Purpose:The current wave of digitalization (SMACIT), from Online Social Networks (OSNs), Mobile Telecommunication, Analytics and Cloud Computing to the Internet of Things, has led to a rethink of how companies use technology and new business models to improve the quality of accounting information. This study empirically investigates the effect of the digitalization on improving the timeliness of reporting. Design/methodology/approach:The study uses a sample of 189 companies listed on the Egyptian stock Exchange to assess the effect of key enablers of digitalization on the timeliness of financial reporting. Simple and multiple regression analysis are used to test hypotheses. Three of the new digital solutions, namely social networks, websites, and digital platforms, are used as independent variables in this study. Findings:The results revealed that the listed Egyptian companies take an average of 40 to 85 days to release their financial reports. The banking, and industrial goods, services and automobiles sectors performed better compared to other sectors, and the service sectors performed better than the industrial sectors with regard to the timing of financial reports. The results of the regression analysis indicate that there is a significant negative relationship between the timing of financial reports, the use of online social networks, websites, and digital platforms by listed companies. The study concluded that increased digitalization improves the timeliness of financial reporting, which meaning that the greater the digitalization, the shorter the financial reporting time.Research limitations: This study has some limitations. First, the digitalization metrics used in this study are preliminary and need to be developed. Second, the digitalization metrics do not taken into account the age of the company, experience, and the effectiveness and manner in which digital technologies are used.Originality/value: This research provides more insights to understand the effect of the new digital solutions on the timing of financial reporting. The results presented in this study are expected to rethink the effectiveness of the governance mechanism in light of digital transformation practices in Egypt.

The global anti-money laundering (AML) landscape raises enormous risks for financial institutions, as money laundering has become easier and faster than before, due to the massive development in communications and information technology. Today, KYC (Know Your Customer) is an important element in the fight against financial crime and money laundering, and customer identification is the most critical aspect as it is the first step to improving performance in the other stages of the process. The study aims to enhance a risk-based approach to increase the effectiveness of anti-money laundering through the use of LEI (Legal Entity Identifier) to e-Know Your customer. The results of the study showed: (1) the advantages of e-KYC compared to KYC, (2) the importance of using the LEIs in e-KYC, which enhances a risk-based approach to AML, and (3) the importance of accrediting the Central Bank of Egypt as an accredited and qualified LOU for LEI registrations processes in Egypt.

While PPP have been widely researched in many aspects, private partner disclosure of PPP information has not been addressed. This study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the disclosure of information on PPP projects in Egypt, to contribute to filling some gaps in research, and to enhance accountability for PPP projects in Egypt.Design/methodology/approach: The disclosure framework is designed based on the main drivers for disclosure, the main factors that are directly related to the disclosure requirements under the Egyptian Accounting Standard (EAS) No. 44 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities, and the different uses and categories of information users. With a focus on the utilities sector in Egypt, a case study approach was used to implement the disclosure framework.Research limitations: Although all the elements of disclosure are very important, researchers have focused their attention on those elements that deserve more attention from the point of view of the PPP and related to disclosure requirements under EAS 44.Originality/value: The main contributions made by this paper relate to achieving compliance with disclosure requirements under EAS 44 in the proposed framework, as well as providing important insights for fruitful directions that future research can take to investigate the extent and quality of disclosure by private sector partners.

No abstract