Asian Journal of Accounting and Governance

Tax Avoidance in Malaysia: A Scoping Review

Nur Khairunnisa Adnan — 2025-10-31

This study aims to identify the key factors that influence tax avoidance actions and relevant theories related to tax avoidance studies in Malaysia. The study employs a scoping review methodology, which is based on the new PRISMA-ScR writing guidelines. Secondary data was sourced from three databases: Scopus, Emerald Insight, and MyCite. This study is limited to Malaysia and covers a period of 13 years, from 2012 to 2024. After analysis, the data collected about 30 articles that illustrate an overall trend of factors influencing tax avoidance activities in Malaysian companies. This study identified several key factors of tax avoidance with a particular focus on corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, and ownership structure. This study also has the potential to make valuable contributions to both academic and practical domains. The prominent theories identified in relation to tax avoidance include agency theory, legitimacy theory, and stakeholder theory. These theories provide valuable academic insights and offer new ideas for future research.

Disclosures via Internet Reporting: A literature review and agenda for future research

Mohd Shazwan Mohd Ariffin — 2025-10-31

The disclosure of information in the annual report is divided into statutory requirements and regulatory requirements. Compared to mandatory disclosure, voluntary disclosure is a signal for companies to align their business objectives with the existing business environments. There is still a lack of evidence on how disclosures via internet reporting can attract existing shareholders and potential investors. The purpose of this paper is to explore the selection, approaches, and current movement of the prior literature employed by researchers in examining the factors of voluntary disclosures via internet reporting globally. The data analysed in this study were collected through a review of databases from Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) based on 36 articles published between 2010 and 2021. The sample articles on the related documents of voluntary disclosures via internet reporting were located by searching relevant information related to the articles’ titles, abstracts, and keywords. The study applied Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Our analysis reveal insights on how internet reporting is studied and the drivers on the disclosures. Hence, the study recommends the listed companies to used voluntary disclosures via internet reporting as the medium of the communication in the digitalisation era. This paper contributes to filling these gaps by reviewing empirical research a ten-year observation on disclosures via internet reporting.

Revealing the Tax Compliance Behaviour among Residential Property owners.

Noor Diyana Nasuha Noor Heshamuddin — 2025-10-31

In Malaysia, local governments are facing a decline in the collection of residential property assessment taxes, primarily attributable to an increase in non-compliance among residential property owners. As these taxes constitute over half of the local government's revenue, understanding the factors influencing tax compliance is imperative. This study examines the significant factors of tax compliance among residential property owners, including tax knowledge, awareness, morale, and penalties. Applying the theory of planned behaviour, this research investigates the behavioral patterns of residential property owners when fulfilling their residential property assessment tax obligations. Employing a quantitative approach, the questionnaires were distributed to residential property owners in Selangor, resulting in 108 valid responses. The findings reveal that tax awareness and morale significantly influence the willingness of residential property owners to pay residential property assessment taxes. However, no apparent relationship was found between tax compliance and knowledge. These results suggest that local government authorities to devise robust compliance enforcement strategies and actively engage with residential property owners to reinforce tax collection. The implications of this study are substantial for future researchers and academicians, as they elucidate consistent factors influencing tax compliance among residential property owners, aligning with prior research in the field. These insights emphasize the need for tailored strategies to address specific determinants of non-compliance, ensuring a more effective and sustainable approach to revenue collection for local governments.

Exploring Conflicts and Governance: A Bibliometric Analysis of Related Party Transactions

Rabaatul Azira Hassan — 2025-10-31

Related party transactions (RPTRs) have garnered global attention due to their potential to compromise financial reporting quality (FRQ) through opportunistic behaviour. The ongoing argument on whether RPTRs are value-adding or harmful highlights the need for deeper exploration. This study fills this gap by engaging a bibliometric analysis of 490 publications on RPTRs and FRQ from 1989 to 2024, sourced from Scopus. The analysis identifies key trends, influential authors, and dominant themes such as corporate governance, tunneling, propping earnings management, and agency theory. Notably, scholarly interest surged after 2017, with significant contributions from China, the United States, and Australia. Despite progress, gaps persist in understanding the effectiveness of governance mechanisms in mitigating RPTRs risks. Limitations include reliance on Scopus and keyword-based searches, which may exclude relevant works. This study offers a quantitative foundation for future research and provides actionable insights for policymakers and corporate stakeholders to enhance transparency and promote the practices of high-quality financial reporting.

Mapping Trends on Good Governance: A Bibliometric Analysis

Mohamed Hassan Mudey — 2025-10-31

The study's objective is to analyze the evolution of the literature on good governance from 2018 to 2023. We systematically searched Scopus databases and utilized bibliometric methods to analyze the publications. This study examined 1278 articles. Our analysis used software such as Excel, VOSviewer, and Publish or Perish. The study revealed a consistent annual increase in the number of articles focusing on good governance. Notably, all the articles were published in English, with the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and Australia being the most prolific contributors. Authors Grossi, G. and Cuadrado-Ballesteros, B. emerged as the top contributors in terms of both publications and citations within the field. Universiti Teknologi Mara accounted for the highest number of publications, comprising 25 papers of research in this area. The study identified popular research themes in business, management, and accounting, and social sciences, all interconnected with the overarching concept of good governance. The analysis indicates that the papers underscored a growing scholarly emphasis and impact on good governance in the public sector across the six years under review. The study’s reliance on the Scopus database limits its scope, potentially missing relevant publications from other databases. Additionally, the focus on quantitative metrics may overlook qualitative aspects of the research. Future research should include a broader range of databases and incorporate qualitative thematic reviews to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the field.

AI in Audit and Accounting: A Qualitative Exploration

Bhumika Gambhir — 2025-10-31

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made inroads into nearly all industries, from governance to finance and education to healthcare and retail. As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) encourages digitalization as a way of life for individuals and businesses to optimize efficiency, the consequences need to be carefully analyzed. Concerning the application of AI to accounting and auditing domains in the UAE, this study intends to analyze the perspectives of auditors and accountants. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I was the exploratory phase, in which the data was collected using an open-ended questionnaire survey. The responses (qualitative data) collected from 21 accounting and audit experts were analyzed using Atlas.ti in Phase II. This research breaks through the hype and offers clear ﬁndings related to the perceptions of professionals towards the application of AI. The study adds to the existing body of knowledge by being one of the few empirical studies examining AI’s effects on accounting and audit professionals. It demonstrates the challenges and opportunities of using AI in accounting and auditing in the UAE context.

Interorganisational Collaboration Workflow Challenges and the Potential of Technology Integration for E-Payment Process Improvement: A Case Study of a Malaysian Public Sector Agency

Khairil Faizal Khairi — 2025-10-31

The Internet revolution has transformed payment systems globally, accelerating the adoption of electronic payments and advancing the agenda of a cashless society. In Malaysia, this shift has gained momentum in both public and private sectors, with Bank Negara Malaysia reporting over RM551 billion in electronic payment transactions in 2024. However, persistent challenges in interorganisational collaboration workflows among government agencies in Malaysia, acquiring banks, and accounting offic’s continue to hinder post-collection efficiency. The Auditor General’s 2022 report highlighted over RM6 billion in delayed fund transfers, leading to late revenue recognition and operational inefficiency. Employing a qualitative case study approach, this study explores the challenges of interorganisational collaboration workflows within the Transport License Department’s electronic payment process. Four major themes emerged: non-integrated operations, operational inefficiencies, service level discrepancies, and communication barriers. Four human-centred themes such as brain drain, individual effort, personal traits, and the need for appreciation revealed the socio-organisational dimensions influencing workflow performance. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by extending the interorganisational collaboration framework with a fifth dimension: human attributes. Practically, it advocates for integrated digital systems, service level agreement enforcement mechanisms, and institutional recognition strategies. At the same time, the findings are based on a single case and offer a valuable reference for the broader public sector agencies. Future research should explore the suitability of technology, particularly blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data, in strengthening interorganisational workflows. Overall, this study offers a holistic view of structural and human attributes essential for optimising public sector e-payment systems.

Audit Berulang Kali ke atas Syarikat Permotoran bagi Perusahaan Mikro, Kecil dan Sederhana (PMKS) Di Malaysia: Perspektif LHDNM

Mohamad Zaki Md Jani — 2025-12-05

Audit cukai berulang kali merupakan cabaran utama dalam memastikan pematuhan cukai di Malaysia, khususnya dalam kalangan syarikat Perusahaan Mikro, Kecil dan Sederhana (PMKS) sektor permotoran. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang menyumbang kepada fenomena ini serta menilai keberkesanan langkah-langkah pematuhan yang dilaksanakan oleh Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDNM). Pendekatan kualitatif digunakan dalam kajian ini, melalui temu bual separa berstruktur yang melibatkan empat pegawai atasan LHDNM. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kekurangan pengetahuan percukaian, kelemahan kawalan dalaman syarikat PMKS serta persepsi negatif terhadap sistem percukaian negara merupakan faktor utama yang menyumbang kepada ketidakpatuhan cukai. Kajian ini mengesyorkan usaha untuk memperkukuh kompetensi pegawai audit, memperluas program pendidikan percukaian, dan menilai semula struktur penalti sebagai langkah untuk meningkatkan pematuhan cukai secara sukarela. Hasil kajian ini dapat memberikan panduan yang berguna kepada pembuat dasar untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan strategi pematuhan cukai di Malaysia, khususnya bagi menyokong pembangunan sektor PMKS.

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review

Cheng Tao — 2025-12-05

As digital transformation assumes an increasingly significant role in countries, industries, and companies, academics are growing interested in exploring its economic effects. The focus of this paper is to examine the current state and findings of research on digital transformation concerning enterprise operations, investment, and financing. By conducting a visual and bibliometric analysis of SSCI 1-2 articles published between 2018 and 2022, this paper identified influential articles, countries, words, and topics within this field. Subsequently, through a detailed review and summarisation of each article, it is evident that current research on the economic consequences of digital transformation predominantly centres around the operation of enterprises. However, there is a noticeable gap in research on digital transformation in financing and investment. This lacuna provides huge and promising areas for future research. This is the first review article that delves into the study of digital transformation from the above perspectives. This unique approach is poised to contribute to a deeper comprehension of digital transformation within corporate finance. Additionally, this article is a valuable resource for supporting corporate digital transformation and guides the formulation and implementation of policies to stimulate digital transformation. Furthermore, the paper suggests lots of future research directions in digital transformation.

ESG performance and corporate competitiveness under the SDGs: The mediating role of financing constraints

Ong Tze San — 2025-12-05

ESG performance is an essential practical tool for driving high-quality corporate development. This research constructs a research framework of "ESG performance - financing constraints - corporate competitiveness" to explore the relationships among these three variables. Using unbalanced panel data of A-share listed companies in China from 2018 to 2022, this study empirically examines the impact of ESG performance on corporate competitiveness and the mediating role of financing constraints. The results indicate that Chinese companies can simultaneously improve ESG performance and corporate competitiveness while pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (such as SDGs 8 and 9), with financing constraints mediating role. Furthermore, the correlation between ESG performance and competitiveness also shows significant heterogeneity. For firms in growth and maturity, the positive impact of ESG performance on competitiveness is more evident. This study clarifies how China can leverage the synergies between ESG performance, financing constraints, corporate life cycle, and competitiveness under the SDGs.

Peranan Sistem Kawalan Dalaman Dan Modal Insan Strategik Terhadap Prestasi Koperasi Di Malaysia

Amizawati Mohd Amir — 2025-12-05

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini mengkaji hubungan antara sistem kawalan dalaman (SKD) terhadap prestasi koperasi serta peranan Modal Insan Strategik dalam mengukuhkan hubungan antara SKD dan prestasi koperasi dengan memastikan pekerja mempunyai keupayaan untuk melaksanakan tugas dengan cekap dan berkesan. Modal Insan Strategik merupakan penjajaran proaktif antara pengurusan bakat dan objektif strategik organisasi kerana modal insan yang kompeten mampu mempengaruhi kecekapan koperasi. Sebanyak 221 soal selidik yang lengkap yang mewakili kadar respons sebanyak 58.6% telah dikutip daripada 377 koperasi yang diwakili oleh Anggota Lembaga Koperasi (ALK) atau Pengurus Koperasi sebagai responden. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa komponen SKD, aktiviti kawalan koperasi, pemantauan koperasi dan penilaian risiko mempunyai kesan positif dan signifikan terhadap prestasi koperasi. Selain itu, Modal Insan Strategik didapati menyederhanakan hubungan antara SKD dan prestasi koperasi khususnya pada aspek penilaian risiko dan komunikasi maklumat. Kajian ini juga menekankan kepentingan Modal Insan Strategik dalam memperkukuhkan hubungan antara SKD dan Prestasi Koperasi. Koperasi yang ingin meningkatkan prestasi mereka harus melabur dalam pembangunan modal insan yang berpengetahuan dan berkemahiran inovatif dalam memastikan kejayaan koperasi.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Upper Echelon Theory: Mapping Two Decades of Research Evolution and Emerging Trends (2004-2024)

Wang Yining

This study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically review 2,427 publications related to Upper Echelon Theory (UET) from 2004 to 2024. The research is based on the Web of Science Core Collection database and analyzed through keyword, author, country, citations, publications, universities and journals. The findings reveal a significant increase in UET-related publications over the past two decades, particularly after 2010, signaling growing scholarly interest in the theory. The study highlights a surge in international collaborations, underscoring the global reach of UET research. Notably, U.S. and Chinese researchers have been leading contributors, with key authors such as Donald C. Hambrick and Mariano Heyden shaping the field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals that the top management team, corporate governance, and organizational performance are central topics in UET research. Furthermore, the analysis of findings identifies the emerging research themes, particularly the growing integration of UET with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, green innovation, and sustainability. This study also presents an overview of UET’s intellectual structure, providing insights into emerging trends and offering recommendations for future research directions.

Governance Mechanisms and CSR Disclosure: The Role of AAOIFI Standards in Enhancing Transparency among Takaful Companies

Fahru Azwa Mohd Zain

This study explores the impact of governance mechanisms on the voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure of Takaful companies, with a specific focus on compliance with AAOIFI Governance Standards No.7. Using content analysis of annual reports from Takaful companies in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions; the research examines how Corporate Governance (CG) and Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB) influence the adoption of these standards. The findings reveal that while CG strength significantly enhances voluntary CSR disclosure, the impact of SSB is insignificant. Additionally, political and civil repression negatively correlates with voluntary disclosure, indicating that companies in less-repressed societies are more inclined to provide CSR information. This research underscores the critical role of robust CG in promoting transparency and highlights the influence of societal contexts on disclosure practices. The study contributes to the literature by elucidating the role of AAOIFI standards in enhancing CSR disclosure within the Takaful industry.

Greenwashing Unveiled: Insights from a Bibliometric Analysis

Suya Li

As greenwashing is a hot topic in business, this bibliometric review aims to comprehensively analyze the greenwashing research, focusing on trends and knowledge gaps. It offers important insights for researchers and practitioners who understand the complex dynamics of corporate environmental deception. By reviewing the academic literature in the WOS database for last 25 years, this paper employs bibliometric methods to analyze publication trends in greenwashing research, notable authors, major countries contributing to the field, influential articles and noteworthy journals, and patterns of collaboration in greenwashing research. In addition, the abstracts were sentiment analyzed using Natural Language Processing to reveal the tendency of opinions in the field of greenwashing. The review identifies a growth in greenwashing research since 2021, with an upward trend in multi-authored publications, suggesting an increasing number of collaborative studies. Research on greenwashing needs to be increased in emerging economies. With a high percentage of authors publishing only one article in the field of greenwashing, there is a current need for more players to advance the field of greenwashing. This review presents the first sentiment analysis of the greenwashing literature, and although positive attitudes predominate, critical attitudes are gradually increasing. Despite the progress in greenwashing research, significant gaps remain, and this review offers possibilities for future research directions.