Objectives: This research aimed to empirically examine the transformative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption on financial reporting quality in Jordanian banking, with internal controls as a hypothesized mediation mechanism. Methodology: Quantitative survey data was collected from 130 bank personnel. Multi-item reflective measures assessed AI adoption, internal controls, and financial reporting quality—structural equation modelling analysis relationships between constructs. Findings: The research tested four hypotheses grounded in agency and contingency theories. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated sound measurement models. Structural equation modelling revealed that AI adoption significantly transformed financial reporting quality. The mediating effect of internal controls on the AI-quality relationship was supported. Specifically, the path from AI adoption to quality was significant, indicating a positive impact. Despite internal controls strongly predicting quality, its mediating effect significantly shaped the degree of transformation driven by AI adoption. The indirect effect of AI on quality through internal controls was also significant. Findings imply a growing diffusion of AI applications in core financial reporting systems. Practical implications: Increasing AI applications focus on holistically transforming systems, reflecting committing adoption. Jordanian banks selectively leverage controls to moderate AI-induced transformations. Originality/value: This study provides essential real-world insights into how AI is adopted and impacts the Jordanian banking sector, a key player in a fast-evolving developing economy. By examining the role of internal controls, it deepens our understanding of how AI works in practice and offers practical advice for integrating technology effectively and improving information quality. Its mixed methods, unique context, and focus on AI’s impact on organizations significantly enrich academic literature. Recommendations: Banks should invest in integrated AI architectures, strategically strengthen critical controls to steer transformations, and incrementally translate AI innovations into core processes.

Financial literacy and financial intermediation are vital tools for all businesses, particularly women micro-entrepreneurs. Even with modest means, they have been shown to considerably contribute to economic independence at the family, national, and international levels. Since Indonesian women microentrepreneurs still have trouble getting bank loans (being unbanked), the majority of them join cooperatives. Cooperatives are without doubt the financial intermediation institutions of choice for micro-communities; nonetheless, research on the subject is still scarce, particularly in developing nations. In order to bridge this gap, this study looks at the role of cooperatives as financial intermediation organizations. Examining the impact of financial literacy through cooperative financial intermediation on the financial performance of Indonesian women microentrepreneurs is the main goal of the study. The cross-sectional data were identified using purposive approaches and processed with the use of Smart PLS as part of an explanatory research approach. The direct influence test results demonstrate that enhancing financial performance and financial intermediation are directly impacted by financial literacy. Additionally, financial intermediation (cooperatives) was successful in influencing the impact of financial literacy on the financial performance of micro-entrepreneurs in Indonesia, according to the findings of the mediation effect test.

This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), capital structure, and financial distress in Jordan’s financial services sector. It tests the mediating effect of capital structure on the CSR-distress linkage. Utilizing a panel data regression approach, the analysis examines a sample of 35 Jordanian banks and insurance firms from 2015–2020. CSR is evaluated through content analysis of sustainability disclosures. Financial distress is measured using Altman’s Z-score model. The findings reveal an insignificant association between aggregated CSR engagement and bankruptcy risk. However, capital structure significantly mediates the impact of CSR on financial distress. Specifically, enhanced CSR enables higher leverage capacity, subsequently escalating distress risk. The results advance academic literature on the nuanced pathways linking CSR to financial vulnerability. For practitioners, optimally balancing CSR and financial sustainability is recommended to strengthen resilience. This study provides novel empirical evidence on the contingent nature of CSR financial impacts within Jordan’s understudied financial services sector. The conclusions offer timely insights to inform policies aimed at achieving sustainable and stable financial sector development.

This study examines the relationship between board diversity (in term of percentage of female board members, educational qualification, independent directors, interlocking directorship, and financial literacy) and earnings quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. The study used secondary data from the stock exchange fact books and audited financial statements of the selected companies. We adopted a quantitative research design in which data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three variants of regression model, namely pooled ordinary least square, fixed effects and random effects models were estimated. Results revealed that significant differences exist in board diversity and earnings quality across the listed insurance companies in Nigeria. Also, the impact of board diversity on earnings quality is positive and strong. That is, the higher the company’s board diversity the better the ability to generate quality earnings. The results suggest than insurance companies with large number of women on the board are more likely to generate higher quality earning than those dominated by men. The paper draws the attention of management of listed insurance companies to the need to comply with the code of corporate governance on board diversity to increase the number of women on the board and ensure that the board consists of educationally qualified members, and financial literate members. The study also draws the attention of Nigeria Stock Exchange Group (NSGG) and other regulatory authorities to the need for regulation that will make disclosure of directors’ personal information a regulatory disclosure.

This paper analyzes the characteristics and influence mechanisms of financial support for China’s strategic emerging industries. Using a sample of 356 listed companies across nine major industries, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the efficiency of financial support and its influencing factors. In addition, this paper analyzes the influence mechanism of financial support for strategic emerging industries based on the relevant theory of financial support for industry development. It clarifies the internal and external influencing factors. Based on the theoretical analysis, a two-stage empirical investigation was conducted: The data of 356 listed companies in strategic emerging industries from 2010 to 2022 were selected as a sample, and the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was applied to measure efficiency. The influencing factors were then analyzed using a Tobit regression and an intermediate effects test.

The rise of financial inclusion has notably increased household engagement in risky financial asset allocation, posing challenges to macro-financial stability. This study explored the crucial role of financial literacy in enabling households to effectively engage with complex financial markets and products. Specifically, it examined how different aspects of financial literacy—knowledge, attitudes, and skills—influence both the participation and depth of household investment in risky financial assets in China. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey, which included 32,458 households, this study employed a robust indicator system and regression analysis via STATA 17.0 to assess these impacts. The results demonstrated that enhancements in financial literacy significantly foster increased engagement and deeper involvement in risky asset allocation, particularly through improved financial attitudes. Additionally, the analysis revealed that households led by women show a higher propensity towards risky asset investments than those led by men. These insights suggested the potential for targeted financial education to improve the financial health and economic resilience of Chinese households.