Research Publications (Accounting and Informatics)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/212
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Item Evaluating the influence of leverage and liquidity on the financial performance of general insurance companies in Sub-Saharan Africa(LLC CPC Business Perspectives, 2022-08-05) Msomi, Thabiso SthembisoThe factors of the insurance industry’s business performance are of concern to a variety of participants in any economy, such as the government, politicians, policyholders, and speculators. There has been very little research on this issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority focusing on specific factors that influence the performance of insurance businesses. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the influence of leverage and liquidity on financial performance of general insurance companies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study used descriptive correlational techniques to obtain panel data across 113 general insurers operating in Sub-Saharan Africa as of December 31, 2019, for 11 years (2008–2019). The pooled OLS, fixed effects and random effects models were estimated with the financial performance measures (proxied by ROA) as the dependent variables where the Hausman test was employed to test the hypothesis. The study found that there is a negative negligible link between leverage and financial performance, whereas there is a positive association between liquidity and financial performance. The study suggested that proper liquidity management is critical for insurance businesses to enhance a company’s value as well as financial success. The focus should be on establishing a proper asset-liability mix, in which a company’s total liabilities do not exceed its total assets. Furthermore, organizations require cash flow policy recommendations to optimize profit potential while limiting liquidity risk in the financial statement.Item Intellectual capital and financial performance of South African development community's general insurance companies(Elsevier BV, 2021-04) Olarewaju, Odunayo Magret; Msomi, Thabiso SthembisoThe effect of intellectual capital on financial performance was investigated in this paper for the period 2008 to 2019. A total of 696 observations were generated from data collected from 56 general insurance companies in 12 years. The Value Added Intelligent Coefficient Model was used and data was analysed using both static (two stage least square, fixed and random effect) and dynamic panel regression analysis (two step system generalised method of moments). The findings showed a significant and direct relationship between lagged return on assets, intellectual capital and financial performance of insurers in the South African Development Community. Out of the components of intellectual capital, human capital and structural capital are significantly and directly related with return on assets while capital employed is inversely and insignificantly related with return on assets. The control variables-underwriting risk, insurer size and leverage are all inversely and significantly affecting return on assets. Thus, a U-shape relationship exists between intellectual capital and financial performance in general insurance companies in the South African Development Community. Thus, the policy makers-cum-insurers' managers should maximise their intellectual capital as this creates competitive advantage that leads to financial performance drive and wealth generation. The Model used in this study is an important model decision-makers can use to assimilate intellectual capital in their decision-making procedures. This will inadvertently permit insurers to scale themselves according to the intellectual capital efficiencies and advance in strategies that will boost their company's financial performance.Item Macroeconomic and firm-specific determinants of financial performance : evidence from non-life insurance companies in Africa(Informa UK Limited, 2023-12-31) Msomi, Thabiso SthembisoThis study aimed to examine the macroeconomic and firm-specific determinants of financial performance using 121 listed non-life insurance companies from 48 African countries for the period 2008–2019. Panel data of 1452 observations were examined using both ordinary least squares and two-step System Generalised Method of Moments estimators. The findings of this study show that lagged return on assets, equity capital, operational efficiency and leverage, investment capability and gross domestic product are the statistically significant determinants of financial performance in African non-life insurance companies even though equity capital, operational efficiency and leverage are inversely significant. It is concluded that insurance industries, policymakers, government and investors should take into consideration these significant factors in taking decision and improving their performance. Also, it is recommended that the capital structures of the sector should be restructured to maintain a favourable balance in the equity and debt of the companies. Also, mechanisms such as automated systems that can reduce operational cost should be adopted such that financial performance can be enhanced.Item Environmental, social and governance and financial performance nexus in South African listed firms(AOSIS, 2024-01-01) Matemane, Reon; Msomi, Thabiso Sthembiso; Ngundu, MarvellousBackground: Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become topical in recent years because of climate change existential threat to humanity. There is, however, a limited understanding of how the firm’s ESG efforts affect firm outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between firm’s ESG indicators and the financial performance. Setting: The sample is drawn from Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies based on data availability. South Africa is not only plagued by social ills and governance failures, but it is also one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, making it an ideal laboratory for studying the ESG and firm performance nexus. Method: We utilized a dataset spanning the years 2012–2022, covering 67 JSE-listed firms. These panel data were analyzed using the two-step system generalised method of moments (GMM). Results: We found that the disaggregated ESG indexes have a positive, albeit insignificant impact on the financial performance. These findings hold even when financial and non-financial firms are examined separately. Conclusion: Policymakers, including standard setters and regulators, should encourage firms to be sincere on ESG efforts and avoid greenwashing. Contribution: The study employs a relatively robust estimation technique (two-step system GMM) over a relatively long period (2012–2012). Furthermore, the sectoral analysis of financial and non-financial firms adds to the body of literature and policy development.Item The role of environmental disclosures in enhancing firm value : evidence from listed manufacturing firms(International Institute for Science, Technology and Education, 2023-01) Mgilane, Nolwando L.; Maama, Haruna; Marimuthu, FerinaThe traditional approach to financial performance reporting has experienced a significant shift as stakeholders increasingly demand greater transparency regarding firms' environmental and social impact. This has elevated the importance of environmental reporting due to its potential influence on firms' financial strength. This study investigates the relationship between environmental reporting and the value of manufacturing firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa. The study conducted a content analysis on 250 annual integrated reports from 50 manufacturing firms listed on the JSE between 2016 and 2020 and utilized a multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed a negative relationship between environmental reporting and firm value, suggesting that adopting environmental reporting may involve additional financial resources, which are perceived as an outflow of funds in an economic context. Consequently, this study recommends that manufacturing companies analyse their stakeholders' characteristics and information needs to present relevant environmental reporting in their annual integrated reports. By doing so, companies can enhance their legitimacy with stakeholders, maximise shareholder value, and ultimately increase firm value. This research contributes to the existing literature on environmental, social, and financial reporting, particularly in South Africa, by focusing specifically on manufacturing firms listed on the JSE.Item Impact of environmental disclosure on financial health of manufacturing firms(Cosmos S.A., 2023) Marimuthu, Ferina; Mgilane, Nolwando; Maama, HarunaEnvironmental reporting can help firms stay in compliance with environmental regulations and manage environmental risks. By proactively addressing and disclosing their environmental impact, manufacturing firms can mitigate potential legal and regulatory penalties, fines, and reputation damage, thereby safeguarding their financial performance. In addition to the latter perspective, cost savings and operational efficiency, enhanced reputation and stakeholder engagement, as well as access to capital and investment opportunities, are critical factors to ensure that firms disclose information about their environmental performance, including its impact on the environment, sustainability initiatives, and environmental risks and opportunities to ensure that they maximise their financial performance. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between environmental reporting and financial performance of South African listed manufacturing firms. A multiple regression analysis was adopted to achieve the aim by testing the relationship between the variables amongst a sample of 50 manufacturing firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A content analysis was utilized to attain environmental reporting information themes from the integrated annual reports retrieved from the JSE for the period 2016 to 2020. The results indicate a negative association between environmental reporting responsibility and financial performance, measured by return on equity (ROE) when the components of environmental reporting are tested individually. However, when these components namely: environmental reporting, social reporting and environmental degradation are combined the findings reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship. These results imply that the adoption of environmental reporting, specifically an increase on the quality of environmental reporting results in an increase in the manufacturing firm performance.Item Perceptions of non-government organisations managers about international financial reporting standards in the NGOs sector : a case study of a large NGO in Durban, South Africa(PT Keberlanjutan Strategis Indonesia, 2023) Mvunabandi, Jean Damascene; Mbonigaba, JosueThe role of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in the growth of organisations has expanded significantly in recent literature. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are crucial in global affairs and have different operating contexts, but it is unclear how their use of IFRS is of sufficient quality to satisfy various stakeholders' interests. On this question, this article investigated the managers' perceptions of IFRS practices and quality in a large NGO in Durban, South Africa. A qualitative approach was employed, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 purposively selected participants. The interviews were recorded and later transcribed. Robustness analysis was performed using conventional thematic content analysis. Evidence from this study showed that despite adopting IFRS accounting and financial procedures, the managers of the selected NGO found it difficult to have quality financial statements due to IFRS for SMEs failing to fit NGOs' operating context. This article established NGOs managers' perceptions of the role of IFRS in managing diverse NGOs stakeholders' interests, provided recommendations applicable to similar NGOs globally and contributed to the scholarly debates for policymakers and practitioners on using IFRS for SMEs in NGOs. This study has also provided a very robust plan for future researchers.Item The impact of environmental costs on financial performance : an explorative analysis of two plastic companies(LLC “Consulting Publishing Company “Business Perspectives", 2023-03) Aliamutu, Kansilembo Freddy; Bhana, Anrusha; Suknunan, SachinThere is little research on the impact of environmental costs on plastic manufacturing companies’ financial performance and sustainability. This paper aims to explore the relationship between environmental costs and financial performance of two large national plastic manufacturing companies, namely Bowler Metcalf Limited (BML) and Nampak Ltd, between 2018 and 2019 since research allows for five year old information. Further, the study used pre-Covid-19 data to conceptualize. It adopted a qualitative method of inquiry using content analysis to analyze the financial statements and reports of the two companies (secondary data analysis) available in the public domain. The interpretative analysis further supported the analysis and interpretation of the two variables of environmental costs and financial performance. The results showed a positive relationship between environmental costs and profits in the financial statements of these two companies during 2018 and 2019. BML had a decrease in plastic penalties from R 23.171 million in 2018 to R 14.596 million in 2019, which supported a reduction in spending on legal and constructive obligation items. Nampak also decreased stakeholders’ equity from R 10,140.3 million in 2018 to R 8,932.33 million in 2019, which meant that the stakeholders’ equity funds were reduced, possibly due to reduced spending on environmental costs during that period. It can be concluded and established that when these two plastic companies spend more on environmental costs, this positively affects overall financial performance and improves financial sustainability. It is recommended to allocate more resources/funding to support environmental costs to increase the profitability of the two plastic manufacturing companies.Item The relationship between executive remuneration and financial performance in South African state-owned entities(Allied Business Academies, 2019-01-01) Marimuthu, Ferina; Kwenda, FaraiThis study aimed to determine whether executive remuneration levels at poorly performing state-owned entities (SOE)s in South Africa are justified. The study was motivated by the weak economic growth, fiscal consolidation, increased debt levels and poor financial performance of these entities. Dynamic panel data models were employed and estimated using the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. The data set comprised an unbalanced panel data of 33 commercial SOEs in South Africa that are listed under the Public Financial Management Act. The study found an inverse relationship between executive remuneration and financial performance. This is of concern as executive remuneration is high despite the SOEs' declining performance. The misalignment between pay and performance undermines the core principles of the agency theory, resulting in poor performance. These findings provide empirical support for public and media perceptions that executive remuneration is excessive and unmerited when measured against SOEs' performance. The findings will be of interest to observers of the economy, as they measure SOEs' capacity to play a leading role in investment and in improving the efficiency of the economy. They could also inform decision making and policy development on SOEs.Item Financial accounting as a tool to enhance non-government organisations’ performance : a case study of a large NGO in Durban, South Africa(EconJournals, 2022) Mvunabandi, Jean Damascene; Lathleiff, Charmaine; Muzindutsi, Paul-FrancoisNumerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in South Africa and elsewhere do not have standardised financial accounting practices to follow in preparing their financial statements and it is not clear whether the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) can be used to enhance NGOs performance (Kaya et al., 2015). This article explored the applicability of financial accounting practices as a relevant tool to enhance NGO performance with particular reference to a large NGO in Durban, South Africa. A qualitative approach was employed and data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews and conventional thematic and document analysis. Evidence from this study showed that despite adopting accounting and financial policy and procedures, the selected NGO finds it difficult to maximise its financial performance due to failure to fully comply with IFRS for SMEs in South Africa. This article provides necessary recommendations applicable to other similar NGOs globally.