Summary: This paper uses both role theory and audit expectations gap theory to critically evaluate the ability of Value for Money (VfM) audit procedures to improve performance in UK public sector organisations. The paper reports on an empirical study of seventeen auditors and twenty two representatives of VfM client organisations. Specifically, the study has the following objectives; to examine auditors" and clients" expectations and perceptions about the ability of the VfM audit to improve public sector organisations" performance;  to examine, from both auditors" and clients" perspectives, the impact of the interplay of personal (the VfM auditors" competence relevance of skills, experience and knowledge of the public bodies" activities), interpersonal (task interdependence between the external VfM auditors and the clients) and external factors (the ambiguity of the VfM audit process) on the VfM audit performance; and  to identify the nature of potential role conflicts in the VfM audit environment along with the causes and consequences of such potential conflicts.The results show that the VfM audit was perceived as an important potential means with which to improve institutional performance in the public sector, but had been poorly implemented in the audited bodies. While the majority of the VfM auditors interviewed took an extremely positive view of their own achievements in terms of improving public institutions" performances and delivering VfM services, the majority of the clients that we interviewed were not convinced of their auditors" competence to carry out a VfM audit effectively, and to provide them with valuable recommendations.Our results show that differences in expectations and perceptions of role between the external VfM auditors and the auditees give rise to significant conflict. Three types of role conflict

The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent empirical studies on corporate disclosures, in the aim of examining the link between disclosure quality (DQ) and financial reporting quality, audit quality, and investors’ perceptions of the quality of financial reporting and providing recommendations for future research on this topic. Seventy-eight empirical studies, published in several relevant journals from 2003 onwards (i.e. one year after the commencement of the SOX 2002), have been categorized and analyzed in order to identify the link between the aforementioned variables. The analysis has revealed that the Sarbanes Oxley Act (2002) has significantly increased management awareness of the importance of accounting disclosures. In general, the majority of the studies which have been reviewed have identified the presence of a positive correlation between four aforementioned variables. These findings lend credence to the belief that these variables may well be classified as dependent since they are complementary. Finally, the review presents a discussion of the limitations of the studies and provides useful recommendations for future research on this topic.

This research paper aims to examine the relevance of asymmetric information to the two main financial contracts used by Islamic banks or conventional banks with Islamic windows, mudaraba and musharaka. We use theoretical proofs to explain how asymmetric information affects mudaraba and musharaka contract in terms of bank cost and yield and how to account for the adverse selection and moral hazard costs when calculating bank net profit or loss. We also provide suggestions supported by key modern theories including signalling, comparative advantage and incentives to resolve asymmetric information problems in the Islamic financial contracts. The research paper shows that asymmetric information is relevant to both mudaraba and musharaka contracts and directly affects Islamic banks and conventional banks with Islamic windows cost and yield. The paper also reveals that signalling and incentives are effective tools to deal with asymmetric information in Islamic financial contracts. Finally, the paper shows that Islamic finance providers need to opt for more secure financing, particularly with small borrowers.

This study aims to examine if auditors of the Saudi Supreme Audit Institution (SSAI) have exerted influence on administrators in Saudi Public Institutions in order to improve the way they manage public resources. The study also examines the impact of the public administrators' personal factors, i.e. the experience and qualifications of administrators on the contributions made by the SSAI, in terms of facilitating the undertaking of changes in the public administrations. The result of a survey of 96 Saudi public officials shows that the SSAI can claim remarkable achievements, in terms of improving Saudi public affairs. Administrators, irrespective of their experience and qualifications, have shown positive perceptions of the process of performance audit and that they are convinced of the usefulness and the quality of the SSAI's reports. This study reveals that the SSAI has contributed towards helping the managements of public organisations define their priorities and adopt both strategic and operational plans. It has also helped them evaluate their projects and services, identify the problems and shortcomings of these projects and services, and then provide valuable recommendations to rectify them.

The broad aim of this study was to measure the extent of Internet Financial Reporting Disclosure (IFRD) in the Saudi Listed Manufacturing Companies (SLMCs). It extends the current literature on IFRD by providing empirical data on Saudi Arabia, a developing country which has been scarcely researched in this field of study. Fifty-three SLMCs were investigated based on an unweighted checklist of 75 items (20 for presentation and 55 for content). The study also employed multi regression analysis to examine the status of IFRD. The analysis revealed an overall level of IFRD of 45 per cent. The study also provided empirical evidence of significant positive associations between IFRD and both company size and profitability. However, no significant positive associations were found between IFRD and company leverage or listed age. The study provides empirical evidence of a moderate IFRD rate. This is likely to motivate Saudi regulatory bodies and administrators of the SLMCs to increase the amount of information they disclose on their websites in order to enhance the transparency of their reports and meet all stakeholder expectations. The findings of this study are exclusive to the SLMCs and do not provide a complete picture about online disclosure by all Saudi listed companies. Therefore, future studies could investigate the status of online disclosure across all Saudi Listed Companies.