Antecedents of tax compliance of small business enterprises: a developing country perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-44
Author(s):  
Night Sadress ◽  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Laura Orobia ◽  
Julius Opiso
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Single Study ◽  
Correlational Data ◽  
Business Enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of attitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces to tax compliance of small business enterprises (SBEs) in a developing country in a single study.Design/methodology/approachThis study is cross-sectional and correlational. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 214 owner-managed SBEs in Uganda through their managers. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.FindingsAttitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces significantly contribute to tax compliance to the extent of 57.4 per cent. Isomorphic forces have a high predictive power of tax compliance as compared with attitude towards electronic tax system. Further, coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism as constructs of isomorphic forces are significantly associated with tax compliance.Research limitations/implicationsGiven that this study was cross-sectional, monitoring changes in behaviour over time was not possible. The results are useful for policy makers and taxpayers in developing countries. These results can also be generalized to other developing countries especially those in Africa and other continents dominated by developing countries.Originality/valueTo the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the contribution of attitude towards electronic tax system, adoption of electronic tax system and isomorphic forces to tax compliance of SBEs in a developing country in a single study on the African scene.

Tax compliance in a developing country

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Philemon Mvura ◽  
David Nyamuyonjo ◽  
Julius Opiso ◽  
Zulaika Nakabuye
Keyword(s):  
Developing Country ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between perceived grounds for tax non-compliance or compliance behaviors and perceived tax compliance factors. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a correlational and cross-sectional survey design seeking to understand tax compliance by taxpayers’ perceptions in Uganda. Data from 205 respondents to the questionnaire were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists and structural equation modeling with analysis of moment structures. Findings Governmental effectiveness, transparent tax system (TTS) and voice and accountability (VA) are perceived grounds for tax compliance or non-tax compliance and, as indicators of tax administration significantly influence variances in tax compliance. Tax compliance in Uganda is indicated by perceived worth and distribution of public expenditure (WDPE), level of taxation, inequalities in the tax system and tax evasion. Research limitations/implications No distinction is made between actual and potential taxpayers. Still, the results can contribute to our understanding of tax compliance puzzle from the behavioral angle. Factors such as perceived WDPE indicate a taxpayer’s compliance decision and factors such as governmental effectiveness explain that decision. Additional government policy requirements beyond greater enforcement actions by the tax authorities should be cultivated. Originality/value Results contribute to extending the basic tax effort model by establishing the extent to which VA, TTS and governmental effectiveness (GEF) matter in a developing country context. The study presents tax compliance as a taxpayer’s decision that is informed by perceptions and shows that factors increasing the taxpayers’ perceptions about VA and GEF relate to the importance that their perceptions have in their tax compliance decisions.

scholarly journals Determinants of Tax Compliance of Micro and Small Business Enterprise (MSE) Category “C” Taxpayers, the Case of Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-80
Author(s):  
Mitiku Melese Tessema
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Social Scientist ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Compliance Cost ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Tax Rate ◽  
Micro And Small Enterprises ◽  
Business Enterprises

This study sought to identify the determinant of tax compliance in Ethiopia, specifically focusing on Micro and Small business enterprises operating in the Gurage zone. The researcher outlined a detailed literature review and identified the variables for this research to be tax rate, tax knowledge, tax compliance cost; the attitude of Micro and small enterprises and tax system. The research employed both descriptive and explanatory research design. A sample size of 325 was used from a population of 1726 micro and small business enterprises category “C” taxpayers in the Gurage zone. Data was collected using questionnaires and the structured interview. The collected data was consequently analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist software (SPSS V.22) and the findings of the research presented using tables, various chart types and graphs.  The results showed that tax rate, tax knowledge, tax compliance cost, the attitude of SME's and tax system significant determine tax compliance of taxpayers. Tax rate, Tax system and compliance cost predominantly affect tax compliance. Concerning the cost of tax compliance, the study revealed that Micro and Small businesses incur different costs such as salary of accountants, fees to tax consultants, cost of stationeries, etc. that contributed for their non-compliance and estimation of Micro and Small Enterprises tax is another problem-related tax system. However, the taxpayers do feel and strongly agree that the taxation system in Ethiopia is in great need of improvement.  The study then recommended that the current tax law should be amended to incorporate provisions that grant special tax incentives to MSEs to improve voluntary tax compliance by MSE taxpayers. The study also recommended that the ERCA should disseminate information on the tax rate and tax system more frequently to improve the levels of tax know-how for voluntary tax compliance.

Tax compliance of financial services firms: a developing economy perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen Musimenta ◽  
Sylvia Naigaga ◽  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Mariam Ssemakula Najjuma
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Compliance Costs ◽  
Tax Morale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Financial Services Firms

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of tax morale, compliance costs and tax compliance of financial services firms in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study is cross-sectional and correlational and adopts firm-level data collected using a questionnaire survey of 210 financial services firms in Uganda from which usable questionnaires were received from 152 financial services firms. Findings Tax morale and compliance costs contribute up to 20.6 per cent of the variance in tax compliance of the financial services firms. Tax morale and tax compliance are positively and significantly associated. Results further indicate that compliance costs and tax compliance are positively and significantly associated. National pride and trust in government and its legal systems as dimensions of tax morale independently are significantly associated with tax compliance. Results also indicate that administration costs and specialist costs as dimensions of compliance costs individually are significantly associated with tax compliance. Research limitations/implications This study results should be generalized with caution, as they are limited to the financial services firms in Uganda. Originality/value Whereas there has been a number of studies on tax compliance in both developed and developing countries, this is the first study on the African scene to examine the contribution of tax morale and compliance costs on tax compliance of financial services firms in a single suite. It is unbelievable that the financial services firms, especially commercial banks which are highly regulated by the central bank in many developing countries, can afford to report tax payables year after year.

Tax compliance behaviour of small business enterprises in Uganda

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1117-1132
Author(s):  
Rebecca Isabella Kiconco ◽  
Waliya Gwokyalya ◽  
Arthur Sserwanga ◽  
Waswa Balunywa
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Business Enterprises ◽  
Compliance Behaviour

Purpose This study aims to investigate the extent to which the theory of reasoned action (TRA) can be used to explain tax compliance among small business enterprises (SBEs) in Uganda and extends the application and relevance of the theory to a new area of tax compliance. It contributes the TRA, as a predictor of tax compliance in a developing country context. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey targeting different categories of SBEs was carried out using interviewer-administered questionnaires. A sample of 384 SBEs was used in the study. Findings The TRA contributes critical insights on the tax compliance behaviour of small businesses in developing economies. It influences tax compliance behaviour. The study illustrates evidence about the negative attitudes SBEs have on intentions to comply with tax regulations and the extent to which these attitudes influence their compliance behaviour. Subjective norms positively influence tax compliance intentions in a positive manner. Overall, the appearance of these intentions shows a negative effect on tax compliance behaviour. These findings also imply that Uganda Revenue Authority needs to understand the social psychology of taxpayers and tailor these in their policies and efforts to increase compliance. Research limitations/implications The TRA has been used to explain behaviour in numerous situations in psychology. The study used this theory in a new geographical, economic and administrative environment; Uganda. This theory has proved relevant in explaining psychological, sociological and economic behaviour; specifically tax compliance. The TRA was revised to include a new construct of perceived behavioural control, which turned into the theory of planned behaviour. This could not be studied due to time and logistic constraints. Therefore, there is a need to investigate if this revised theory can explain tax compliance behaviour better. Practical implications The paper suggests that tax administration efforts and policies should consider the social-psychology aspects of the taxpayers to improve tax compliance. Originality/value This study adds a new arena of explaining tax compliance from a theory commonly used in psychology to a new setting in finance.

scholarly journals The mediating role of adoption of an electronic tax system in the relationship between attitude towards electronic tax system and tax compliance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (49) ◽  
pp. 73-88
Author(s):  
Sadress Night ◽  
Juma Bananuka
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of adoption of electronic tax system in the relationship between attitude towards electronic tax system and tax compliance using evidence from small business enterprises (SBEs) of an African developing economy. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research approach where questionnaires with close-ended questions were used. This study’s research design was cross-sectional and correlational. Usable questionnaires were received from 214 managers of SBEs, and data were analysed with the help of SPSS v22 and MedGraph program (Excel version). Findings Adoption of electronic tax system is a partial mediator in the association between attitude towards electronic tax system and tax compliance. Results further indicate that adoption of electronic tax system and attitude towards electronic tax system are significantly associated with tax compliance. Research limitations/implications This study was cross-sectional, and monitoring changes in behaviour over time was not possible. The study used a quantitative research approach, and this limits respondents from expressing their feelings fully. The study was conducted in Uganda, and it is possible that the results of this study can be generalized to developing countries with environments similar to that of Uganda. Originality/value Whereas there has been a number of studies on tax compliance, this study provides an initial empirical evidence on the mediation effect of adoption of electronic tax system in the relationship between attitude towards electronic tax system and tax compliance using evidence from SBEs of an African developing economy – Uganda.

Board involvement in corporate performance: evidence from a developing country

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaminda Wijethilake ◽  
Athula Ekanayake ◽  
Sujatha Perera
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Corporate Performance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Ceo Duality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the understanding of the relationship between board involvement and corporate performance within the context of developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – A number of aspects related to board involvement, including board’s shareholdings, frequency of board meetings, availability of independent board committees, board size, CEO duality, and CEO is being a promoter, were examined in order to explore their influence on corporate performance measured in terms of earnings per share. The study mainly draws on agency theory, and is supplemented by resource dependence and stewardship theories. Multiple regression analysis is utilized to analyze the data gathered from a sample of 212 publicly listed companies in 20 industries in the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka. Findings – Among the aspects of board involvement considered, board’s shareholdings, board meetings frequency, independent committees, and CEO duality showed a positive influence on corporate performance. However, two other aspects, namely CEO being a promoter, and the size of corporate boards showed a negative effect. The findings also suggest that the use of multiple theories, rather than depending on a single theory, is more effective in understanding the relationships examined in this study. Further, the study highlights the need to be cautious in utilizing the theories that are more applicable to matured western economies when analyzing issues relating to developing countries. Originality/value – This study makes an original contribution to corporate governance literature by examining the relationship between board involvement and corporate performance in a developing country, namely Sri Lanka. The study also adds to the existing literature by utilizing multiple theories to examine the issue under investigation.

Major obstacles facing business enterprises in an emerging economy: the case of Ghana using the World Bank Enterprise Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-487
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Mohammed ◽  
Alhassan Bunyaminu
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
The World ◽  
Business Enterprises ◽  
World Bank Enterprise Survey ◽  
Enterprise Survey

PurposeThis paper aims at identifying the major obstacles to business enterprise in an emerging economy and how these obstacles are associated with different characteristics of the enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe study relied on the World Bank Enterprise Survey data on Ghana and applied binary and ordinal probit regression techniques to estimate the associations between the characteristics of the enterprises and the identified obstacles. Significance testing of the associations is also conducted.FindingsThe five main obstacles perceived by most of the enterprises in the study are access to finance, electricity, access to land, customs and trade regulations and tax rates. These obstacles are associated in different ways to growth rate (high vs low growth), scale (small and medium vs large), age, size of employees, the experience of the top manager and ownership (wholly domestic vs foreign ownership).Research limitations/implicationsAs a cross-sectional study focusing on Ghana, the findings are informative about the major obstacles facing business enterprises in an emerging economy; however, the ecological validity of these findings may be limited to factors specific to Ghana.Originality/valueGiven the representativeness of the Enterprise Survey, policymakers can rely on these findings to formulate useful policies to promote the operations of business enterprises.

Impact of corruption on Chinese investment in African countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilin Yuan ◽  
Haiyang Chen ◽  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Control Variables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of host country corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) from China to developing countries in Africa. With the opposing arguments that corruption is detrimental to or instrumental in FDI and mixed empirical evidence, this paper contributes to the literature by providing new evidence on the issue. Additionally, little research has been done on the impact of corruption on FDI made by developing country multinationals to developing countries. This paper fills a void in this area. Design/methodology/approach Based on the published literature, as well as China and Africa contexts, the authors develop hypotheses that host countries with low corruption receive more FDI and resource-seeking investments weaken the relationship. The annual stock of Chinese FDI in 35 African countries, host country corruption data and other control variables from 2007 to 2015 are collected. Feasible generalized least squares models are used to test the hypotheses. Additional robustness tests are also conducted. Findings The findings support the hypotheses. Specifically, Chinese investors make more investments in host countries with low corruption except for resource-seeking investments in resource-rich host counties. The results are statistically significant accounting for various control variables. The results of the robustness tests show that the main findings are robust. Originality/value First, this study provides new evidence on the impact of corruption on FDI. Second, this study also fills a void by examining FDI from a developing country, China to other developing countries in Africa. Finally, this study also has a practical implication for Chinese multinationals investing in Africa.

scholarly journals Determinants of capital structure for firms in an Islamic equity index: comparing developed and developing countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-191
Author(s):  
Evrim Hilal Kahya ◽  
Hüseyin Yiğit Ersen ◽  
Cumhur Ekinci ◽  
Oktay Taş ◽  
Koray D. Simsek
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Capital Structure ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Muslim Country ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Muslim Majority ◽  
Equity Index

PurposeThe paper aims to identify the differences between developed and developing country firms with respect to firm-specific and country-level determinants of their capital structure. For this purpose, all constituent firms in one of the oldest Islamic equity indices, Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index (DJIM), are considered and the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country is recognized.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs Hausman–Taylor random effects regression with endogenous covariates to explain the debt ratios of firms in DJIM by separating them into developed and developing country subsamples in an unbalanced panel data setting. Developing country subsample is further split into two based on the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country.FindingsConsistent with the previous literature, this study finds that firm-specific characteristics are the main determinants of their capital structure. Additionally, the paper shows that country-level characteristics have an impact on the debt ratio, however, the types of factors vary across developed and developing countries. Debt ratios in developing country firms are lower than those in developed country firms, largely due to the significantly smaller leverage ratios of firms in Muslim-majority countries. Although the debt ratios of DJIM firms are higher in “non-Muslim” countries, the set of firm-level capital structure determinants are not statistically explained by operating in a “Muslim” country. The study also documents that, before the global financial crisis of 2008, companies in developing countries have gradually become less leveraged worldwide.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new perspective into the differences between developed and developing country firms' capital structures by focusing on a relatively homogeneous data set restricted by leverage screening rules of an Islamic equity index and recognizing the Muslim-majority status of each firm's domicile country.

The internationalization of small to medium-sized enterprises: do all levels in international networking matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-837
Author(s):  
Godwin Mwesigye Ahimbisibwe ◽  
Joseph Mpeera Ntayi ◽  
Muhammed Ngoma ◽  
Geoffrey Bakunda ◽  
Levi Bategeka Kabagambe
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Network Integration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Integration Levels ◽  
Network Extension

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether each level in international networking (network extension, network penetration and network integration) matters in the internationalization of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a cross-sectional and correlational research design. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 206 exporting SMEs in Uganda. The study employed a structural equation modelling (SEM) technique using partial least square (PLS) to test the hypothesis.FindingsThe findings revealed that network extension and network integration do matter in SMEs’ internationalization, while network penetration does not.Practical implicationsSMEs in developing countries need to concentrate on network extension and network integration levels to successfully internationalize their operations.Originality/valueThe study provides initial evidence on whether network extension, network penetration and network integration matter in SMEs’ internationalization in developing countries like Uganda.

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