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Previous studies that have attempted to relate corporate environmental performance to financial performance have generated conflicting results. This paper presents the findings of a study on the relationship between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the financial performance of Australian corporations. Using multiple regression models and data from a sample of 69 Australian public companies, this paper finds a positive correlation between GHG emissions and corporate financial performance. By testing the statistical significance of GHG emission factors in determining company Tobin's q, this study finds that a stronger Tobin's q often correlates with higher GHG emissions across all industry sectors. This finding is contrary to evidence found in previous studies conducted in other countries. The positive correlation found in this study could be explained with reference to the unique economic structure and development of Australia, particularly its dominant mining industry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Purpose -This study aims to examine the influence of Islam on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) with a focus on an analysis of narrative reporting. Design/methodology/approach -Using content analysis, this study analyzes the narrative disclosures of corporate social responsibility of 21 IFIs operating in the Gulf region. Findings -This study provides evidence of Islamic influence on the CSRD of IFIs. It finds that the largest part of CSRD produced by the IFIs is the disclosure of reports of the Shari'a Supervisory Board. IFIs also disclose other Islamic information (e.g. "Zakah" and charity donation, and free interest loan) and report on their compliance with Islam along with information of philanthropy, employees and community. Originality/value -This study provides a valuable contribution to researchers and practitioners, as it extends the understanding of how the narrative disclosures on CSR were produced by IFIs and the influence of religion on CSRD.

Purpose -To identify the applicability of social auditing as an approach of engaging stakeholders in assessing and reporting on corporate sustainability and its performance. Design/methodology/approach -Drawing upon the framework of AA1000 and the social auditing studies, this paper links stakeholder engagement, social auditing and corporate sustainability with a view to applying dialogue-based social auditing to address corporate sustainability. Findings -This paper identifies a "match" between corporate sustainability and social auditing, as both aim at improving the social, environmental and economic performance of an organisation, considering the well-being of a wider range of stakeholders and requiring the engagement of stakeholders in the process. This paper suggests that social auditing through engaging stakeholders via dialogue could be applied to build trusts, identify commitment and promote co-operation amongst stakeholders and corporations. Research limitations/implications -This research requires further empirical research into the practicality of social auditing in addressing corporate sustainability and the determination of the limitations of dialogue-based social auditing. Practical implications -Social auditing has been identified as a useful mechanism of balancing differing interests among stakeholders and corporations in a democratic business society. The application of social auditing in developing and achieving corporate sustainability has apparently practical implications. Originality/value -This paper examines the applicability of dialogue-based social auditing in helping business to move towards sustainability. Social auditing as a process of assessing and reporting on corporate social and environmental performance through engaging stakeholders via dialogue could be applied to build trusts, identify commitment and promote cooperation amongst stakeholders and corporations.

In the past two decades, many emerging economies have been witnessed the strong growth of their life insurance industry. While research in the demand for life insurance has attracted much attention since the 1960s, most studies have focused on cross‐country studies or well‐established markets in developed countries. As a result of cross‐national variations in life insurance consumption, it has been argued in the literature that factors shaping the demand for life insurance are complex and varied from one country to another. This paper aims to examine key determinants of the demand for life insurance in China with a view to explaining the rapid growth of the life insurance industry in China since its economic reform in 1978. Empirical investigation using a time series data analysis has shown that the main factors which have influenced people in China to purchase life insurance products are directly associated with the successful economic reform leading people to progress to higher layers of economic security, the increase in the level of education and the change in social structure. However, this research has not found a negative effect of inflation on life insurance consumption, even China experienced high inflation in the mid‐1990s.

This article addresses the under-researched issue of risk management (RM) and risk management capability building in small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs). It draws upon theories of social capital to explain enablers and obstacles for RM capability building and practice sharing in a small and medium-sized construction enterprise in China. Two related propositions are made: first, RM capability is built by SMEs without formal structures and knowledge; and second, such firms are more likely to adopt informal processes to develop RM capability. The article concludes that the role of cognitive capital is the most important for the RM capability building of SMEs and that cognitive capital plays a crucial role in accumulating structural and relational capital. It proposes a model of cognitive capital-based RM capability building in which integrates communication, knowledge, relationship and learning.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate multinational corporations' (MNCs) voluntary practice of including corporate social and environmental disclosure (CSED) on their web sites and characteristics that inspire MNCs to be more accountable in this regard. Design/methodology/approach -This study adopts discrimination analysis to test six hypotheses to determine which variables influence the MNCs to post their CSED on the web sites. Data from a sample of 49 MNCs were analyzed with STATISTICA. The independent variables tested include log of total assets (size) and log of total equity (size), return on assets (profitability), debt ratio (risk), auditor (Big4 and non-Big4), country effect (origin the USA or non-USA) and industry effect (manufacturing versus services). Findings -The results show that companies with a strong equity base and in a good financial condition have a propensity to voluntarily disclose more environmental information. For social disclosure, company size and the profitability discriminate the most. MNCs disclose a number of items pertaining to the two areas. These results are in line with evidence found in some prior studies. Research limitations/implications -This study has its limitations. First, the results would be more conclusive if more companies had been included in the sample. Second, only six variables are tested and there may be scope for explaining the extent of the internet disclosure using other variables. Third, this research does not look into the quality of CSRD. Practical implications -This study provides an empirical analysis of practices and characteristics of MNCs relating to CSRD on their web sites. The findings from this study help understand MNCs' corporate behavior in terms of CSED. Originality/value -This study has, for the first time, included three more variables (financial risk, profitability, and country effect) to investigate the disclosure of social and environmental information by MNCs through their web sites, on which there is limited evidence.

While accounting education has existed in Libya for over 45 years, knowledge about it is scarce among Western accounting academics. This paper reports the development of accounting education and curricula since Libya's independence in the 1950s and examines its current problems during a decade of United Nations (UN) sanctions. Following an introduction to the accounting profession in Libya, the paper provides an overview of the changes to accounting education since 1957 and analyses major issues currently faced by Libyan accounting educators, including: a shortage of qualified accounting academics; inappropriateness of imported syllabuses to the peculiarities of the economy; the unfit marriage of academic teaching and professional training in the accounting curricula; and inadequate accounting research. The paper concludes that social and economic characteristics must be fully taken into account in the case of Libya in importing accounting education systems from the West.accounting education, accounting profession, accounting research, curriculum, Islamic accounting, Libya,