Purpose This study aims to measure the extent of voluntary risk disclosure and examine the relationship between corporate governance firm level quality in the form of board characteristics and ownership concentration’s impact on risk disclosure in the annual reports of Indian listed companies. Design/methodology/approach The method adopted in this study is automated content analysis, which is applied to a sample of 100 listed Indian non-financial companies to find out the extent of risk disclosure. Further, multiple linear regressions have been applied to find out the relationship between corporate governance firm level quality in the form of board characteristics, ownership concentration and risk disclosure. Findings The findings reveal that the total number of positive risk keywords surpasses negative risk keywords disclosure. The corporate governance mainsprings, namely, board size and gender diversity have a positively significant effect on risk disclosure, whereas ownership concentration in the hands of the largest shareholder insignificantly affects risk disclosure, but identity of the largest shareholder having ownership concentration negatively affects disclosure of risk information in the case of Indian promoter body corporate, foreign promoter body corporate and non-institutions in comparison to family ownership. Research limitations/implications This study relied on a set of 39 risk keywords for measuring the extent of risk disclosure. Further, it uses a sample of 100 companies to examine the effect of corporate governance on risk disclosure at one point of time. However, a longitudinal study can help in understanding risk disclosure adopted by Indian listed companies in a better manner. Practical implications The findings have implications for regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India, which needs to strengthen corporate governance norms with respect to board characteristics and keep a check on ownership concentration for improving risk disclosure by companies. Originality/value To best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is a preliminary attempt linking two research lines in India, that is, corporate risk disclosure and corporate governance quality in the form of board characteristics and ownership concentration. The study identifies corporate governance firm level qualities which lead to divulgation of risk information by the companies pointing towards strengthening of regulatory regime in the country for improved corporate governance regulations adopted by listed companies.

PurposeThe current exploratory study is an attempt to discover the factors affecting a bank's decision to adopt Internet banking in India. Particularly, it seeks to examine the relationship between the bank's adoption decision and various bank and market characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this study consist of panel data of 88 banks in India covering the financial years 1997‐1998 to 2004‐2005. Logistic regression technique is employed to study the relationship.FindingsThe results show that the larger banks, banks with younger age, private ownership, higher expenses for fixed assets, higher deposits and lower branch intensity evidence a higher probability of adoption of this new technology. Banks with lower market share also see the Internet banking technology as a means to increase the market share by attracting more and more customers through this new channel of delivery. Further, the adoption of Internet banking by other banks increases the probability that a decision to adopt will be made.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary limitation of this study is the scope and size of its sample as well as other variables (e.g. market, environmental, regulatory etc.) which may have an effect on the decision of the banks to adopt Internet banking.Originality/valueAn understanding of the factors affecting this choice is essential both for economists studying the determinants of growth and for the creators and producers of such technologies. From this perspective, understanding the factors determining the adoption of technology becomes highly relevant from the policy point of view. Moreover, the studies on the adoption of financial innovations are related to developed markets, e.g. US or European banking markets. Hence, this paper contributes to the empirical literature on diffusion of financial innovations, particularly Internet banking, in a developing country, i.e. India.

Research on any topic seems incomplete till the time a standardized measure for it is not evolved. Measuring intangible assets seems to be a challenging core for the financial academia. More specifically, assigning value to company’s reputation is subjective which confound researchers around the globe. Despite prolific research into this issue, its measurement still baffles the scholars, practitioners, and managers. Although large number of survey methods (like Fortune Most Admired Companies [FMAC] list) have been used extensively, but certain serious limitations of these methods, finally paved way for quantitative tools to measure corporate reputation. An endeavour has been made through current study to compile the efforts of various researchers, who developed proxies for measuring corporate reputation. Reputation of 500 Indian companies constituting BSE 500 index has been measured using six proxies, and Spearman correlation is computed among these proxies. It is interesting to observe that Indian companies are able to maintain their reputation over the years. The findings of the study clearly reveal that reputation research still lacks a concrete measurement. It is high time for the accounting standard setters to devise a framework for measuring and reporting corporate reputation as it has been widely acclaimed as an indispensable asset.

Purpose The center of concern of this empirical paper is the connection between chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics and firm performance. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The paper inquires into the hypothesis on the relationship between CEO characteristics (demographic and professional) and accounting measures of firm value. The study is based on second-hand information comprising of Nifty 500 firms for a period of five years ranging from 2012 to 2016. Panel regressions are run on the final sample composed of 1,535 observations to test the hypothesized relationship. Findings The stated findings specify that long-tenured CEOs and firms led by female CEOs are negatively related to firm performance. Moreover, the authors find that the greater the CEO share ownership, higher the firm performance stands. Further, duality and foreign CEOs make a significant contribution when firm value is based on ROA. Results also show that CEO outside directorships have a noteworthy positive relationship with ROE. Research limitations/implications The findings are limited to non-financial listed companies of the index. Future research can also experiment with financial and unlisted companies to have a different perspective. Practical implications The study may provide worthwhile insights to shareholders as they largely seek to hire the most capable CEOs with the relevant combination of skills to achieve shareholders’ goals and improve the Indian competitive power in the global market. Originality/value This paper provides a comprehensive picture by inculcating different CEO traits especially in a progressing nation like India with a unique set of economic, political and cultural environment.

The centre of interest of this research article is the association between chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics and firm performance. Employing a sample of Nifty 500 firms, the support found recommends that demographic and job-related characteristics may be related with the firm's financial performance. We consider CEO gender, duality, nationality, remuneration and education level as CEO characteristics and we employ return on assets (ROA) as a representative for firm performance. This study widens the understanding of the important function played by the CEO and provides better insight into CEO-specific variables. Specifically, the reported findings specify a positive relationship between CEO remuneration and firm performance, thus indicating that compensation acts as a good inducement for executives to yield finer firm performance while CEO nationality appears to inhibit it, steering foreign directors to a minority spot. This implies that remuneration should be more thoughtfully attached to performance, so that proficient CEOs are not lured by more tempted compensation elsewhere and the decision to engage foreign nationals to company boards must be based on norms other than the firm's future financial performance.

Purpose -This exploratory study is an attempt to present the present status of Internet banking in India and the extent of Internet banking services offered by Internet banks. In addition, it seeks to examine the factors affecting the extent of Internet banking services. Design/methodology/approach -The data for this study are based on a survey of bank websites explored during July 2008. The sample consists of 82 banks operating in India at 31 March 2007. Multiple regression technique is employed to explore the determinants of the extent of Internet banking services. Findings -The results show that the private and foreign Internet banks have performed well in offering a wider range and more advanced services of Internet banking in comparison with public sector banks. Among the determinants affecting the extent of Internet banking services, size of the bank, experience of the bank in offering Internet banking, financing pattern and ownership of the bank are found to be significant.Research limitations/implications -The primary limitation of the study is the scope and size of its sample as well as other variables (e.g. market, environmental, regulatory etc.) which may have an effect on the decision of the banks to offer a wide range of Internet banking services. Originality/value -The purpose of the study is to help fill significant gaps in knowledge about the Internet banking landscape in India. The findings are expected to be of great use to the government, regulators, commercial banks, other financial institutions, e.g. co-operative banks planning to offer Internet banking, bank customers and researchers. The bankers as well as society at large will come to know where the banks lag in terms of adoption of Internet banking and in providing different products and services. An understanding of the factors affecting the extent of Internet banking services is essential both for economists studying the determinants of growth and for the creators and producers of such technologies. Moreover, this paper contributes to the empirical literature on diffusion of financial innovations, particularly Internet banking, in a developing country, i.e. India.

The paper investigates the possible determinants of underpricing and the long-run performance of 438 Indian initial public offerings (IPOs) listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange during June 1992 – March 2001. The mean underpricing has been found to be 99.20 per cent, which is very high if compared with the international evidence. Age of the firm, listing delay at IPO and number of times the issue is subscribed have been found to be the important determinants of underpricing. Indian IPOs do not tend to underperform in the long-run and underpricing has been primarily found to explain the long-run performance. The study, thus provides evidence of overreaction hypothesis.

Purpose – This paper aims to fill the gap of the relatively under-researched impact of women directors on initial public offering (IPO) underpricing in developing countries. Gender diversity is an important emerging issue within the corporate governance literature. Recently, there has been a growing thrust on gender-diverse boards. However, their proportion on corporate boards is low worldwide. The paper examines the influence of women directors on the underpricing phenomenon pervasive in the IPO context. Design/methodology/approach – Gender diversity is an important emerging issue within the corporate governance literature. Recently, there has been a growing thrust on gender diverse boards. However, their proportion on corporate boards is low worldwide. The impact of women directors on IPO underpricing in developing countries remains relatively under-researched. This paper aims to fill this gap in research. The paper examines the influence of women directors on the underpricing phenomenon pervasive in the IPO context. Findings – The results suggest that the subscription ratio, listing delay and block holder ownership positively influence raw returns and market-adjusted excess returns. The proportion of women directors showed negative non-significant impact on both type of returns. We did not find evidence of the other explanatory variables included in the model. Research limitations/implications – The relatively low proportion of female directors may be the reason for some of the non-significant findings. Future research with a good gender balance on boards is likely to help generalising the findings. Other confounding factors also need to be included in the model for deeper explanations of the phenomenon. Practical implications – The study highlights the existence of a “glass ceiling” in Indian corporate settings, where women have to make a tough fight. This barrier must be removed to unleash the real talent of women as directors and see this talent reflected in returns. Social implications – The paper highlights both the need to better manage the gender balance in corporate board rooms and the need to incorporate women’s talents in corporate and investment decisions. Originality/value – The paper highlights the significant gender gap in IPO directorial positions in developing countries such as India. It explores female directors’ contributions in initial pricing performance, which remain unaddressed in this part of the world. Insights into this sensitive issue in an emerging economy such as India can provide important inputs.