Did the intensity of countries' digital transformation affect IT companies' performance during covid-19?

This study explores the impact of the intensity of countries' digital transformation on the performance of 3961 global companies in the Information Technology sector in 2020. We analyse the impact of e-government index, e-participation index, and cybersecurity commitment on firms' performance (enterprise value, book value per share, and cash flow from operation per share) using OLS regression. A structural equation modelling was further employed to explain the mediating role of cybersecurity commitment. Results suggest that e-government has a positive linkage with cybersecurity commitment and performance. However, there is preliminary evidence that cybersecurity measures initiated by e-government will drive performance. The e-participation index has a positive association with cybersecurity commitment and a heterogeneous impact on performance, suggesting the need to differentiate between development and participation. Finally, results highlight the pivotal role of e-government and cybersecurity commitment in boosting the profitability of companies and supporting the influence of the surrounding technological environment on companies' performance.

Modelling COVID-19 effect on the performance of MENA Health-care sector

Purpose This study models the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the private health-care sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. This paper aims to address the economic, societal and sustainability of the health-care sector. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from Bloomberg and the sample consists of 534 firm-year observations from 55 firms listed over 2010-2020. The authors apply panel data and control for the country and governance effects. Findings The authors found heterogeneous results regarding the three sub-sectors. The pandemic has a negative effect on the accounting and market performances of the "Pharmaceutical companies" and an insignificant impact on "Healthcare Management and Facilities Services." Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on health-care firms' performance depends on the country's economic classification and the degree of regulatory and governance frameworks. Research limitations/implications Further studies may consider a larger sample and other regions. It is recommended to address the health-care sector's challenges to invest in new technologies such as "digital twin" and predictive and personalized medicine. It is worth testing model development theory and its effects on speeding up and designing models to ensure the proper functioning and developing mathematics to determine uncertainties in patient data and model predictions. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is novel as it is unique in modeling the impact of COVID-19 on the health-care public companies in the MENA region. The findings pinpoint firms' and countries' heterogeneous impacts on financial and market performances.

Risk management and bank performance: evidence from the MENA region

Purpose: The credit crunch of 2008 and recent COVID-19 influences underscored the importance of liquidity and credit risk management in businesses and financial institutions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of liquidity risk and credit risk management on accounting and market performances of banks operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a panel data regression analysis on a sample of 51 listed commercial banks operating in 10 MENA countries during the period 2010–2018. Findings: The results show that credit risk management does not affect the accounting performance of banks, while it has a non-linear, convex relationship with market performance. Surprisingly, liquidity risk management is not a significant driver for either performance measure in studied banks. However, when a bank combines credit risk management with liquidity risk management efforts, liquidity risk management actions return significant results on both performances, illustrated by an inverted U-shaped relationship. In addition, this study examines the joint impact of both risks on bank performance. This study reveals that accounting and market performances are differently affected by joint risk management efforts. Their impact depends on the combination of risk management ratios upon which banks choose to focus their efforts. Practical implications: The findings help bankers and regulators further consider non-linearities and offer them new tools for managing the impact of credit and liquidity risk interactions towards achieving more financial stability. Originality/value: These results contribute to traditional banking in offering bankers and regulators new tools for managing the impact of credit and liquidity risk interactions on bank performance. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Impact of COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place orders on pediatric device use, outdoor activity and eye symptoms

Purpose : The COVID-19 pandemic caused the implementation of public health measures globally, including a call to Shelter-In-Place (SIP). In most cases, traditional classroom teaching became remote, pediatric outdoor programs such as organized sports were halted and parks closed. This study primarily aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 SIP orders on pediatric habitual device use, outdoor activity, and reported eye symptoms. Methods : Eligible participants included English and Spanish speaking UCSF pediatric ophthalmology patients aged 5-10 years with no history of ocular disease, surgery or trauma. A parental survey was administered electronically or over the phone by a trained examiner. The survey included questions regarding their child's average daily device use, outdoor activity and how often their child typically reported eye symptoms before and during SIP. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests to examine changes in behaviors before and during SIP. Results : 42 participants (n=17 female, mean age 6.6 ± 1.3 years) were enrolled in the study. 98% (n = 41) of those surveyed reported that their child was in remote online learning during SIP, with the majority (56%) using a laptop as their main device for remote learning. On average, laptop and hand-held device (smartphone or tablet) use increased significantly during SIP for both weekdays and weekends (Laptops: ~3 hour increase weekdays and 1 hour increase weekends, p <0.001;Hand-held devices: ~1 hour increase weekdays and weekends p <0.002). Outdoor activity decreased on average by approximately 1 hour on both weekdays and weekends (p <0.008). Despite the increase in device use, there was only a slight increase in 'eyes feeling uncomfortable or tired' (from never to occasionally, on average). None of the other eye symptoms surveyed (seeing words moving, jumping, swimming, or floating;headache;dry eyes;blurry vision) were reported to change during SIP. Conclusions : This study provides insights into how COVID-19 SIP orders impact habitual pediatric device use and outdoor activity. Despite children spending significantly increased time on devices during SIP, there was a low prevalence of reported eye symptoms in our cohort. Further work is warranted to determine the potential longer term impacts of these behavior modifications on pediatric eye health.