Researching Accountability and Leading Change

At ICMS, education isn’t just theoretical – it’s about solving real-world problems. Research on environmental accountability by Dr Ahmad Shahid, ICMS Program Manager (Business and Accounting), is a perfect example of this.  

Dr Shahid recently co-authored a paper titled ‘Fostering Environmental Integrity via Investor-focused Communications: Private In-house Meeting Disclosures and Greenwashing Behaviours’.  

The study, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organisation (JEBO), was a collaboration with Dr June Cao and Zhijie Huang from Curtin University, Australia. JEBO is an A-star ranked journal recognised by the Australian Business Deans Council. 

Tackling Greenwashing with Transparency

The research investigates how requiring companies to disclose details from private in-house meetings can reduce greenwashing – a practice where companies exaggerate or mislead the public about their environmental efforts.  

Through an experimental approach, Dr Shahid and his team found that mandatory disclosures don’t just expose greenwashing behaviors; they actively discourage them. 

By driving transparency, these policies encourage businesses to strengthen their environmental integrity, create a culture of honesty, and even enhance their social reputation.  

Interestingly, companies with higher levels of information asymmetry – often the hardest to scrutinise – showed the greatest improvements under these disclosure requirements.  

Dr Shahid and the team’s research equips policymakers and industry leaders with tools to promote accountability and authentic corporate sustainability. 

Connecting Research to Students

Dr Shahid is committed to ensuring his research has a meaningful impact beyond academia. 

“My research focuses on perceived accountability – how being aware of our responsibility impacts our decisions. It’s about socially responsible investing, decisions that benefit both society and the environment,” Dr Shahid said.    

By incorporating these findings into his teaching, he helps ICMS students grasp the growing importance of sustainability and accountability in the business world.  

This hands-on approach prepares the next generation of business leaders to make informed and ethical decisions in their careers. 

How ICMS Supports Research

With a PhD in Accounting and credentials as both a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Practicing Accountant, Dr Shahid offers immense expertise to the ICMS community.  

His research excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed.  

At the recent ICMS Faculty Forum, he was awarded a Scholarly Practice Grant from ICMS to present his work at the Asia-Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting (APIRA) Conference in Adelaide this July.  

ICMS encourages a culture of innovation through initiatives like the Scholarly Practice Grants, awarded three times a year.  

These grants empower faculty members to pursue impactful research that benefits students and the broader community.  

ICMS’s commitment to combining academic research with industry relevance creates a unique environment for solving real-world challenges.  

Education That Drives Change

Dr Shahid’s achievements showcase the ICMS focus on education that connects directly to real-world applications.  

His work not only shapes how businesses approach environmental and social accountability but also inspires students to aim high and make a difference.  

His research reminds us that with accountability and integrity as guiding principles, meaningful change is always within reach.