The impact of stakeholders' pressure and business uncertainties on the correlation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance within small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is under researched. This study aims to derive the correlation of CSR antecedents, CSR practices, stakeholders' pressures, business uncertainties, and organizational performance of SMEs in the UAE. The data was collected through a survey from 117 SMEs in the UAE, and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The study reveals that the level of importance SMEs attach to CSR antecedents influences positively the extent of SMEs involvement with CSR practices; and these, in turn, translate into significant performance outcomes for SMEs. Business uncertainties are proved to moderate both relationships (CSR antecedents-CSR practices; and CSR practices-SMEs performance); while stakeholders' pressure is found to have no moderating effect on CSR antecedent-CSR practices relationship. The proposed framework could be adopted in any economy for enhancing performance through CSR.

Purpose E-corporate governance or the use of technologies and information systems (ISs) in corporate governance, is still a subject that is too seldom addressed in business research. This paper is at the intersection between two fields of research (corporate governance and the management of ISs), which are interdependent in ways that are still unexplored. The paper analyzes the implications of internet voting (IV) at shareholders’ annual meetings (SAM) for the corporate governance of listed companies in France, in particular for the relationship between executives and shareholders. Most of the studies that have dealt with IV at SAM have focused on techno-legal issues and were often conducted by business law researchers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of the new voting system through the prism of corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach The authors proceeded by triangulation of methods. This qualitative study is based on observations, interviews and documentary analysis. It assessed the IV implications for both the issuing companies and the shareholders. Findings The new voting system brings undeniable competitive advantage to the issuing company and facilitates shareholders’ activism, yet it has serious risks both for the corporations and for certain categories of the shareholder. Interestingly, the authors propose an original and field-grounded typology that distinguishes the risks and benefits associated with IV in relation to executives’ attitudes. Social implications The paper shows that the resolving of identified deficiencies with IV development could contribute to the alignment of companies’ interests with those of shareholders. Moreover, the study calls for policymakers to appoint an official body to regulate the practical implementation of the new system and to prevent its dissemination being held hostage to the executives’ willingness. Originality/value An original aspect of this research lies in the effective operationalization of the constructs of corporate governance effectiveness with a view to examining corporate governance as a set of technologically mediated practices. Moreover, this study emphasizes the key role of the construct of “executives’ willingness” in facilitating/impeding IV diffusion. This underlies their attempts to reverse the corporate governance relationship.

Purpose Blockchain looks to be the next step of technology transformation and would redesign the business landscape. It is expected to have an impact on business methods in the next few years; which add new challenges and complexity to the accounting and assurance profession. This paper aims to analyze the perceptions of accountants and auditors toward the implementation of blockchain technology in the UAE after the government decided to transform 50% of government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach has been used in this study. A semi-structural interview has been conducted with 19 accountants, internal auditors, auditors and risk managers on the potential opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology on accounting and auditing practices in the UAE. Findings The findings show that the blockchain impacts on the accounting profession in terms of recording of transactions, storing evidence and providing a secured environment for conducting business transactions. For the auditors, the results indicate that the blockchain changes their audit process and strategy. The blockchain has great potential to supplement traditional auditing by providing a low-cost and decentralized audit process and automated audit evidence. The accounting of the companies will not be changed but it will be automated with the development of cryptocurrencies and blockchain activities. The blockchain will be developed in assurance services through the awareness and involvement of accounts and auditors. Originality/value The study contributes to the existing literature as follows. First, the research is one of the very few studies that discussed empirically the effect of blockchain on the accounting and assurance profession, which contributes to improved knowledge about the potential of blockchain technology to accounting and assurance services. Second, our research is the first to explore the accountants and financial auditors’ perceptions regarding the potential effect of blockchain technology on their profession in the UAE context after the government decided to transform 50% of government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021. Third, the research identifies the pending challenges for blockchain and possible factors for its effectiveness.

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