Financial technology (otherwise known as FinTech) refers to a type of technology and innovation that tries to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. Despite the importance of this technology in people’s financial transactions in improving the management of their financial operations, processes, and lives, there is a lack of empirical evidence about sustainable FinTech services in the Jordanian context. Consequently, this research examines the factors that influence the acceptance of FinTech services, which have a variety of social, environmental, and ecological benefits. This study proposes an integrated model by combining the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with the perceived enjoyment as an independent variable and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) as a moderator variable simultaneously. A total of 304 responses from Jordanian citizens were analyzed by the quantitative method of partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The result confirmed that perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment have a significant and positive influence on users’ decision to use FinTech services. Meanwhile, eWOM is found to moderate the relationship between perceived usefulness and Jordanians’ decisions to use FinTech services. Finally, this study provides practical implications for managers to encourage them to provide adequate, reliable, and sustainable services to their customers at a reasonable cost that fit their demands and ultimately improve their living standards. Current study limitations and future research directions are presented in the last section.

This study aims to examine the link between sustainability reporting and information asymmetry in family- and non-family-controlled firms for a sample of 641 UK firms listed in the FTSE all-share index during the period 2010–2017. The findings show a negative and significant relationship between sustainability reporting and IA. The results also show that the sustainability reporting–information asymmetry nexus is weaker in family-controlled firms. The findings of this study should improve our understanding of sustainability reporting motivations, particularly in companies that are controlled by families. Moreover, an explanation of the role of family-controlled firms in mitigating or exacerbating this relationship will surely help the British regulators improve corporate governance rules related to various ownership structures. For policy makers, it is important to confirm that sustainability reporting is representative of actual corporate activities and is not only used to mislead stakeholders.

Purpose This study aims to empirically investigate the role of accounting information quality (AIQ) as a mediating factor in the relationship between knowledge management (KM) processes and business performance (BP) of the financial institutions (FI) operating in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review and knowledge-based theory, an integrated conceptual framework has been developed to guide the study. The study’s conceptual framework is constituted of three primary constructs, namely, KM processes (acquisition, integration and utilization), BP (financial indicators and non-financial indicators) and AIQ conceptualized using the International Accounting Standard Board’s (2010) framework fundamental qualitative characteristics (relevance, understandability, faith representation and comparability). Data has been collected through a self-administered questionnaire applied to 247 respondents. The targeted respondents have been FIs (commercial banks and insurance companies) in Jordan. Findings The main findings supported accounting information as a mediator factor in enhancing the relationship between the FIs’ KM process and BP (FI) operating in Jordan. Originality/value This study contributed to theory by filling a gap in the literature regarding the role AIQ as a mediator factor between the KM process and BP of the FI operating in Jordan as a developing country.

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This paper investigates the role of structural ownership reforms in sustaining auditor independence through split-share structure reform (SSSR). Studying a sample of 1826 Chinese listed firms over the SSSR period in China, the results showed that auditor independence sustainability was less pronounced in local state-owned enterprises (LSOEs) compared with non-state-owned Enterprises (NSOEs). Nevertheless, after the SSSR, there is a significant enhancement in sustaining auditor independence. In particular, auditor independence sustainability is pronounced by providing an unqualified audit opinion, including an ‘emphasis of matter paragraph’ instead of issuing a modified audit opinion. This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it gives an empirical investigation into auditor independence sustainability efforts by the Chinese government through the SSSR. Second, it helps regulators and policy-makers in China and other emerging markets in evaluating the SSSR efforts to improve auditor independence.