This article initially attempts to search for a robust model for the estimation of discretionary accruals (proxy for earnings management) of select manufacturing firms in India. The two models from extant literature considered to search for a better model are the modified Jones model put forth by Dechow, Sloan, and Sweeney (1995 , The Accounting Review, 70, 193–225) and the Kasznik (1999 , Journal of Accounting Research, 37, 57–81) model. Subsequently the study aims at appraising the linkage between various corporate governance mechanisms and earnings management using panel data regression and employing Fisher’s probability test. The study reveals strong negative association of earnings management with the percentage of independent directors on the board and with diligence of the board members. However, it fails to accept the conjecture that percentage of promoters on the board has a positive impact on earnings management. The assumption that audit committee size has a negative impact on earnings management could not be established too. Furthermore, the study fails to draw any concrete relationship between earnings management and other governance mechanisms considered, such as board size, frequency of board meetings, CEO duality, audit committee independence, frequency of audit committee meetings and auditing by Big-4 auditors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) movement to any country is recognized as an important criterion for economic strength and potentiality. Hence, the present study analyzes the motives of FDI inflows through the determinants and channels, namely horizontal or vertical FDIs and the impact of COVID-19 on FDI Inflows in BRICS countries during the period 1990–2020. The Kinked Exponential (deterministic) trend, and Zivot and Andrew’s trend equations are applied for the growth analysis of FDI inflows. Regarding the estimation of channels of FDI inflows in terms of horizontal, vertical, and hybrid motivations, dynamic panel data analysis using GMM for BRICS economies together and ARDL-PMG for individual countries is made. The findings show significantly positive growth in FDI inflows in all BRICS countries except India during the first decade of the present century. After that, these countries have experienced either significantly or insignificantly declining trends, except India, where the trend has significantly increased during this later period. From the overall analysis, we see that both horizontal and vertical motivations play a dominant role in determining FDI inflows for the BRICS countries. However, from country-wise estimations, it is observed that both horizontal and vertical motives are dominant factors for FDI inflows to India and Russia. In contrast, the horizontal motive of it is significant for China. For Brazil and South Africa, no motive behind FDI inflows appears significant. The pandemic situation significantly impacts attracting FDI in Brazil, while it remains insensitive in the rest of the BRICS countries. The findings reveal that FDI determinants are country-specific. So, the BRICS countries can design proper FDI policy and adopt more reforms in attracting FDI that may help improve their economic situation.

The entire world is in the clutch of Coronavirus. The dissemination of the virus is so colossal that it compelled the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare it as pandemic. The outbreak of the virus has unprecedented implications on the global economy. Severe economic burden and grave consequences have to be borne by the Indian industries in this backdrop of declining economic situation due to coronavirus. Thus, this article is intended to study the repercussions of coronavirus on different sectors of Indian economy and to highlight the reasons for which India can be benefitted in the post pandemic period and mainly to specify the business survival strategies which is the key to overcome this tough situation.

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