EuroMed J. of Management (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Empowering corporate boards: the impact of diversity on agency costs in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector  
  by Wisdom Okere, Wasiu Sanyaolu , Nonso John Okoye 
  Abstract: The research study investigated the impact of board diversity on agency costs in listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study utilised panel regression methodology and revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between BGD and agency cost. This study shows that there is a positive and insignificant relationship between board diversity, board age diversity and agency cost of the oil and gas firms. It also shows a negative and significant relationship between FCF and BED because the coefficient of BED is -0.035516 and the p-value is 0.0121. The study finds that board diversity based on ethnicity and foreign expatriates has no significant impact on executive salaries. However, gender diversity positively influences executive compensation. Additionally, CEO attributes, such as financial expertise and proper compensation, reduce earnings manipulation and improve financial reporting quality. This study suggests that Considering implementing diversity quotas or policies to promote diversity a
  Keywords: corporate boards; diversity; agency costs; board dynamics; Nigeria.
  DOI: 10.1504/EMJM.2025.10069086
   
  
• Exploring passenger perceptions of biometric security in air travel  
  by Ali Mohammed Kassir 
  Abstract: The surge in global air traffic is pressuring airports to deliver faster passenger processing without compromising security. Biometric self-service technologies (SSTs) - such as facial-recognition e-gates - promise shorter queues and more reliable identity checks, yet public acceptance hinges on privacy and risk perceptions. This study investigates how data-privacy concerns, perceived risk, perceived control, and prior knowledge shape travellers intentions to use biometric SSTs. A survey of 386 international passengers analysed with structural-equation modelling and moderated by flying frequency, shows that perceived control is the strongest positive predictor of usage intention. In contrast, privacy concerns and perceived risk exert significant adverse effects. Frequent flyers moderate only the risk-intention path, suggesting habituation does not uniformly dampen concerns. The findings refine TAM/UTAUT theory for biometric contexts and offer practical guidance for airports: emphasise user control, communicate data-protection safeguards, and tailor messaging to experience levels.
  Keywords: biometric security; self-service technologies; SSTs; data privacy; perceived control.
  DOI: 10.1504/EMJM.2025.10071839
   
  
• The effect of job satisfaction on organisational citizenship behaviour with reference to work-from-home employees in the IT industry  
  by Treesa Antony, R. Latha 
  Abstract: This study examines the association between job satisfaction (JS) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) among work-from-home (WFH) employees in the IT industry. Utilising a quantitative approach, data were collected via a standardised questionnaire from 100 WFH employees (population: 900) through convenience sampling and analysed using correlation and regression. The results revealed a strong, favourable association between JS and OCB (r = 0.628, p < 0.001), with JS explaining 39.5% of the variance in OCB. Results indicated that higher JS significantly predicts increased OCB, emphasising the role of intrinsic factors such as meaningful work, WLB and career development. Results suggest that remote work policies emphasising WLB and career growth enhance discretionary behaviours. The study contributes to remote work literature by validating the JS-OCB link in WFH contexts. Practical implications suggest organisations should prioritise tailored engagement initiatives, skill-building opportunities, and flexible policies to enhance remote employees’ satisfaction and discretionary behaviours. limitations include potential sampling bias, a cross-sectional design, and industry-specific focus, warranting future longitudinal studies across diverse sectors. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and explore diverse sectors to strengthen causal inferences and broaden applicability. These findings underscore the importance of fostering job satisfaction to cultivate citizenship behaviours in remote work environments.
  Keywords: organisational citizenship behaviour; OCB; job satisfaction; JS; work from home; WFH; IT Industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/EMJM.2025.10072297
   
  
• Environmental, social and governance performance and firm tax avoidance: the case of Egypt  
  by Rana Amr Shahin 
  Abstract: This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the association between ESG performance and firm tax avoidance by examining the moderating effects of cash holdings and ownership structures in the Egyptian context. Based on a sample of firms listed on the Standard and Poor’s/Egyptian Stock Exchange ESG index over the 2016-2023 period, results show that a one-unit increase in ESG score is associated with a 6.2% increase in effective tax rates, indicating reduced tax avoidance. Moreover, the significant impact of high ESG performance on reducing tax avoidance is especially evident in firms with high levels of cash holdings and non-government ownership. These findings have policy implications for countries with high levels of tax avoidance, as they emphasize the importance of firms’ ESG engagement in alleviating tax avoidance practices. Policymakers shall tailor ESG strategies to ensure that the intended benefits align with the different characteristics of firms.
  Keywords: ESG; tax avoidance; cash holdings; ownership structure; Egypt.
  DOI: 10.1504/EMJM.2025.10074215
   
  
• New product development capabilities and SMEs’ financial performance: the moderating role of innovation orientation  
  by Justice Boateng Dankwah, Sayibu Ibrahim Nnindini 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationship between new product development capabilities and the financial performance of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, emphasising the moderating role of innovation orientation. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, the research explores how firms adapt and leverage internal and external resources to achieve competitive advantage. Data was collected from 250 SMEs, and the data was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between NPD capabilities and financial performance, indicating that effective NPD processes contribute to profitability. Furthermore, innovation orientation positively moderates this relationship, suggesting that SMEs with a strong culture of innovation can maximise the financial benefits of NPD. These results challenge existing theoretical assumptions and highlight the importance of fostering innovation as a strategic enabler. This study contributes to the theoretical advancement of dynamic capabilities theory by examining underexplored dimensions and offering practical recommendations for the management of SMEs and policymakers. It underscores the need for resource allocation to NPD and innovation initiatives to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. Recommendations for future research include examining these relationships in other sectors and using longitudinal designs to capture dynamic interactions over time.
  Keywords: developing economy; innovation orientation; financial performance; manufacturing SMEs.
  DOI: 10.1504/EMJM.2025.10074216