UW Journal of Management Sciences

Financial Literacy and Gender Dynamics in Shaping Inclusive Finance

2025-12-27T09:58:20+00:00

Purpose: The growing concern on financial inclusion around the world, highlighted the focus on financial literacy. The objective of the study is to the understand the difference between the financial knowledge amongst man and woman to examine how this difference impact the use and access of financial services ultimately contributed towards the financial inclusion. This study is to serves the United Nation Sustainable Goals (SDGs) mainly SDG-1, SDG-5, SDG-8, SDG-10 and SDG-17.

Design and Methodology: The study utilizes the quantitative approach with secondary data from sources such as, World bank, Findex survey, UNESCO. Panel data is used to analyze the influence by employing different panel regression techniques such as fixed-random effect model along with other measure of multicollinearity and correlation analysis.

Findings: The results show significant negative relationship between gender gap in financial literacy and financial inclusion. This shows that women have low level of financial literacy as compared to the men makes it difficult for women to participate in financial system and negatively influenced their financial inclusion. Our finding highlights the importance to increase financial literacy among women to enable them effectively use financial services and to take part in financial decision making for betterment of economic empowerment.

Implications: The study finding offers meaningful insights for education sector, financial institution, policy maker and government to develop different kinds of programs to enhance the financial knowledge in women in order to reduce the gender differences. These will also help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging the gender equality, reducing inequality and encourage economic growth.

Originality/Value: The study examines the relationship between financial literacy and financial inclusion in context of emerging/ developing countries.

Information Shocks and Investor Behaviour: A Market Model Event Study of Performance Forecasts in China’s Telecom Industry

2026-01-02T06:25:32+00:00

Purpose: This paper analyzes the market response to annual performance projections announcements at the initial listing of A-share telecom companies in China between 2023 and mid-2025.

Design and Methodology: A quantitative approach is employed, which is based on an event-study design. Abnormal returns and accumulation abnormal returns are computed in and around announcement dates, and are focused on the. [-1, +1] event windows.

Findings: These findings indicate a high level of asymmetric market response. The abnormal returns caused by bad news are larger and more persistent compared to those caused by good news. The abnormal accumulated bad news returns are approximately -3.4% in the [-1, +1] window. It is increased in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty in early 2024. Evidence indicated that there is anticipatory pessimism in that investors expect to receive bad news at least partially in advance of announcements.

Implications: The results outline the contribution of the behavioural aspects to the equity market of china. These findings can help policymakers and investors to learn more about how investors behave in the new financial markets and how they respond to the market.

Effect Of Earning Managements On Firm Performance And Moderating Role Of Gender Diversity: Evidence From Bric

2025-12-27T09:58:37+00:00

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how earnings management and gender diversity affect the firm performance of companies listed in BRIC. Additionally, it examines how board gender diversity moderates the association between accrual earnings management and firm performance.

Design and Methodology: The sample data were collected from 712 non-financial companies from the BRIC nations from 2017 to 2022. To investigate how firm performance is affected by earnings management, we have used the Generalized Method of Momemnt(GMM) regression technique because this technique is best suited to address the endogeneity problem in the data.

Findings: The result shows a significantly positive effect of earnings management on return on assets and a non-significant negative effect on Tobin's Q. A significant factor in forming this relationship is the gender diversity of the board. Gender-diverse boards in private companies provide greater governance and stronger supervision by lessening the effect of AEM on ROA and TQ. Gender diversity, on the other hand, boosts the beneficial impact of AEM on TQ in state-owned businesses, which could be a result of political influence or symbolic governance. Overall, the study shows that strong governance practices work better in private companies than in state-owned enterprises and that the success of board diversity is dependent on the ownership structure. According to this research, putting more women on corporate boards, particularly in private companies, can enhance financial openness and lessen earnings manipulation. In the BRIC nations, gender-diverse boards are mostly symbolic in state-owned businesses but play a significant governance role in private companies.

Implications: The findings provided useful insight for policymakers that, in order to improve corporate governance, deter unethical financial activities, and promote sustainable growth in emerging economies, specific gender diversity policies are required. This study adds to the limited body of research on firm performance in varied ownership environments, earnings management, and gender diversity.

Mapping the Evolution of Sharing Economy Research: A SPAR-4-SLR Systematic Review of Theories, Contexts, and Methodologies.

2025-12-27T09:58:12+00:00

Purpose: This study aims to provide an inclusive review of recent literature on the sharing economy over the past eight years. The study focuses on interactions among constructs from a consumer behavior perspective, drawing on relevant theories, contexts, and methods.

Design and Methodology: A framework-based analysis of 20 articles identified the most relevant theories, contexts, and methods (TCM) in the sharing economy. The advanced SPAR-4-SLR method was implemented to ensure the inclusion of recent and relevant literature.

Findings: The findings show that sharing economy research is primarily guided by behavioral and technology-oriented theories, such as TPB, TAM, and SDT, and is broadly examined within Western, technologically advanced contexts using quantitative models such as SEM. It also underscores the lack of cultural diversity and qualitative depth, calling for broader, context-sensitive theoretical and methodological frameworks.

Implications: The study offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners, outlining directions for future research and strategies. By emphasizing theoretical gaps and methodological limitations, it contributes to advancing academic understanding and supports practical decision-making in the sharing economy.

Dividends and Investment Decisions: A Case of Pakistan

2025-12-27T09:58:45+00:00

Purpose: Investment and dividend decisions are not dependent on one another in an efficient market. The presumptions of efficient markets do not apply to emerging markets. Due to financial constraints, businesses must decide between dividend payments and investments. There has been much discussion in the finance literature over the relationship's dependency and irrelevance. Thus, this study examines how corporate governance and credit rating affect a company's decisions about dividends and investments.

Design and Methodology: The sample size included 434 observations from all non-financial PSX-listed firms from 2013 to 2019. Panel regressions are used to examine the data using econometric tools.

Findings: The findings show that there is a trade-off between investment and dividend decisions, credit rating, and corporate governance. Due to cash constraints, businesses in developing economies like Pakistan must decide between dividends and investments.

Implications: Overall, the study points out that using credit ratings and appropriate governance helps firms improve their reputation, earn trust from investors, and stay attractive for those interested in long-term investments.

Barriers to Women's Upward Career Development: An Analysis of the Civil secretariat, Peshawar

2025-12-27T09:58:28+00:00

Purpose: The focus of this research to understand how gender stereotypes and work life balance affect their opportunities for professional growth of females working in civil secretariat Peshawar.

Methodology: Data was collected through survey from female employees throughout five distinct government organizations. Barriers of upward career mobility was measured using the Indra and Tanusia (2013), 10 item scale which assess career advancement, organization policies and limitation managerial position. As for work life balance, it is measured using 8 items of the version of Kow et al. (2012). On the other hand, 06 item scale created by Mukulu (2012) were used to assess gender stereotypes. The 63 female public servants in Peshawar Civil secretariat were participated in this study.

Finding & Results: The results indicate that work–life balance and gender stereotypes significantly influence women’s upward career development. The model explains 60% of the variance, showing that these barriers are strong predictors of limited career progression among female employees. However, gender stereotypes emerged as the strongest predictor of career barriers, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by women in attaining leadership positions.

Conclusion/ Limitations & Future Research: The results suggest that promoting work life balance through flexible work arrangements, encouraging continuous education, and addressing gender biases in promotion processes could enhance female career advancement. Despite the valuable insights gained, the study acknowledges limitations such as its focus on the public sector, potential response bias, and the need for further research incorporating diverse socio-economic and cultural factors. Future research should explore comparative studies across different industries and evaluate the effectiveness of HR diversity programs in mitigating gender-based career advancement barriers.