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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the existing status of environmental disclosure practices in Indian core sector companies.Design/methodology/approachWaste disposal costs and other environmental liability costs are crucial information to be disclosed by core sector companies as they have direct impact on the environment. A content analysis of the annual reports of select core sector companies across four industries, viz. Oil and petrochemicals, Mining and minerals, Steel and Cement, has been undertaken to study the extent and nature of their environmental disclosures in their annual reports for 2007‐2008.FindingsThe study shows that the level of disclosure of environmental information varies across industries as well as companies and the information revealed in the annual reports is found to be more qualitative than quantitative.Practical implicationsThe disclosure made by the core sector companies does not adequately cover the informational needs of stakeholders. However, the increasing disclosure trends can be considered as a first step toward improved environmental disclosure. The study therefore supports the need for a suitable framework for environmental disclosure, such that all the stakeholders can use it as credible information.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by evaluating voluntary environmental disclosures made by Indian core sector companies in their annual report. Further work based on this preliminary finding may be done to assess the status of environmental disclosure for a larger sample of Indian core sector companies.

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Purpose In the shadow of global financial crisis, practice of earnings management can be hazardous for the growth and development of an economy, especially for a developing economy like India. This empirical study is performed to analyse the presence of earnings management practices in Indian public and private commercial banking industry. This study also aims at developing a framework for the three-way relationship existing between the variables of corporate governance, earnings management practices and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Data have been collected for a period of 11 financial years (2003-2013) from Prowess (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy) 4.14 database. A bank-based accrual model has been used for calculating earnings management practices. OLS regression has been used for analysing degree of interdependence among variables of corporate governance, earnings management practices and financial performance. Findings The analysis supports the fact that there is the existence of income increasing earnings management practices in Indian commercial banks. It is also observed that corporate government practices (viz. board characteristics, audit practices and performance-based remuneration) basically work as restricting variables for earnings management practices. It is evident from the analysis that market-based firm performance variables (viz. PE ratio, yield and profit after tax) are significantly related to earnings management and corporate governance system. Practical implications The finding of this study will help in monitoring and controlling fraudulent earnings management practices existing in Indian commercial banks. Originality/value This study is the initial research about the presence of earnings management practices in Indian commercial banks.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effect of intellectual capital (IC) efficiency on changes in the productivity of insurance companies in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel of 33 insurance companies from 2008 to 2016, the study applied Value Added Intellectual Coefficients model as a measure of IC efficiency, whilst Malmquist Productivity Index is employed to capture changes in the productivity of insurance companies. In estimating the effects of IC on productivity, System Generalised Method of Moment (GMM) is applied because of its power over endogeneity and heteroscedasticity. Findings Robust empirical findings on productivity analysis showed that improvements in insurer’s productivity were experienced in three year intervals out of the overall studied year. In addition, panel regression results revealed that IC along with human capital and capital employed significantly affect the productivity of insurance companies. Research limitations/implications The generalisability of the study findings could be questioned because it is limited to insurance firms operating in Ghana; some firms were omitted due to mergers and acquisition that reduced the final sample. Yet, the findings facilitate the validation of IC concept and, hence, informs manager/policy makers on IC utilisation as a source of competitive edge. Practical implications Having robust empirical findings, the study expands on the existing literature by unveiling the dynamic nature of IC relationship and productivity. The findings also serve as a benchmark for managers/policymakers in insurance companies to increase the operational efficiency by investing in IC, which will help guarantee improve returns on generated premiums. Originality/value Although a few studies have investigated the effect of IC in Ghana, this study is the first to examine the dynamic relationship between IC and changes in productivity in a Ghanaian context.