Mohamed Saad

This study aimed at analyzing the effect of sales promotion and advertising expenses on sales performance, considering firm size as a likely moderating variable.
This research conducted regression analyses on 474 Jordanian companies based on the firm’s advertising expenditure, gross margin, firm size, and sales performance. It tested two models: first, direct impact of advertising expenses on sales performance, and, second, firm size affecting the relationship between advertising expenses and sales performance.
The findings show that advertising and sales promotion expenses do not have a significant effect on sales performance. Besides, firm size did not moderate this relationship, as referred by a non-significant t-value of –1.459 and a p-value of 0.145. The models explained only 4.1% and 0.5% of the variance in sales performance, respectively, suggesting that other factors play a more significant role.
These results suggest that Jordanian firms have to reevaluate their advertising strategies and consider alternative approaches to enhance sales. The research contributes to more understanding of the limited role of advertising in sales performance within the Jordanian market.

Acknowledgement
This research was funded through the annual funding track by the Deanship of Scientific Research, from the vice presidency for graduate studies and scientific research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant no. KFU242402].

Assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in the banking sector is becoming increasingly important. This study aims to analyze the correlation between ESG scores and the performance of banks. The ESG data were gathered using a Bloomberg database. Using fixed-effect estimation for a static model, this study examines a balanced panel sample of 15 Jordanian-listed banks from 2009 to 2023. Based on multivariate regression, the study outcomes suggest that Jordanian banks with higher ESG scores perform better in operating and market performance. Stakeholder theory supports this. Accordingly, the R2 values for the study models were 23.9% for the ROA model and 18.7% for Tobin’s Q, respectively, showing the high explanatory power of both models. Therefore, an increase of one point in ESG scores leads to a corresponding rise in ROA and Tobin’s Q 0.496 and 0.370, respectively. Regarding control variables, leverage has a negative correlation coefficient of –0.169 and –0.253, respectively, in both the ROA and Tobin’s Q models. According to the ROA model, a one-unit increase in bank size leads to a 0.309-unit increase in bank performance and a 0.115-unit increase, according to Tobin’s Q model. Similarly, as the bank ages by one year, its performance improves, with the ROA and Tobin’s Q models showing increases of 0.216 and 0.116 units, respectively. Additionally, the financial development showed correlation coefficients of 0.108 and 0.045 for the ROA and Tobin’s Q models, respectively. However, the ESG committee does not affect the performance of banks.

Acknowledgment
This research was funded through the annual funding track by the Deanship of Scientific Research, from the Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant NO. KFU242703].

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
In emerging markets, understanding the dynamics of share price volatility is essential for corporate financial management and investor decision-making. The industrial sector often experiences price movements that may be influenced by companies’ financial policies. This research investigates the impact of dividend policy on share price volatility, with a focus on the moderating role of the debt ratio. The research draws on a balanced panel dataset of 64 Jordanian industrial firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange during the period 2015–2023.
Using panel regression models, the findings reveal a statistically significant negative association between both dividend yield and payout ratio with share price volatility. Specifically, a 1% increase in dividend yield is associated with a 0.42% reduction in volatility (p < 0.01), while a 1-point increase in the payout ratio reduces volatility by approximately 0.31% (p < 0.05). In addition, the debt ratio significantly moderates these relationships, which reduces the stabilizing impact of dividends in highly leveraged firms. The high interaction term between dividend yield and debt ratio was confirmed by the positive interaction term between dividend yield and debt ratio. These findings highlight the importance of balanced dividend and leverage strategies in reducing stock market risk, which may improve market stability.

Acknowledgment(s)
This research was funded through the annual funding track by the Deanship of Scientific Research, from the vice presidency for graduate studies and scientific research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant No. KFU253003].