Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of managerial ownership in relation to agency theory in the Malaysian business environment. In addition to examining the total managerial shareholdings, this study also investigates the association between direct and indirect managerial shareholdings with agency costs. Design/methodology/approach: The data for the study is obtained from two sources, namely primary (questionnaire) and secondary (annual reports) data. The sample companies are 235 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia for the financial year ended 2006. Multiple regression analysis is used to estimate the relationship between the variables. Findings: The results of the study indicate that managerial ownership in various segments has an inverse relationship with total monitoring costs as predicted in agency theory. This finding is consistent with earlier studies in western countries and supports the convergence of interest hypothesis. Originality/value: This study gives a unique contribution to corporate governance studies relating to the effect of ownership structure in relation to agency theory in Malaysian companies, one of the countries in Asia. Previous studies claimed that it is unknown whether the agency theory findings in western countries have equal impact in Asian organizations. Previous literature also indicates that there is a possibility that given the cultural differences, the typical nature of agents in agency theory may not be the case with regard to non-western countries. Thus, this study provides evidence that support prior research findings in western countries relating to the effect of managerial ownership on the agency relationship which is reflected in its agency costs.

Prior studies indicate that people's perception have an important influence on their career decisions. This study explores the accounting students' perceptions on professional examination and the factors that influence their decisions to take the exam. Questionnaires were distributed to final year accounting students of a public university in Malaysia. About 103 questionnaires were completed and usable for the purpose of the study. Regression analysis was employed to analyse the data. The results indicate that about 70% of the respondents plan to work immediately after graduating, and only about 28% of the respondents really have the intention to pursue professional qualification. Among others, the findings reveal that the job security and stability, and opportunities for advancement as well as the students' perception towards the profession are the three main variables found to be significant in influencing the accounting students' decision to pursue professional examination. The results of the study appear to suggest that the educators and universities must play their role to positively influence and motivate the students to pursue professional examination. The favourable information about the profession may attract the potential students to take the challenge.

This paper aims to explore the ethical views of final year accountancy students in Malaysia. Specifically, this study seeks to investigate the final year accountancy students' perception on whistle blowing and the likelihood of blowing the whistle in relation to seriousness of questionable act, gender, race and academic performance. About 150 questionnaires were distributed to final year accountancy students in a public university in Malaysia; however, only 105 questionnaires were usable and completed to be used in the study. Majority of the respondents are taking a relatively moderate approach towards their willingness to blow the whistle. The regression result reveals that the seriousness of the unethical act has a significant and positive relationship with the probability of blowing the whistle by these students. In addition, the result appears to suggest that high academic achiever have a negative relationship with the probability of blowing the whistle.

Corporate governance is a critical element in driving excellence in corporate social responsibility (CSR). One of the important cornerstones of corporate governance is board of directors. Thus, this study attempts to examine the effect of this board structure on corporate social responsibility disclosures of public listed companies in Malaysia. Data for the study was collected using secondary source. CSR disclosure index was developed in an attempt to examine the CSR disclosure in the four dimensions as specified by the Bursa Malaysia. The four dimensions are environmental, community, workplace and marketplace. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the data. The result shows that managerial ownership is significant and negatively influences the CSR disclosure in Malaysian listed companies. The other board variables appear to have the expected direction of the hypotheses, but are not significant.

Prior studies posited that corporate social responsibility (CSR) by organizations indicates a continuum business commitment to act appropriately. CSR activities carried out would capture the issues, processes and values that companies must tackle to minimize harmful effects stemming from their activities and at the same time the company can create economic, social as well as environmental value for the society. However, not all companies would be motivated to carry out CSR activities. Thus, this study aims to examine the challenges that companies have to face in implementing CSR activities. In addition, the benefits derived from the activities are also discussed. Questionnaires were distributed to manufacturing companies registered with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. The results of this research project suggest that respondent companies appear to apply stakeholder approach in implementation of their CSR activities, where they value their relationship with the stakeholders and are very concerned about the stakeholders’ perceptions on their companies. The CSR activities which they implement appear to serve as a bridge to tighten these relationships. On the other hand, the cost and complexity of implementation, and time consumed to implement are among the biggest challenges to the organizations in their implementation of CSR activities.