present study considers period from 2009 to 2020 with data corresponding to a panel of 271 non-financial firms listed in 500 NSE index, India. The study introduces a panel regression model to analyze the data collected from the sample firms.FindingsThe study detects a positive as well as a statistically significant relationship between board size and vertical agency cost. The study also observes a negative relationship between board independence and agency cost. Further, the study finds a positive relationship between corporate governance variables and firm performance, though it is non-significant.Originality/valueAs the study progresses, the study detects a negative relationship between non-executive directors and agency costs. This study tries to give policy prescription to the corporate policymaker regarding various measures to be taken by the firm for the improvement of firm performance and reduction of owner and manager conflict inside the company. The study fills the literature gap by revealing a significant relationship between corporate governance, vertical agency crisis and firm performance.

The moderating role of board gender diversity in association of board characteristics and firm value

Abstract: How to cite this paper: Anas, M., Jamal, M. T., Ahmad, M. M., Azmi, S. N., & Alam, M. F. (2022). The moderating role of board gender diversity in association of board characteristics and firm value. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, 6 (2), 29–41. The present study investigates the relationship between board characteristics and a firm value. The study offers new insight into the association between board characteristics and a firm value by examining whether board gender diversity alters the impact of board characteristics on a firm value. The study uses panel data approach on a sample of 39 non-financial firms listed in the S&P BSE SENSEX 50 over 6 years (2014–2015 to 2019–2020). An appropriate model between fixed effect and the random effect was selected using the Hausman test first and two separate regressions were run later, showing the direct effect of board characteristics on firm value, and change in the effect of board characteristics on firm value when board gender diversity was put as a moderator. Consistent with the previous findings (Field, Lowry, & Mkrtchyan, 2013; Vo & Bui, 2017; Gulzar, Haque, & Khan, 2020), the study reveals that board busyness has a significant and positive effect on Tobin‘s Q only, whereas, board meetings and board gender diversity are the factors that leave a significant negative effect on both return on assets (ROA) and Tobin‘s Q. In contrast to existing literature (Chin, Ganesan, Pitchay, Haron, & Hendayani, 2019), we found that the board gender diversity positively moderates the association of board size and board meetings with Tobin‘s Q and ROA, respectively.