Board Characteristics and Timeliness of Financial Reporting during COVID-19 Pandemic? Evidence from Egypt | ||
| المجلة الأكاديمية للعلوم الإجتماعية | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 25 August 2025 | ||
| Document Type: بحوث ميدانية | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ajss.2025.406646.1083 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mai Alm El-Din* ; Menna Gamal | ||
| School of Business, Canadian International College, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This paper investigates the effects of board of directors’ characteristics on financial reporting timeliness. It specifically examines how board meetings, independence, and size affect the timeliness of financial reporting. We use a sample of Egyptian firms listed in the EGX 100 from 2015 to 2021, with 483 firm / year observations. – The results indicate a significant positive relationship between board of directors’ meetings and the proxy of financial reporting timeliness. This suggests that Egyptian firms with more board of directors’ meetings are likely to have higher financial reporting lag. Likewise, there is a negative relationship between board independence and the proxy of financial reporting timeliness. In addition, the results show that there is a positive effect of COVID-19 on the financial reporting lag. This study highlights the need for policymakers and regulatory bodies in Egypt to implement and enforce stricter regulations aimed at reducing delays in financial reporting. Additionally, it encourages firms to enhance board governance practices, particularly in scheduling meetings and strengthening board independence, to improve reporting timeliness. Investors are advised to critically evaluate the timeliness of financial reports as delayed disclosures may indicate potential information manipulation, especially under crisis conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper extends the literature on Egypt; which examined the effect of board characteristics on financial reporting timeliness during COVID-19. Agency theory suggests that effective governance improves oversight and information flow, this study provides empirical evidence to support this in emerging market countries like Egypt, especially during times of crisis when transparency is more important. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Board Characteristics; Financial Reporting Timeliness; COVID-19; Egypt | ||
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