Ownership concentration and board features as determinants of related party transactions - evidence from GCC countries

Sickle Cell Health Awareness, Perspectives, and Experiences (SHAPE) Survey: Findings on the Burden of Sickle Cell Disease and Impact on the Quality of Life of Patients and Caregivers in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have age old relations. Indians and people from these countries have frequently travelled to each other’s countries for trade as well as other activities. Indians have been traced in GCC countries for a long time. Indians going to those countries for business, work and other purposes have been a very old phenomenon. Even in pre-oil era, thousands of Indians went to earn a livelihood in GCC countries and many of them settled there forever. However, Indians going to work on a massive scale to these countries is a post-1973 oil era phenomena. The massive inflow of oil revenues consequent to the high rise in global oil price saw unprecedented level of economic development in these countries. However, such development required massive level of manpower, which these countries did not have and this is why these countries are characterized as capital rich labour scarce countries. The economic development in post-1973 oil era in these countries resulted in large scale import of manpower from abroad. As Indians were not new to these lands, the Indian workers also started migrating to these countries in search of employment and better life. Today Indians are present in each sector of economies of GCC countries. Millions of Indian migrant workers abound the GCC countries and contribute their bit in building those economies. However, this benefits them also as well as the Indian economy. These Indian migrant workers are crucial for both Indian as well as GCC countries. This study is a detailed probe into this phenomenon.

Energy consumption accounts for most of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Managing the growth in energy demand is therefore a key part of climate change mitigation. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, energy consumption has been growing rapidly. Between 2004 and 2014, final energy consumption grew at an average annual rate of 6.8% compared to a global average of 1.8%. Energy efficiency can help GCC countries manage their energy demand growth, but it is difficult to measure energy efficiency, so analysts often rely on indirect indicators such as energy intensity. Frontier analysis can be used to measure energy efficiency, but is data intensive. To undertake frontier analysis for the GCC countries it was therefore necessary to construct a new dataset, which was used for corrected ordinary least squares to estimate underlying energy efficiency between 2004 and 2014 for two key sectors in the GCC countries: residential electricity and road transport gasoline. The results suggest that underlying energy efficiency generally improved in the GCC region, in contrast to the trend of rising energy intensity that the region has been witnessing. The energy efficiency improvements may have been driven by global technical progress and tighter global fuel economy standards, of which the GCC countries were beneficiaries. With the provision of high quality, recent data with shorter lag times, frontier analysis could be used to provide prompt feedback on the impact of energy efficiency policies and programmes, leading to better outcomes.

Aim/purpose – This study reports the demand for Big 4 audits among institutional and family owners, the two dominant ownerships in the GCC countries. We conducted this in-depth study to gain an understanding of the type of firms, family-owned or institu- tional-owned firms that lead to choosing audit firms. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed a quantitative cross-country study by selecting a sample based on secondary data extracted from the Capital IQ data- -set from a panel of 1827 non-financial firms listed on the stock exchanges of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2010 to 2018. The hypothesized effects of institutional ownership (IO) and family ownership (FO) on the selection of external auditors in these countries were examined using logit, probit, and heteroskedastic probit analysis. Findings – The study finds that institutional investors play a crucial role in influencing firms’ choice of auditors in the GCC. Family-owned firms tend to hire non-Big 4 firms when the owners actively monitor the firms’ financial transactions. In addition, the study finds that both domestic and foreign institutional investors have a significant positive effect on auditor selection, with domestic institutional investors having priority. These findings support the efforts of market authorities in the GCC to highlight the critical role of IO over FO in improving audit quality. Research implications/limitations – The results are highly relevant for shareholders, executives, institutional investors, regulators, and academics. They help them improve the growth of capital and audit markets by developing best practices, thereby helping achieve an optimal framework for auditor choice that matches higher audit quality. This study focuses on only two types of ownership structures (institution and family) despite the many options because of the extensive debates and discussions on the association between the studied ownership types and auditor choice. Originality/value/contribution – Study highlighted the role of institutional investors in GCC countries as one of the most attractive emerging economies in the Middle East. Since no research has been conducted on the role of institutional and family investors in selecting external auditors in GCC countries, this study has made a significant contribu- tion to the accounting and auditing literature. It mitigates the gap in the literature on emerging markets. The findings can provide policymakers with guidelines for including institutional investors and FO in GCC countries to ensure high-quality audits. Keywords: institutional ownership (IO), family ownership (FO), auditor choice, Gulf Cooperation Council, emerging economies. JEL Classification: G23, G32, D10, M42.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are located in the driest part of the world with an annual per capita water availability of 500 m3 compared to the world average of 6000 m3. Agricultural water demand, which is more than 80% of the total water consumption, is primarily met through the massive exploitation of groundwater. The enormous imbalance between groundwater discharge (27.8 billion m3) and recharge (5.3 billion m3) is causing the excessive lowering of groundwater levels. Therefore, GCC countries are investing heavily in the production of nonconventional water resources such as desalination of seawater and treated wastewater. Currently, 439 desalination plants are annually producing 5.75 billion m3 of desalinated water in the GCC countries. The annual wastewater collection is about 4.0 billion m3, of which 73% is treated with the help of 300 wastewater treatment plants. Despite extreme water poverty, only 39% of the treated wastewater is reused, and the remaining is discharged into the sea. The treated wastewater (TWW) is used for the landscape, forestry, and construction industries. However, its reuse to irrigate food and forage crops is restricted due to health, social, religious, and environmental concerns. Substantial research evidence exists that treated wastewater can safely be used to grow food and forage crops under the agroclimatic conditions of the GCC countries by adopting appropriate management measures. Therefore, GCC countries should work on increasing the use of TWW in the agriculture sector. Increased use of TWW in agriculture can significantly reduce the pressure on freshwater resources. For this purpose, a comprehensive awareness campaign needs to be initiated to address the social and religious concerns of farming communities and consumers. Several internal and external risks can jeopardize the sustainable use of treated wastewater in the GCC countries. These include climate change, increasing costs, technological and market-driven changes, and regional security issues. Therefore, effective response mechanisms should be developed to mitigate future risks and threats. For this purpose, an integrated approach involving all concerned local and regional stakeholders needs to be adopted.

Like the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which are located in an arid region, the State of Kuwait faces difficulty in providing food security for its population locally. This is due to the limited natural water resources and its quality deterioration, limited and declining arable land, and rapid increase of population. Therefore, food importation has become a necessity and essential to meet local requirements. Under these conditions and constraints and with the limited water resources, it is necessary to apply the concept of virtual water to formulate agricultural strategies and to contribute to water resources conservation. This research aimed at calculating the flow of virtual water in Kuwait and the rest of GCC countries. The results indicated that during the period 2000- 2006, Kuwait imported an annual average equivalent to 258 million cubic meter (Mm3) of virtual water from the GCC countries. This quantity represents 24.5% of the total water resources of Kuwait (estimated at 1.055 billion m3 of conventional and non-conventional water resources), of which the agricultural sector consumes about 422 Mm3 (40%). On the other hand, Kuwait exports very limited quantities of virtual water to the GCC countries. The research showed that the deficit in the trade balance in fruits, vegetables, grain crops are 59.8, 35.1, 39.0 tons, respectively, with fruits and vegetables accounts for the largest proportion of this virtual water estimated at 94.9 Mm3 (78%). Moreover, the water content of the imports of various items of meat products, poultry products and dairy products is estimated at 158 Mm3 representing about 61% of the total water content of incoming goods to Kuwait from the GCC countries. Although virtual water imports may alleviate the pressure on local water resources, Kuwait Government adopted policies of food self sufficiency and agricultural policies need to be reviewed with a need for a clear vision of the concept of virtual water trade and for prioritization of water security. The research recommends that a comprehensive and integrated study of the virtual water flow between the State of Kuwait and the world as a whole carried out.

Purpose This study investigates how the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected the stock markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in comparison to Europe and explores the varying responses of GCC markets. Design/methodology/approach Using an event study framework, the impact of the Russian invasion on equity markets in Europe and the GCC countries was analyzed by calculating abnormal returns around the event day, February 24, 2022. The study’s null hypothesis posits that abnormal returns on and around the event day are zero. Findings The analysis of abnormal returns revealed a negative impact of the event on both Europe and the GCC countries on the event day. While European markets continued to show negative abnormal returns, GCC markets rebounded with positive abnormal returns. The study also found diverse responses among GCC markets. Originality/value This paper is the first to examine the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the GCC countries and compares the market reactions to a political event in an energy-exporting region versus an energy-importing region. It also highlights the differences in responses among GCC stock markets, which may be influenced by market size and energy exports to Europe.

Research performance of the GCC countries: A comparative analysis of quantity and quality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the intellectual capital (IC) performance of banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and to empirically investigate if IC has an impact on financial performance as well as to identify the IC components that may be the drivers of the traditional indicators of bank success.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data are drawn from banks’ annual reports over the three-year period of 2008 to 2010. Ordinary least squares regression analysis is constructed to examine the relationships between IC and the banks’ financial performance indicators. Pulic’s value-added intellectual coefficient method (VAIC) is applied to measure IC performance.FindingsEmpirical findings, after controlling for bank size and global financial crisis, indicate that IC is positively associated with bank financial performance indicators in all GCC countries. However, when VAIC is split into its three components, the relationships between these components and bank financial performance indicators are varied.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study is the use of IC measurement model. Its basic advantage (simplicity and ease of use) is also its main limitation. The main problem is measuring the contribution of something which is not physical and cannot be easily quantified. The key issue is that the value created by IC is indirect. However, at present, no perfect solution is available for intellectual capital measurement, as the area is still exploring the best possible solutions.Practical implicationsThe results may extend the understanding of the role of IC in banking sector in GCC region and may give inputs to managers of GCC banks to structure relevant strategies to obtain, utilize, develop and retain IC. The findings also could help policy makers in GCC to formulate and implement policies for establishing a resilient banking sector.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature by extending the knowledge of IC performance and its utilization for increasing the financial performance of GCC banks. There has only been one previous empirical study that explores the IC and its relationship with the traditional measures of bank performance in GCC region (only in Bahrain). It is the first comparative study across GCC countries.

Groundwater quality levels are currently deteriorating in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries due to excessive surface and subsurface human activities. Agricultural and industrial activities, landfill seepage and seawater intrusion have been attributed to the deterioration of groundwater quality in GCC states. Such a deterioration of groundwater quality could affect water security in the region, including human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, this review aims to identify the key causes of groundwater contamination across the GCC countries from the published literature. In addition, the review summarizes the major components of the groundwater contaminants across the GCC countries. The results have shown that heavy metals, several cations and anions are the leading cause of groundwater pollution. In most cases, the level of metals and ion contaminants exceeds both the local and international water quality standards. The results have observed the presence of high levels of coliform and radioactive elements in groundwater, especially Uranium and Radium, thereby posing additional risk to human health through consumption. Considering the scarcity of freshwater resources in GCC, urgent actions are required from the decision-makers and relevant regulatory bodies to set up and implement long-term mitigation strategies and stringent policies that will protect the groundwater resources from the adverse effects of anthropogenic activities.

This paper aims to present and analyze corporate governance disclosure (CGD) practices among listed non-financial companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ stock exchanges. GCC include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study utilizes the benchmark developed by the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This benchmark comprises 52 disclosure items that are divided into five broad categories: (a) financial transparency and information disclosure; (b) ownership structure and exercise of control rights; (c) board and management structure and process; (d) corporate responsibility and compliance; and (e) auditing. This benchmark is based on the UNCTAD publication Guidance on Good Practices in Corporate Governance Disclosure. Results indicate a low level of CGD since corporate governance is still considered novel in the GCC countries. The average disclosure level was 26% while the maximum was 65%. The category with the highest disclosure level was the ‘Financial transparency and information disclosure’ which is the case with other emerging markets. Providing an assessment of CGD using ISAR benchmark provides a tool for its future re-assessment in the GCC countries. Results show how important it is to enhance the awareness of CGD in the GCC countries stressing its importance on the micro and macro levels. Results also provide regulators and policymakers with recommendations on enhancing CGD in the GCC counties. The evaluation of CGD in the GCC countries can also help various stakeholders in their investment decision making.

Hydrogen economy for sustainable development in GCC countries: A SWOT analysis considering current situation, challenges, and prospects

This paper investigates the relationship between marketing and culture in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries and whether culture has an effect on advertising in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study examines, with special focus on advertising, whether SMEs in GCC countries are applying (practicing) marketing principles and whether they consider the context in which advertising takes place in the surrounding culture. This raises the question who should decide on the nature of the advertisement, the owner or the advertising agency. Questions related to advertising and culture within the SME sector in GCC countries are therefore answered in this study. The research employed quantitative methods to gather and analyse data and the research strategy involved a sequential procedure with the questionnaire designed to fit the objectives of the research. Data from the survey were examined and analysed using the SNAP survey software package. Research findings indicate a major improvement in the restructuring of roles and working of SMEs with regard to marketing and advertising in the GCC is necessary. SMEs understood the importance of a marketing department either controlled by a general manager or owner who makes the overall decision.

To mitigate climate change in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, it is vital to understand how energy is being consumed in the different sectors. The GCC countries rely heavily on fossil fuel to meet the increasing demand for electricity especially from the residential sector. Consumption of fossil fuels has several impacts on the environment including the increase of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change. Several measures exist to reduce electricity demand from the residential sector. These measures range from regulatory, technology, economic and information measures. To achieve successful adoption of these measures, a holistic understanding of the drivers and impacts of the growing trend of residential electricity consumption is required. This paper aims to understand the drivers and impacts resulting from the increase in the residential electricity consumption in Kuwait, one of the GCC countries. A Driving forces-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework is applied. Several indicators related to the socio-economic factors, energy consumption, energy intensity and carbon intensity are calculated using quantitative data for the period from 2000 to 2015. The results of analysis show that the increase in the residential electricity consumption is mainly driven by population growth and economic development. This has resulted in an increase in the fossil fuel consumption and the consequent CO2 emissions. This paper recommends conducting a residential electricity consumption survey to provide data required to inform decision making on energy saving in Kuwait. This recommendation is also extended to other GCC countries where a regional database can be developed to share experiences related to reducing residential electricity consumption

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among infertile women in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis