http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/50 2026-08-03T15:03:52Z 2026-08-03T15:03:52Z Saha, Shuvabrata http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4846 2026-08-03T04:05:03Z 2026-08-03T00:00:00Z

Conformity of Accounting Practices with International Standards in the Local Government of Bangladesh Saha, Shuvabrata Purpose: The shift from cash to accrual accounting and the establishment of globally recognized International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) represent a significant development in public sector accounting (PSA) practices. These reforms are largely inspired by the New Public Management (NPM) paradigm, which demands enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public financial management, similar to the private sector. However, the uniqueness and complexity of the public sector have made the reform process challenging. In this context, the present study focuses on the local governments (LGs) of Bangladesh, one of the most significant entities in the public sector with distinctive features. The study primarily aimed to explore and examine the current accounting practices of LG in relation to international standards. Furthermore, the research also intended to explore the factors influencing the IPSAS-based accrual reform and evaluate the perceived benefits associated with these reforms in the LG of Bangladesh. DiMaggio and Powell’s (1983) Neo-institutional Sociology (NIS), as well as an integrated theoretical framework of contingency theory by Lueder (1992) and its further development in Lueder’s FMR model (2002), along with NPM philosophies, were deployed as the theoretical underpinning of the study. Methodology and Data: The study collected data from various complementary sources to yield robust and comprehensive findings, following an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design. This study has assembled secondary data from the documentary evidence of the respective LG offices, relevant acts, and other organizations associated with the LGs. Additionally, the study has reviewed relevant literature. In the quantitative phase, cross-sectional data were collected from 153 accounting personnel of local governments using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, employing a multi-stage random sampling technique. In addition, to explain the quantitative outcomes, 31 semi-structured interviews and 10 Key Informants interviews have been conducted. The questionnaire data were analyzed by applying SEM via SmartPLS software, and interviews were analyzed employing thematic narrative analysis. Findings: The study reveals that the existing manual cash basis accounting practices of LGs deviate from international norms and fail to provide detailed and timely information to the users. The study revealed that both institutional and contextual aspects significantly influence local government accrual transformation. This study suggested that ensuring | viii sufficient ICT infrastructure, updated legal frameworks, improved training facilities, appointment of skilled accounting personnel, engaging professionals and their strong support, and a sincere leadership commitment to reform are the significant factors for the successful implementation of accrual reform in the LGs. Therefore, the study concluded that without creating a favorable implementation environment, sheer pressure from resource providers or imitative tendency would not yield the intended reform in the LG. Research Implications: The study outcomes will benefit the researchers, policymakers, relevant authorities, and other stakeholders in advancing local government accounting reform. Moreover, the research outcomes may significantly contribute to the implementation of the accounting reform initiatives of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Bangladesh. Finally, the study has a great potential to contribute to the PSA literature and the ongoing arguments on accrual reform in the public sector. Originality: In the global context, there is limited research that explores the factors influencing accrual reform in local government, employing an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design together with structural equation model techniques. The study is the first of its Kind in Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

2026-08-03T00:00:00Z Bahadur, Subrota Kumar http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4845 2026-08-03T04:00:58Z 2026-08-03T00:00:00Z

Green Financing by Banks in Bangladesh Bahadur, Subrota Kumar Environmental pollution is a severe challenge to human existence and comfortable living now a-days. It is a great concern globally from the last few decades. The western and some other developed countries had adopted green financing and green efforts as remedial measures to environmental degradation from a number of years before. The developing and least developed countries (LDCs) are yet to start the race with full impetus. Bangladesh stepped into the race by adopting green financing in the year 2011. The government of Bangladesh provided patronage to the initiative by reducing the interest rate of bank loan in a package titled ‘Green Financing’. The campaign has passed more than a decade from 2011 to till now. As implementation agent, the commercial banks of the country expanded loan facilities for green projects under the supervision of the central bank of the country. Bangladesh Bank has adopted initiatives to impose the Green Banking for saving the people of the country. The Bangladesh Bank (BB), central bank of Bangladesh, has taken special programs to promote “green banking”, and issued policy guidelines and formulated 5-year strategic plan for 2010-2014 period to launch green banking in the country. Green Banking is an active agenda under this plan. Bangladesh Bank (BB) has emphasized that all commercial banks (Public and Private) should finance in the environmental projects and all should be disclosed in their annual reports. Green Banking has changed the way banks were rendering their services. Commercial banks of the country have been successful in financing a number of green projects from effluent treatment plant (ETP) to green industry. The performance of the green financing efforts is appreciable, but not satisfactory. As the mission in green financing is environmental protection and long-term human welfare, it is ~ ~ ix against banks’ higher profitability and against borrowers’ urgent necessity. So, the real picture of green finance taking and project implementations is below expectation. The effect of green financing on some variables had been tried to find out. A correlation between green finance and net profit after tax was found out. There is low positive correlation (r = + 0.146) between green finance and net profit after tax. There exists low positive correlation between green finance and log of deposits (r = + 0.211). Multiple regression model shows there is significant impact of independent variables (green finance) on the dependent variables (RoA, Lod, CL, etc.). The Durbin-Watson statistic is 2.14 which show that there is positive autocorrelation between the variables. Green Finance is contributing positive impacts on economic and environmental aspects, ecosystems, social dimensions of Bangladesh. Under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations is emphasizing Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting (ESG Reporting). By the end of 2030, Bangladesh would achieve sustainable performance in the field of economic, social and environmental areas by green financing. The study also focusses on the sustainable financial system. For ensuring sustainable financial system, we should focus on policy based financial institutions, fully digital banks, other digital financial institutions, green credit, green insurance, green bonds, green venture capital and green investments. Findings based on opinion survey, focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview (KII) were also attempted. Through factor analysis, the researcher has found that there are eight factors that are influencing green finance significantly. Those factors are environmental, social, governance; Green bonds, Green Credits and other sustainable financial products, mismatch of time horizon and its impact on long-term decision-making; Governance of sustainable investment and green financing; Green products and its impacts on ~ ~ x Environment; Credit ratings’ impact on Green Finance, Insurance companies’ roles in green finance; and Insurance companies’ role in enhancing green finance. There are other six factors which the researcher has studied, but factor analysis showed that these are less significant for enhancing green finance in Bangladesh. Those are – mobilizing the private financing in green projects; Bangladesh Bank motivations and incentives for green financial projects; green finance’s effect on the climate change and impacts, carbon emission, etc. Bangladesh Bank’s regulatory framework has been proved to be very effective. Green Finance is contributing a lot for achieving SDGs in Bangladesh. Lastly, the selected 10 Banks are enhancing their earnings and corporate image by extending green credits for green products. The incentives given by the government in green financing are reduction of interest rate and noble encouragement, which are not adequate to offset the loss or additional cost incurred by the banks or the borrowers. As a result, in spite of high optimism of environmental up-gradation by green financing, it is yet to achieve certain level even after a decade of launching green initiative. To achieve the target of green environment with possible up–gradation, government should provide more incentives, such as, interest free green financing, tax incentives, cash incentives, etc. for the banks and also cash or profit incentives for the borrowers for taking green projects, like, effluent treatment plant, solar panel for solar or renewable energy and other measures. Above all, the present trend of green financing should be continued for sustainable and environment-friendly development. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

2026-08-03T00:00:00Z HOSSAIN, TAHMINA http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4797 2026-03-03T07:53:25Z 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z

EVALUATION OF PRICING STRATEGIES IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR OF BANGLADESH HOSSAIN, TAHMINA The high price of pharmaceutical drugs remains a critical issue in Bangladesh, where a large portion of the population struggles to afford essential medicines. This study investigates the underlying causes of high drug prices, focusing on the pricing strategies of the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical sector. It analyzes financial data from 26 companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, representing over 76% of the market, to examine the relationship between cost of goods sold (COGS) and net income (NI). Quantitative methods, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis using STATA 14, assess how COGS impacts profitability. In addition, stakeholder perspectives were collected through structured surveys using a Likert scale and analyzed through frequency distribution. The findings indicate a positive correlation between COGS and net profit, reflecting the dominance of cost-plus pricing models in the sector. This suggests that lowering production and supply chain costs could help reduce drug prices. However, the study also identifies key obstacles such as inefficient supply systems and unethical marketing practices, which further inflate prices and limit access. To address these challenges, the research recommends strengthening regulatory oversight, encouraging local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), supporting contract manufacturing, and implementing cost-control policies. These steps aim to enhance affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of essential medicines in Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

2026-03-03T00:00:00Z Saha, Juwel Kumar http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4701 2025-07-08T09:25:02Z 2025-07-08T00:00:00Z

Status of Green Accounting in Bangladesh Saha, Juwel Kumar The study explores the current status of Green Accounting and Reporting (GAR) practices in Bangladesh's banking sector, focusing on corporate sustainability and environmental matters. The research also aims to measure the extent of GAR practices of all thirty commercial banks listed in the stock exchanges based on GRI Standards, focusing broadly on green issues from an environmental perspective. Specifically, the research is based on three objectives to enhance the core objective by simultaneously addressing three research questions. This study used content analysis as the main method to answer the first and second research questions. Further, the survey method, mainly a questionnaire, was employed to address the third and final research question. The first research objective explores the overall nature of GAR practices in Bangladesh's banking industry, analyzing the content of specific areas of GAR information in the annual reports of 30 selected banks listed in the stock exchanges. The results indicate a significant increase in the adoption of GAR practices in recent years. The second objective measures the extent of GAR practices by Bangladeshi banks, explicitly focusing on adherence to GRI Standards regarding the environment. The study finds that almost all sampled banks provided GAR information but needed to be fully compliant with the GRI Standards. The third and final research objective identifies the challenges Bangladeshi banks currently face in adopting GAR practices. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 20 selected staff members of the sustainability department of the banks to identify the challenges in practice. Key challenges hindering the adoption of GAR in the banking sector include undeveloped green infrastructure, lack of awareness about green technologies, unskilled workforce, lack of consciousness about green accounts, low adoption of green initiatives, inadequate in-house green activities, lack of coordination with different stakeholders, and insufficient information about green issues. The research results promote sustainability and environmental responsibility in the financial industry, helping banks attain ongoing improvement and nurture connections with stakeholders. This allows banks to adequately explain sustainable growth's positive and negative implications, improving transparency and accountability. The xi study offers policy recommendations to encourage implementing GAR practices in Bangladesh's banking sector, aiming to inspire authorities to develop sustainable initiatives and reporting practices. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

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