In this study, we content analyzed chairman’s statements to measure the tone of COVID-19-related disclosure in Omani listed firms for the year ending 2020. We also examined whether audit committee (AC) characteristics influence disclosure tone. After controlling for corporate board and firm characteristics, our regression analysis showed that two AC characteristics (gender diversity and overlapped directors) positively affect good news information and negatively affect bad news information. It also showed that AC size positively affects bad news information. No evidence was found that the AC independence, meeting frequency, multi-directorships, and financial expertise have an impact on the tone of COVID-19-related disclosures. Our paper contributes to the growing literature by being the first study to examine whether AC characteristics influenced disclosure tone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that investors and regulatory bodies should take AC characteristics into account in determining the tone of COVID-19-related disclosures.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<br />Corporate social responsibility is one among the top prioritized agenda of any business organization. Many business organizations embraced CSR in a befitting manner and are evident from the number of activities undertaken by them. This paper aims to study the factors influencing the CSR initiatives of the banks in Sultanate of Oman. This is based on the major stakeholders’ perspective towards philanthropic angle of the banks. This study has its rational as the banks represent majority of the financial institutions in Oman. From this study, factors that influence the CSR activities of the banks are identified along with predominant factors that influence banks towards their social pursuits. The application of this research is to understand the stakeholders’ views and is expected to throw some more light into the societal perspective of the banks. This paper contributes to the existing literature in CSR activities of the banks and stakeholders participation in CSR.

The study investigates whether corporate board characteristics influence dividends policy in Omani listed firms. It also examines whether this relationship is determined by the recent global oil crisis. Using a sample of 109 listed firms in Muscat Securities Exchange between 2009 and 2019, we find that dividends payout is positively associated with board independence, board activity, and board nationality diversity. Though, no evidence is found that board size and gender diversity have an impact on dividends payout. Interestingly, when controlling for the global oil crisis, none of the corporate board attributes influence dividends payout. This study presents new evidence on the influence of board structure on dividends policy. The findings suggest that the impact of corporate board characteristics on dividends policy is contingent on the surrounding institutional environment (i.e., the recent global oil crisis).

Purpose: The objective of this research paper is to analyze the constructs behind the FinTech usage behavior and which factors contribute to the new financial technologies and to what extent demographic profiles affect FinTech adoption in Oman and analyze the factors that contribute to new business models of financial institutions from the adoption of convergent technologies in FinTech. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides a comprehensive literature review focused on scholarly and practitioner experiences with FinTech practices in an Omani institutional environment. A total of 250 questionnaires were collected in Oman. The study was carried out using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings: There is a positive and significant relationship between all the variables – Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, Habit, Perceived risk, and Trust have a positive and significant relationship with Behavioural Intention to adopt FinTech. Social Influence posited the strongest influence on the customers in the form of societal pressures to adopt change, followed by Effort Expectancy wherein there is no need for the financial knowledge of the process of the new system towards carrying out banking transactions. Research limitations/implications: It was recommended that the finding of the study should be introduced so that the stakeholders of FinTech products can enrich the consumer intention in adopting FinTech. Social Implications: The study helps in making proper decision-making towards ease of banking transactions. The study also will help the retail managers in to improve the process so that the customer accepts such financial technologies. Originality / Value: This paper is the first study of its kind to report the status of FinTech adoption in Oman. Keywords: FinTech, Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Usage of Fintech, Intention to use FinTech.

We examine the impact of nationality diversity in corporate boards on tax avoidance by assessing whether foreign directors play monitoring or advisory roles. We use a sample of 1049 firm-year observations from companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange between 2009 and 2019. We find that board nationality and audit committee nationality are associated with lower effective tax rates, which equated to more tax avoidance (an advisory role). Our findings offer an important implication for policymakers who are interested in determinants of and mechanisms to prevent tax avoidance. The implication is that caution should be exercised when appointing foreign directors to the board of directors in Oman.