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Corporate ethics: evidence from Islamic banks

Author

Listed:
  • Majdi A. Quttainah

    (Kuwait University)

  • Ali R. Almutairi

    (Kuwait University)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether banks’ management behavior is related to corporate ethics. We employ earnings-management and expense-preference measures to evaluate management behavior. Using a very large sample of banks from 15 countries and controlling for a number of bank- and country-level factors, we find that managers in Islamic banks are less likely to engage in unethical business practices compared to those in commercial banks. We also document that Shari’ah supervisory boards embedded in Islamic banks affect and shape managerial behavior and mitigate agency problems. These results establish a link between corporate ethics and management behavior through Shari’ah and Shari’ah supervisory boards.

Suggested Citation

  • Majdi A. Quttainah & Ali R. Almutairi, 2017. "Corporate ethics: evidence from Islamic banks," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 21(4), pages 815-840, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:21:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10997-016-9360-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10997-016-9360-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Kabir Hassan, M. & Chiaramonte, Laura & Dreassi, Alberto & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Piserà, Stefano, 2021. "The crossroads of ESG and religious screening on firm risk," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    2. Hassan, M. Kabir & Chiaramonte, Laura & Dreassi, Alberto & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Piserà, Stefano, 2023. "Equity costs and risks in emerging markets: Are ESG and Sharia principles complementary?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Paltrinieri, Andrea & Dreassi, Alberto & Migliavacca, Milena & Piserà, Stefano, 2020. "Islamic finance development and banking ESG scores: Evidence from a cross-country analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    4. Hassan, M. Kabir & Chiaramonte, Laura & Dreassi, Alberto & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Piserà, Stefano, 2022. "The religious fringe of Corporate Social Responsibility," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 243-265.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ethics; Shari’ah; Shari’ah supervisory board; Agency problem; Earnings management; Expense preference behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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