Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of corporate governance and degree of multinational activities (DMAs) on corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) within the context of a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Using the annual report of 33 listed firms spanning from 2008 to 2013, the authors employed content analysis based on an adapted index score of CSRD developed by Hackston and Milne (1996) as applied in similar studies (e.g. Deegan et al., 2002; Hassan, 2014). Guided by the authors’ hypotheses, the authors model quantity and quality of CSRD (two separate econometric models) as functions of multinational activity and corporate governance. Findings The results show that the DMA has a positive association with both quality and quality of CSRD. The results also show that certain corporate governance characteristics such as board size (quality and quantity) as well as the presence of a social responsibility sub-committee of the board (quality) have a positive relationship with CSRD. However, increasing the number of non-executive directors (NEDs) may not necessarily improve the quantity or quality of disclosure. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by theory and geography. Theoretically, the study is based on the legitimacy theory and feels compelled to reiterate the importance of considering alternative theoretical perspective in future research. Again the study is limited geographically as the investigation is based on Ghana only and the authors suggest that future research be extended to other countries. Practical implications This study is important as it demonstrates the importance of providing quality of CSRD to stakeholders when the board of a firm has a sub-committee responsible for corporate social responsibility. Originality/value The results of the study extend the literature on CSRD by demonstrating a new evidence on how the degree of firm’s multinational activities together with corporate government mechanism affects both quantity and quality of CSRD in the context of unchartered developing country. The results support the theoretical view that companies engage in CSRD in attempt to legitimize their operations based on the pressure exerted on them and the mechanism put in place to respond to those pressures.

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The study examined financial management practices using four components: working capital management practices, capital structure management, accounting information and financial reporting practice, and the use of capital budgeting techniques and fixed assets management. Performance of SMEs was examined from the context of profitability measured by Return on Assets and of growth. The study sampled 100 SMEs from Accra with data collected through the administration of a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that working capital management practices had the highest mean score, followed by accounting information and financial reporting practices, capital structure management and finally, the use of capital budgeting techniques and fixed assets management, in that order. The Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive association between the four components of financial management practices and between SMEs profitability and growth. The results emphasize the need for SMEs to improve on their financial management practice to improve the profitability and growth of these firms. It is recommended that the use of capital budgeting techniques be improved, as this area of financial management, even though it impacts positively on the performance of SMEs had the least score. Most importantly, the managers of SMEs should use discounted cash flow techniques to evaluate investment and projects before committing the resources of the company. SMEs are encouraged to adopt IFRS for SMEs to enhance their financial reporting practices. This will also improve their decision making and access to capital which will allow these SMEs to expand.

The study examined the factors that influence tax compliance by small and medium tax payers, the difference in the level of compliance between small and medium tax payers and strategies to improve tax compliance in Ghana. The study through stratified sampling technique sampled 100 small and medium tax payers in Accra and other GRA officials for the study. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of the study showed that compliance cost, tax rates, tax audits and morals of taxpayers significantly influenced tax compliance. The GRA also indicated that unions and associations of businesses could help increase voluntary tax compliance of small and medium tax payers in Ghana. The study findings provide evidence that there is a significance difference in the tax compliance level between small and medium scale enterprises. The difference can be largely attributed to the inability of small enterprises to file their tax returns on due dates and also to keep proper books of records of their business transactions. The study recommends organizing workshops for businesses to train them on the need to pay their taxes and keep proper records of their transactions, increasing the rate of audits of businesses, imposing fines and penalties for defaulting businesses.