Regulatory Bodies Research Articles

Environmental and Social Disclosure of Brazilian Banking Financial Institutions from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determining factors that influence the disclosure of environmental and social information by the Brazilian banking sector from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of identifying which organizational characteristics impact the level of socio-environmental disclosure. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. The study is based on the Theory of Legitimacy, which provides theoretical elements for socio-environmental disclosure. This theory explains management’s motivation to disclose environmental information, recognizing that organizational survival depends not only on financial success but also on the ability to maintain a social contract with society. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a quantitative approach based on content analysis of sustainability reports from Brazilian banks. Data collection was carried out through the analysis of corporate disclosure reports published between 2016 and 2020. The regression model with panel data was used to analyze the influence of organizational characteristics on the dissemination of socio-environmental information from the perspective of the SDGs. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the size of the company and public control are factors that influence the disclosure of socio-environmental information regarding the SDGs. Whether or not the company owns shares on the Stock Exchange and its profitability have little impact on the amount of information disclosed about the SDGs. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized based on the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of socio-environmental disclosure. These implications could encompass the banking sector, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by deepening the knowledge about environmental disclosure in the banking sector, a topic still little explored in academic studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to inform better practices and policies for socio-environmental disclosure in the banking industry.

A review on the impact of the worldwide shortage of glucagon-like peptide-1 medications on control of diabetic patients

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) have shown promising benefits in improving outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly those affected by obesity-related complications such as cardiovascular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, and heightened cancer risks, posing significant public health challenges. Notably, GLP-1 RA have been recognized for their potential to achieve up to a 15% weight reduction over a span of two years, making them a preferred choice in specific conditions for diabetic patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 27. However, widespread public interest, particularly amplified through social media, has intensified the demand for GLP-1 RA due to their weight loss properties, thereby straining global supplies and fostering a black market among non-diabetic individuals seeking these effects. This heightened attention has prompted various medical regulatory bodies worldwide to enact strategies and policies aimed at alleviating shortages. Measures include minimizing new prescriptions of GLP-1 RA, exploring alternative medications within the GLP-1 RA category, carefully transitioning patients to other anti-diabetic treatments and managing patient expectations. These efforts appear effective in managing overall outcomes amid ongoing supply challenges. This narrative review provides a focused evaluation of how these GLP-1 RA medication shortages have impacted type 2 diabetic patients around the world and their overall diabetic outcomes.

STREAMLINING REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION: EXPLORING THE COMMON TECHNICAL DOCUMENT (CTD) AND ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION, WITH EMPHASIS ON M SERIES ACCORDING TO ICH GUIDELINES

A number of regulatory bodies have worked together to create the Common Technical Document (CTD), including the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and the Japanese Ministry of Health. This standardized format facilitates the collection and submission of regulatory documentation pertaining to applications for new medicines. Since its inception in 2000, the CTD has been widely adopted internationally, including by nations such as Canada, Australia, and India. The CTD aims to streamline the submission process, reduce duplication of effort, and facilitate regulatory evaluations by providing a uniform structure for technical documentation. This article outlines the guidelines and organization of the CTD, including its modules covering administrative information, quality, non-clinical studies, and clinical trials. The CTD’s significance lies in its ability to improve regulatory efficiency, promote data transparency, and expedite the availability of new medicines to patients. However, challenges persist, such as variations in regional requirements and the need for continued adaptation to evolving technological standards. Electronic submissions and improved information management are two ways in which the new electronic CTD (eCTD) has improved submission procedures. Despite some ongoing issues, the CTD and eCTD represent significant advancements in regulatory documentation, with the potential for further innovation and global adoption in the future.

BCT Crowdfunding: Is It the Bridge of Trust Required for Funding EU’s SMEs?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the cornerstone of the European eDaconomy, representing 99.8% of all businesses and providing 66% of employment. Despite their critical role, SMEs face significant challenges in accessing traditional financing, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, which led to a reduction in riskier lending by banks. Crowdfunding has emerged as a viable alternative, offering a decentralized and democratized avenue for raising capital, especially through platforms powered by blockchain technology.This paper explores the potential of blockchain technology (BCT) to revolutionize crowdfunding within the European Union (EU), addressing the critical financial needs of SMEs. BCT enhances transparency, trust, and efficiency in crowdfunding by enabling features such as tokenization, smart contracts, and decentralization. These innovations offer solutions to longstanding issues in traditional finance, such as fraud, information asymmetry, and the reliance on intermediaries.However, the paper also highlights the limitations and challenges of crowdfunding in Europe, particularly the disparities in crowdfunding trends between the UK, Nordic countries, and the rest of the EU. Financial data from 2018 and projections for 2023 reveal that while the number of crowdfunding campaigns in the EU is growing, the per-campaign value remains significantly lower compared to the UK, reflecting a continued focus on smaller-scale investments.The integration of BCT into crowdfunding practices presents both opportunities and obstacles. Although it offers a promising path to more efficient and secure funding mechanisms, the successful implementation of BCT will require coordinated efforts from governments, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and technology developers to navigate the complex legal and technological landscape.In conclusion, while blockchain-based crowdfunding has the potential to reshape SME financing in Europe, realizing its full benefits will demand proactive engagement with emerging challenges and continuous adaptation to evolving regulatory frameworks.

Debt trap dynamics: The moderating role of convenience, financial literacy, and religiosity in credit card usage

In the modern age, the card payment business has flourished in Pakistan. Many multinational and national commercial banks have not only introduced debit cards but also many types of credit cards with distinct payment plans, and they are broadly used as financial instruments in consumer financing. The purpose of this research is to identify the distinctive components that cause credit card debt and how Pakistanis are snared into a debt trap by using credit cards. For this purpose, the study examines the effects of credit card usage (CCU), materialism (M), installment plan (IP), convenience (CONV), religiosity (R), and financial literacy (FL) on a dependent variable, debt trap (DT). Furthermore, the moderation impacts of R, FL, and CONV are tested too. The quantitative research approach and cross-sectional research design were applied. The data was collected from 297 credit card users by using a convenience sampling technique that shows a 79.2 % response rate. The Partial Least Square (PLS)-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was employed for data analysis. The Partial Least Square (PLS)-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) direct effect has shown that CCU, M, IP, CONV, and R have a significant relationship with DT while FL has an insignificant relationship with the DP. In other words, the indirect effect has shown that FL is not significantly moderate in the relationship between R and DT. Likely, CONV does not significantly moderate the relationship between CCU and DP, however; other indirect effects show a significant moderated relationship of all other independent and dependent variables. Most of the moderating effects are supported, therefore the moderating effects are significant contributions. The study findings could help banks and regulatory bodies in launching these types of credit cards which are under shariah complaints about captivating the users to use the credit card without any fear. This research is a pioneer study in the context of the Pakistan banking sector along with three moderators, religiosity, financial literacy, and convenience. Based on the findings of this research, policymakers and financial institutions in Pakistan should consider introducing Shariah-compliant credit cards that align with users' religious beliefs, while promoting financial literacy programs to better educate consumers on responsible credit card usage and debt management, thus preventing them from falling into debt traps.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trading in the Stock Market: A Legal Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global stock markets, leading to unprecedented volatility and legal challenges. This study explores how the pandemic altered trading behavior and examines the associated legal ramifications. In March 2020, stock markets experienced a sharp decline, prompting the U.S. Federal Reserve and other regulatory bodies to intervene. While markets rebounded, volatility persisted, introducing heightened risks for investors. Non- professional investors became more active, complicating regulatory oversight. From a legal perspective, the pandemic raised concerns about stock price manipulation, insider trading, and market abuse. Regulators, like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), responded by implementing temporary measures to maintain market integrity. These legal frameworks, designed for traditional crises, struggled to address the unique challenges posed by COVID-19. Furthermore, the pandemic revealed gaps in existing laws, prompting calls for updated regulations to manage market disruptions during non-financial crises. The study underscores the need for ongoing legal adaptation to safeguard markets and prevent exploitation during global emergencies. As the pandemic evolved, so did the legal landscape, with cases emerging that highlighted both opportunistic trading and regulatory inadequacies. This research contributes to understanding the intersection of market volatility and legal frameworks in times of crisis.

Streamlining Clinical Trial Data from Raw to Regulatory Submission with R Shiny and Pharmaverse

In recent years, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have increasingly adopted open-source tools to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and reproducibility of clinical trial data analysis. R Shiny, a web application framework for R, has become a key component in creating interactive dashboards and visualizations that support real-time data exploration and decision-making. As part of the Pharmaverse ecosystem, R Shiny plays a vital role in regulatory submissions, data analysis, and reporting, offering dynamic, user-friendly interfaces for clinical trial monitoring, patient safety reporting, and efficacy analysis. This abstract explores the application of R Shiny within the Pharmaverse, emphasizing its seamless integration with tools such as Tplyr and admiral for generating CDISC-compliant SDTM and ADaM datasets. Metadata management and validation are facilitated through OAK, ensuring consistency and traceability. The automated creation of Define.xml using tools like defineR further enhances transparency and regulatory compliance. Through case studies and practical examples, this abstract highlights how R Shiny and related tools improve data transparency, accelerate decision-making, and support regulatory compliance in clinical trials. By leveraging these open-source technologies, clinical trial teams can streamline data workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve outcomes, ultimately driving innovation within the pharmaceutical industry. The integration of these tools into a cohesive framework significantly enhances the submission process to regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA, ensuring that clinical data meets both industry and regulatory standards.

Active Ingredient Prescribing in Australia: exploring pharmacists' experiences

AbstractBackgroundThe Active Ingredient Prescribing (AIP) mandate was introduced Australia‐wide on 1 February 2021. The AIP legislation makes the pharmacist a stakeholder who can provide valuable information to customers and patients.AimTo explore the experiences of community pharmacists with AIP legislation with a focus on attitude, health literacy, and medication safety.MethodSemi‐structured, in‐depth interviews were conducted and guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Transcripts were analysed using a deductive approach to categorise data and inductive thematic analysis to identify concepts and themes. Ethical approval was granted by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference no: 2021/878) and the study conforms to the Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Informed consent from all participants was obtained via a study information sheet distributed to all potential participants and completion of written consent forms prior to participation in the study. Participants received gift cards as compensation for their time.ResultsSix pharmacists participated, and thematic analysis of collected data revealed three main themes. These included education, integration, and trust. Insights on patients' acceptance of their prescriptions and the expanded patient‐facing opportunities were highlighted. Participants' opinions leaned towards enhancing the smooth integration into the AIP process of other stakeholders like prescribers and regulatory bodies. Establishing multilevel communication between stakeholders and customers was pivotal to improving health literacy and medication safety. Pharmacists' views on process integration provided unique insight into the practical challenges with the AIP mandate. In addition, ‘trust’ in the prescriber enhanced patient acceptance of generic medicines.ConclusionThe study provided baseline evidence to show that the AIP mandate enhances health literacy and empowers patients to know the active ingredients in their medicines, which in turn supports medication safety. Examining the implementation of the AIP legislation facilitated a nuanced understanding of the effect that these AIP changes have on patients.

Türkiye-Alliance of Sahel States Relations: A Preliminary Appraisal

This article documents a preliminary appraisal of Türkiye’s relations with the newly formed Alliance of the Sahel States (AES), within the confines of security engagements, economic entanglements, and humanitarian/cultural interactions. To achieve this, the study investigates how the Heartland Theory and the smart power paradigm could assist in exploring Türkiye’s relations with the Alliance. Analyzing official documents and secondary data, the paper takes the view that defense and security engagements have taken center stage of the relations, relegating economic and humanitarian issues to the periphery. This shift positions Türkiye to play a very influential role in Sahelian affairs, particularly in their defense and security. Considering the stiff competition from key non-Western countries with vested interest in the region, especially China and Russia, Türkiye must carefully navigate its relations with regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and these other external actors to promote regional stability and cooperation. Amidst the growing discontent expressed by the Alliance towards the Western countries, Ankara is compelled to exert its influential role in a manner different from its predecessors.

Türkiye Multilateral Relationship: The Case of East Africa, IGAD, and EAC

The 21st century geopolitical landscape has experienced a significant shift towards multidimensional cooperation and partnerships that transcend traditional borders. Türkiye, with its unique geographic position bridging Europe and Asia, has emerged as a prominent player in fostering diplomatic and economic relationships across continents. In recent years, Türkiye has particularly focused on East Africa, as well as its associations with regional bodies such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC). This commentary examines the opportunities and challenges that characterize Türkiye’s interactions with these regions, evaluating the potential benefits and areas of friction in advancing these partnerships.

Spontaneous Formation of Evolutionary Game Strategies for Long-Term Carbon Emission Reduction Based on Low-Carbon Trading Mechanism

In the context of increasing global efforts to mitigate climate change, effective carbon emission reduction is a pressing issue. Governments and power companies are key stakeholders in implementing low-carbon strategies, but their interactions require careful management to ensure optimal outcomes for both economic development and environmental protection. This paper addresses this real-world challenge by utilizing evolutionary game theory (EGT) to model the strategic interactions between these stakeholders under a low-carbon trading mechanism. Unlike classical game theory, which assumes complete rationality and perfect information, EGT allows for bounded rationality and learning over time, making it particularly suitable for modeling long-term interactions in complex systems like carbon markets. This study builds an evolutionary game model between the government and power companies to explore how different strategies in carbon emission reduction evolve over time. Using payoff matrices and replicator dynamics equations, we determine the evolutionarily stable equilibrium (ESE) points and analyze their stability through dynamic simulations. The findings show that in the absence of a third-party regulator, neither party achieves an ideal ESE. To address this, a third-party regulatory body is introduced into the model, leading to the formulation of a tripartite evolutionary game. The results highlight the importance of regulatory oversight in achieving stable and optimal low-carbon strategies. This paper offers practical policy recommendations based on the simulation outcomes, providing a robust theoretical framework for government intervention in carbon markets and guiding enterprises towards sustainable practices.

Türkiye’s Foreign Relations with Regional Blocs in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of AU and ECOWAS

Strong foreign relations among nations are crucial for fostering global stability, economic growth, and cross-cultural understanding. A stable global system that resolves conflicts through dialogue rather than confrontation benefits from positive foreign relations. This paper examines Türkiye’s changing foreign policy approach towards Sub-Saharan African regional blocs, with an emphasis on their political, cultural, and economic facets. Türkiye’s strategic involvement with influential regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others, reflects its broader objective to expand its influence and cultivate multifaceted partnerships across the African continent. The scope of this paper is limited to the AU and ECOWAS. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper evaluates Türkiye’s economic initiatives, including trade agreements and investment flows, as well as its contributions to infrastructure development. The findings established Türkiye’s peacekeeping roles, cultural diplomacy, diplomatic efforts, and educational exchanges. Through the investigation of these diverse aspects, the conclusion outlines a comprehensive understanding of Türkiye’s place in geopolitical dynamics and regional integration in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Flumequine, a fluoroquinolone in disguise

Fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli isolates from livestock in Europe remains high despite EMA restrictions on fluoroquinolone use in animals. However, flumequine, a quinolone not classified as a fluoroquinolone by various regulatory bodies, is still used in livestock in the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and France. We investigated whether flumequine selects for the same resistance mechanisms in E. coli. Resistant and non-resistant E. coli isolates were obtained from caecal fermentation assays and broilers exposed to concentrations of flumequine and enrofloxacin. Flumequine usage leads to an approximately 3-fold increase in resistant E. coli in the caecal fermentation, similar to enrofloxacin. In vitro exposure to both flumequine and enrofloxacin revealed the same amino acid substitutions (S83L, D87G) in GyrA. Additionally, the same resistance-causing substitutions were found in phenotypically resistant E. coli isolates from broilers treated with either enrofloxacin or flumequine. Flumequine induces similar resistance mechanisms as enrofloxacin, warranting equivalent restrictions on its use.

Toxic-Free Environment: Forever Chemicals Removal from Water and Wastewater

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," are persistent synthetic compounds that have been widely utilized since the mid-20th century across various industries. Due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks, PFAS has become a significant concern, particularly in relation to water and wastewater contamination. This paper investigates the complex challenges associated with PFAS, focusing on existing regulatory frameworks, treatment strategies, and innovative clean technologies that aim to reduce or eliminate these harmful substances. The study emphasizes the importance of advanced treatment methods such as electrochemical degradation, nanofiltration, adsorption, and biodegradation, each offering varying degrees of success. Despite advancements in treatment technologies, prevention remains the most effective strategy to minimize PFAS pollution. The paper calls for collaborative efforts from regulatory bodies, industries, and communities to implement more sustainable practices, ensuring a toxic-free environment and aligning with circular economy principles. Continuous research and international cooperation are crucial for developing effective long-term solutions to address PFAS contamination and safeguard both public health and the environment.

STATUS OF INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

The nineteenth and twentieth century determined a special connection and interdependence between political and economic branches , which set the right platform for presentation of the bodies or regulatory authorities. Macedonia was not overlooked by this connected determinism and interdependent. The formation of regulatory bodies by the Assembly in more diverse sectors in Macedonia began in 2002. The regulatory bodies have the status of legal entity by registration in court and their work is public. The role of the market, politics / government and civil society as a regulator with economic and political mechanisms that operate in democratic societies with market economies is, in fact, an appropriate balance of their roles as regulators of public affairs.

A-158 Multi-site verification and performance of body fluids in-between Horiba Medical Yumizen h2500 with Sysmex XN-10 automated hematology analyzers and manual microscopy for morphology assessment

Abstract Background The analysis of body fluids plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of a wide variety of conditions. As standards for method validation and laboratory developed tests evolve, the body fluids analysis is receiving increased attention from both laboratories and regulatory bodies. We present the evaluated result of the validation and clinical performance accuracy of HORIBA Medical Yumizen H2500 analyzers as compared to SYSMEX XN-10 analyzers and to manual slide microscopy examination as a reference method for differential analysis for body fluids samples. Methods Depending on each laboratory collected procedures, synovial samples were collected with Sodium Heparin or K2EDTA or without anticoagulant and the other samples were collected with K2EDTA or without anticoagulant. As recommended, most (94%) of the synovial fluids were treated with the hyaluronidase. For the comparison of Yumizen H2500 versus XN-10 analyzers, the study was performed in 2 US sites and 1 French site collecting 390 samples totally: 138 serous fluids (Ascites, Pleural, Peritoneal, Pericardial), 169 synovial fluids and 83 CSF fluids. Samples were analyzed as soon as possible after collection (with a limit of 24 hours for serous and synovial fluids and 4 hours for CSF) and within 2 hours between both instruments. For the comparison of Yumizen H2500 versus reference method (manual microscopy), the study was performed in 2 US sites collecting 58 samples: 34 serous fluids (Ascites, Pleural, Peritoneal, Pericardial), 12 synovial fluids and 12 CSF fluids. Two qualified morphology examiners made the manual microscopy analysis and the average of the results of the 2 slide readings was used for the analysis. Results Considering all types of body fluids, the H2500/XN results are very well correlated for BFWBC (0.969), BFRBC (0.999), BFMN% (0.912), BFMN# (0.89), BFPN% (0.912), BFPN# (0.97). Similarly, the statistical analysis per body fluids type shows very good correlation. For serous type, all results are higher than 0.876, for synovial type all results are higher than 0.879 and for cerebrospinal fluids type, all results are higher than 0.788. Among all samples, less than 8 samples (<2%) were out of the 95% interval. The comparison Yumizen H2500 versus manual microscopy, all the correlation results (r²) are very good: 0,9705 for Polynuclear and 0,9742 for Mononuclear. The study demonstrated better results of Yumizen H2500 versus manual microscopy than versus XN-10 for BFPN% (0.9705 versus 0.912) and BFMN% (0.9742 versus 0.912). Among 58 samples, only 4 (6.9%) were out of the 95% interval for BFPN% and BFMN%. Conclusions The Yumizen H2500 results for body fluid WBC differentiation (Polynuclear and Mononuclear) are very well correlated with the results from manual slide microscopy evaluation. The comparison of the results analyzed on Yumizen H2500 and on XN does not show any significant difference.

Legal Regulating Electronic Employment Contracts as a Modern Factor of Integration at International Regional Bodies (Exemplified by EEU, CIS and BRICS States Legislation)

Legal Regulating Electronic Employment Contracts as a Modern Factor of Integration at International Regional Bodies (Exemplified by EEU, CIS and BRICS States Legislation)

Advancing Financial Resilience: A Systematic Review of Default Prediction Models and Future Directions in Credit Risk Management

This research presents a systematic review of a substantial body of high-quality research articles on Default Prediction Models published from 2015 to 2024. It is a comprehensive analysis of a DPM wide spectrum approaches including Textual Models, Systematic Review Studies, Hybrid Models, Intelligent Models and Statistical Models. The reason behind this study is rooted in the critical need to mitigate and understand the credit default risk that poses a significant threat to financial stability worldwide. By employing an evidence-based approach and methodological rigorously, this research critically evaluates the gaps, effectiveness and evolution in existing DPM methodologies. It is not only synthesized the current landscape of DPM study but also identified the direction for the future research, by offering novel insights and bridging theoretical gaps for enhancing the strategies of credit risk management. This study stands out by focusing on high citation research from top tier publishers, ensuring the quality and relevance of its analysis. The findings of this study have profound implications for stakeholders across the financial sector, including bankers, investors, regulatory bodies, and researchers. It aims to advance financial stability by providing a comprehensive overview of DPM advancements and pointing towards areas that require further exploration. By doing so, it contributes significantly to the development of more effective and sophisticated DPM strategies, thereby enhancing the robustness of financial institutions against potential defaults.

CEO power and corporate tax avoidance in emerging economies: does ownership structure matter?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study how CEO power impact corporate tax avoidance. In particular, this paper aims to empirically examine the moderating impact of institutional ownership on the relationship between CEO power and corporate tax avoidance.Design/methodology/approachThe multivariate regression model is used for hypothesis testing using a sample of 308 firm-year observations of Tunisian listed companies during the 2013-2019 period.FindingsThe results show that CEO power is negatively associated with corporate tax avoidance and that institutional ownership significantly accentuates the CEO power’s effect on corporate tax avoidance. This implies that CEOs, when monitored by institutional investors, behave less opportunistically resulting in less tax avoidance.Practical implicationsOur findings have significant implications for managers, legislators, tax authorities and shareholders. They showed that CEO duality, tenure and ownership can mitigate the corporate tax avoidance in Tunisian companies. These findings can, hence, guide the development of future regulations and policies. Moreover, our results provide evidence that owning of shares by institutional investors is beneficial for reducing corporate tax avoidance. Thus, policymakers and regulatory bodies should consider adding regulations to the structure of corporate ownership to promote institutional ownership and consequently control corporate tax avoidance in Tunisian companies.Originality/valueThis study differs from prior studies in several ways. First, it addressed the emerging market, namely the Tunisian one. Knowing the notable differences in institutional setting and corporate governance structure between developed and emerging markets, this study will shed additional light in this area. Second, it proposes the establishment of a moderated relationship between CEO power and corporate tax avoidance around institutional ownership. Unlike prior studies that only examined the simple relationship between CEO power and corporate tax avoidance, this study went further to investigate how institutional ownership potentially moderates this relationship.

How Readable Is the Information the United Kingdom's Statutory Health and Social Care Professional Regulators Provide for the Public to Engage With Fitness to Practise Processes?

The public are an important source of notifications and evidence for the investigation of concerns by regulators of professionals. The website is an important source of information for the public, but the complexity of information presented to engage with the public is unknown. This study explored the readability of information provided for the public to engage with fitness to practise processes by examining the websites of the 13 UK statutory health and social care professional regulators. Six readability algorithms were utilised to calculate the readability scores of 180 general and 8 easy-read documents published for the 15 sites of the United Kingdom's 13 health and social care statutory professional regulatory bodies. These tests were the Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease, the Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Fog Score, the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Index, the Coleman Liau Index and the Automated Readability Index (ARI). All the fitness to practise documents analysed in this study are written at a level too difficult for most of the general population to read, except one easy-read document. There was also considerable variation in readability across resources for the same regulator, which could be confusing. Regulatory bodies risk excluding a large proportion of UK adults who may want to engage with professional regulatory proceedings. This is the first comparative analysis of readability conducted independent of the regulators of the fitness to practise website documents of health and social care regulators. The public are a key source of evidence in regulatory proceedings. Regulators could improve public engagement by addressing the complexity of language used. Our advisory group of people with lived experience of involvement as members of the public in fitness to practise proceedings discussed the findings and contributed to the recommendations.