The major objective of this study is to determine the impact of the self-assessment system of taxation on tax revenue in Nigeria. It was prompted by the major change and liberalisation in self-assessment system of tax administration in Nigeria in 2011. The study employed ex post facto experimental design to evaluate the difference in tax revenue before and after SAS implementation. It covered a period of 16 years, 2003 to 2018, eight years each of pre and post implementation of the system in Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and from the website of Federal Inland Revenue Service. Three research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Tax/GDP ratio and actual/target tax collection ratio were used to measure the efficiency of this system of taxation. The results of the analysis indicate a post- SAS (2011 to 2018) tax/GDP mean value of 5.07% lower than pre-SAS (2003 to 2010) tax to GDP ratio of 6.23%. Similar results were obtained using actual/target tax collection ratio. Further analysis, using paired sample t-test for pre and post SAS period tax/GDP ratio at 95% confidence level found this difference to be statistically insignificant, t (7) = 1.819 < 1.895 and the p-value was 0.112 > 0.05. It is therefore concluded that Self-Assessment System of taxation has a negative but insignificant effect on tax revenue in Nigeria. Since the efficiency of SAS has been well documented in several empirical studies in other countries, this study recommends a further review of the Self-Assessment Regulation 2011 to explore other means, in conjunction with the SAS, of improving efficiency of tax collection in Nigeria.

The financial performance of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) has been improving steadily throughout the world. In Africa, SACCOs have had a significant role in transforming the continent through financial support of businesses. The SACCOs play a fundamental role in Africa’s financial sector by assisting members save money and advancing credit. Regardless of this, statistics show that financial performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (DT-SACCOs) in Kenya is fluctuating as shown by non-performing loans which stood at 5.12%, 5.23% and 6.14% as at 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively, with that of 50% of DT-SACCOS in Western Kenya being even lower. Previous studies show mixed results in linking operational risk management with financial performance. Prior studies on the effect of operational risk management on financial performance have majorly focused on banks and other micro-finance institutions indicating that the effect of operational risk management on financial performance of DT-SACCOs in Western Kenya has not been established. The purpose of the study was therefore to establish the effect of operational risk management on financial performance with a particular focus on DT-SACCOs in Western Kenya. Correlational research design was adopted and a census of the 19 DT-SACCOs for the period 2013 to 2017 was selected, yielding 95 data points. Purposive sampling was used to select interviewees. Secondary data from financial statements was used. Unit root test showed that the data was stationary at levels. Expert opinion was sought to establish face, criterion, content and construct validities. Hierarchical panel data regression was used to analyse data. The findings show that operational risk management as measured by cost income ratio has a negative significant effect on financial performance (β = -0.0499, p = 0.0001) implying that a reduction in cost income ratio by a unit will improve financial performance by 4.99%........

While it is not rare to find sufficient literature and evidence on the roles and impact of monetary policy in industrialized economies in achieving macroeconomic objectives such as economic growth, employment and price stability among others; the evidence however from developing economies remain predominantly inconclusive and insufficient largely due to data challenges and structural rigidities within their financial setup and unlimited political interference in the implementation of monetary policy. This suggests that the success of monetary policy in any economy does not only depend to the choice of policy tool but also on other fundamentals such as the financial openness of the entire economy. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of monetary policy in five (5) African countries from 1980 to 2019 since most of the existing studies are limited to analysis on individual countries. Using panel regression analysis and fixed effect model with data set from World Bank database after ensuring that all the variables are stationary (unit root test). We established the presence of a monetary transmission mechanism flowing from higher growth in broad money to higher rates of inflation through to higher rates of economic growth. Positive growth in broad money caused significant increase in economic growth but with inflationary pressure in these countries. We therefore call for sound and positive growth in broad money in these five (5) African countries to achieve a positive balance between economic growth and price stability. Given the relatively stable political and socioeconomic conditions prevailing in these countries, it is necessary for monetary policymakers to institute sound and prudent measure to create the right environment for monetary policy to succeed.

Early in the Syrian conflict, US President Barack Obama drew a “red line” for the Syrian government on the issue of chemical weapons. The “red line” implies a new norm for the prohibition of chemical weapons: If a government uses chemical weapons against its civilians, other countries can strike it with force. After reports of chemical weapons attacks in Syria, the Obama administration’s attempt to implement the “red line” shows that “strike by force” in its proposed norm can be carried out without authorization from the United Nations Security Council. Although the smooth implementation of the “chemical weapons for peace” plan put forward by Russia had avoided the implementation of the “red line” by the United States, it showed that Russia had in action acquiesced in the new norm of banning chemical weapons. From February 2017 to April 2018, Russia and other countries vetoed six draft resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council by the US, Britain, France and other countries related to the investigation of the new chemical attacks in Syria. However, despite the opposition of Russia and other countries, the United States, Britain and France insisted that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against civilians and launched two missile attacks against it. The attack carried out the new norm and further clarified the scale of “military strikes” in the new norm. With regard to the proposed new norm, China and Russia still insist that military strikes need to be authorized by the UN Security Council, and oppose the use of false evidence to abuse the new norm. The new international norm of chemical prohibitions proposed by the United States, Britain, France and other countries are essentially a new development of the theory of humanitarian intervention. The game between the great powers around the chemical weapons attacks in Syria embodies the international normative question of “which is more important, sovereignty or human rights”.

The sustainability of conventional development in Bangladesh is under threat from the continuous degradation of natural and artificial resources, and from declining yields due to indiscriminate use of agro-technological sector. An NGO is pursuing efforts to promote ecological development with emphasis on better use of on-profitable resources and the reduction of external inputs. This paper examines the sustainability of two production systems in terms of their environmental soundness, economic viability and social acceptability based on empirical data collected through a household survey, development sector analysis, observations and discussions with key informants. Several indicators were selected to evaluate sustainability. However, no significant variations were found in other indicators such as millennium development and sustainable development in Bangladesh, economic zone and stability, risk and uncertainties, and food security. Although economic zone and financial return were found to be slightly higher in the conventional system, the economic return and value addition per unit of land did not show any difference. The findings suggest that ecological environment has a tendency towards becoming ecologically, economically and socially more sound than conventional system of development, as it requires considerably less agro-based development, adds more economic prosperity to the society, provides balanced food, and requires higher local inputs without markedly compromising output and financial benefits. Broad-policy measures, including the creation of mass awareness of adverse health effects of agro-based products, are outlined for the promotion of ecological security.

The current COVID situation has brought some serious ethical dilemmas and challenges for employers who are acting in leadership roles. Different companies responded in different ways to contribute within their allowed capacity to stand strong against the economic and humanitarian crisis. This paper begins with exploring the changing role of CSR during COVID times and inferred that its focus is shifting towards the idea of conscious capitalism and stakeholder relationship management. With that, it reinforces the articulation of authentic CSR which is required for a sustainable business model after the crisis is over. Next, it emphasized the importance of CSR in the COVID times as it enables companies to secure high consumer and employee loyalty and trust levels which contributes somehow towards the economic growth of the company for a long-term basis. Then, it analyzed the role of ethical leadership in light of the COVID situation to see if it can add to the CSR effectiveness. It was argued that customer orientation encourages ethical leaders to not compromise their ethical standards while regarding the whole community-wide perspective. Finally, the value of having a strong responsible culture was discussed which can generate more impactful CSR outcomes.

The study established the effect of corporate governance on corporate performance of general insurance companies in Kenya. The specific objectives invloved to determine the effect of Board size, the effect of the CEO quality, the effect ownership concentration and the effect of audit committee independence on corporate performance of general insurance companies in Kenya. Primary and secondary data of the study was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The secondary data was obtained from the financial statements of the given general insurance companies. A census sample of 22 companies was done since it is a small population. The study used regression analysis technique to establish the specific objectives. The findings of the study reveals that board size, CEO duality, ownership concentation have no significant effect on corporate performance. Overall, corporate governance has a very weak correlation with corporate performance. However, board size has moderately strong correlation with corporate performance. CEO duality and audit committee have moderately weak correlation with corporate performance. Ownership concentration has weak correlation with corporate performance. Theoretically, this study contributes to the advancement of agency theory and stakeholders theory. Policies on corporate governance may be useful in specified organizations to make certain effective and efficient corporate performance. The study identifies the normal practice of the general insurance organizations through its findings.

This study aims to observe the importance of risk management as a subject with an evaluation of research through publications, published in prestigious journals. Scopus-Elsevier database provides data on file format with comma-separated value (CSV) of twenty-two years from 2002–2019 as regularly and four articles randomly with a maximum 11years gap and minimum three years. Total of 137 documents written by 363 authors in collaboration with an average of 16.5 authors. Seventy-two articles, followed by 13; 9% conference papers, 02 books, 05 book chapters, and 02 letters, show the status of risk management as an issue. Prominent subjects areas like; business, management, and accounting with 56; 40.8% publications, followed by computer science, economics, finance, civil and other fields of engineering sciences. The United States stands on a top slot with 15; 11% manuscripts, United Kingdome 12; 8.7%, and Germany 11; 8% in sequence. This study reveals that the term risk management is still awaiting its real admiration because this subject is an essential part of the safety of human health and wealth. Risk managers have always been full of beans for safe and sound of the best water for society.

Microcredit programs (MCP) in Bangladesh are implemented by various formal financial institutions (nationalized commercial banks and specialized banks), specialized government organizations and semi-formal financial institutions (nearly 700 NGO -MFIs). The growth in the MFI sector, in terms of the number of MFI as well as total membership, was phenomenal during the 1990s and continues till today. The total coverage of MCP in Bangladesh is approximately 13 million households. The coverage of major institutions in the formal and semi-formal sectors. There is debate, however, on the extent of overlap- one borrower taking loan from more than one microfinance institution. The general consensus is that a national average would be that 15% of all borrowers are borrowing from more than one MFI. In that case the effective coverage is about 11 million households. Out of 11 million households covered by MCP, about 80% are below poverty line and so about 8.8 million poor households are covered by MCP. With an estimated households of 26 million, out of which about 46% are poor households, the total number of poor households is approximately 11.96 million. Therefore, there is still scope of extending the coverage of microcredit programs to an approximate 3.16 million households. Bangladesh government has also placed adequate emphasis on microcredit programs. The Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP) of the government of Bangladesh has outlined some important roles for microcredit. The policy makers have recognized the importance of microcredit in Bangladesh and the present government has pledged its support to this program. Recognizing the importance of microcredit in poverty alleviation, the major challenge now, the UN has declared 2005 as the UN International Year of Microcredit. With combined efforts of the governments, MFIs, donor agencies and above all the peoples of the nations through a multipronged approach poverty will be removed from the face of the earth....