Research on any topic seems incomplete till the time a standardized measure for it is not evolved. Measuring intangible assets seems to be a challenging core for the financial academia. More specifically, assigning value to company’s reputation is subjective which confound researchers around the globe. Despite prolific research into this issue, its measurement still baffles the scholars, practitioners, and managers. Although large number of survey methods (like Fortune Most Admired Companies [FMAC] list) have been used extensively, but certain serious limitations of these methods, finally paved way for quantitative tools to measure corporate reputation. An endeavour has been made through current study to compile the efforts of various researchers, who developed proxies for measuring corporate reputation. Reputation of 500 Indian companies constituting BSE 500 index has been measured using six proxies, and Spearman correlation is computed among these proxies. It is interesting to observe that Indian companies are able to maintain their reputation over the years. The findings of the study clearly reveal that reputation research still lacks a concrete measurement. It is high time for the accounting standard setters to devise a framework for measuring and reporting corporate reputation as it has been widely acclaimed as an indispensable asset.

Purpose This study aims to examine the farmers’ awareness level and explores the factors, which may influence their adoption intention regarding solar powered pumps. Design/methodology/approach The study consist of a sample of 510 respondents selected from the rural region of Punjab (India) by using convenience sampling. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis techniques have been used for the analytical purpose. Findings The study reveals that dimensions such as perceived benefit, perceived compatibility and government incentives have a significant impact on intention to use solar powered pumps, whereas high investment cost and lack of awareness regarding government subsidies are the main reason for non-adoption of the same. Research limitations/implications The sample size has been selected on the basis of convenience sampling and has been taken from the rural area, which may affect its generalizability. Practical implications The present research is expected to be useful for the manufacturers, regulators, customers, commercial banks, product and service providers, and other environmental institutions. Originality/value The study has acknowledged various intentional factors, which influence the adoption decision of solar powered pumps. Therefore, the present study will be useful to formulate action plans to improve the environmental quality.

Corporate managers across the globe are on their toes to build favourable corporate reputation. Researchers have extricated many factors affecting corporate reputation. However, the role of gender diversity in enhancing corporate reputation is relatively an exotic area of research in emerging economies like India where women face vulnerable discrimination while contesting for board seats. The present study aims to unravel the relevance of female directors in convalescing corporate reputation by analysing data of 437 Indian companies in 2012, just prior to enactment of Companies Act, 2013. It was found that 60 per cent of the sample companies lack gender diversity and in fact employ no women director on the board. Results of multivariate regression analysis reveal that the presence of female on the board is perceived as a positive quality signal so as to enhance corporate reputation. The findings confer a motivation among Indian corporate managers to promptly adhere to the provisions of New Companies Act, 2013, mandating one woman director in boardroom, so as to procure benefits in terms of favourable corporate reputation. Baffled stakeholders can interpret women directors on the board as a clue to better governance and thereby perceive such companies propitiously.

India has been endeavouring to achieve gender equality, but has failed to attain much success in the corporate sector. The male-dominated Indian corporate board clearly exhibits gender discrimination. The much-awaited move has finally come from the Indian legislators who took an audacious step towards gender egalitarianism by mandating women directors in Indian boardrooms with the advent of New Companies Act, 2013. The scenario of women involvement on Indian boards just prior to this enactment has been appraised through this study. A glimpse on the advantages accruing to the companies permitting women-led initial public offering (IPO) is explored. The impact of the presence of women directors on IPO underpricing is examined by analyzing 230 Indian companies that went public from 1 May 2007 to 31 March 2013. It was found that more than 50 per cent of the sample companies lack gender diversity and in fact employ no women directors in their boards. The results point towards the existence of women on Indian boards as mere token who fail to impede IPO underpricing. The implication for the managers of Indian companies is to pursue the global trend of female inclusion and appraise women on Indian boards from mere tokens to form a critical mass to procure the benefits of gender diversity.

Drawing inference from signalling theory, the study attempts to examine the relation between corporate governance and corporate reputation in the Indian context. There is hardly any study directly deciphering the impact of board attributes (like size and ownership pattern) on corporate reputation (taking market capitalisation as proxy) in India. Based on a sample of 403 Indian companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the results of panel regression indicate that board size and ownership pattern influence the assessment of a company's reputation, which is in line with the findings of previous research on this issue in developed nations. It is also found that firms who allow access to institutional investors and those with larger boards exhibit better reputation. Overall, the findings of the current study support the proposition that board characteristics influence the formation of firm reputation by the business community. The study bears significant implications for corporate managers that along with improving financial performance, social performance and media visibility, they should give significant weightage to good governance and management quality (reflected through board attributes) to enhance firm reputation and gain competitive advantage over others.