Mahdi Salehi | Econometrics and Finance | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Dr. Mahdi Salehi | Econometrics and Finance | Excellence in Research Award

Professor of Accounting | Ferdowsi University of Mashhad | Iran

Professor Mahdi Salehi is a leading scholar in Accounting at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, recognized internationally for his extensive contributions to auditing, corporate governance, financial reporting, and capital market behavior. Over nearly two decades, he has produced an outstanding body of research, authoring more than 280 scholarly works, with a citation profile that includes over 611 Published Documents  12445 citations, an h-index of 58, and 274 i10-index entries positioning him among the most influential accounting researchers in the Middle East and emerging markets.His early research played a foundational role in shaping discourse around the audit expectation gap, auditor independence and audit committee effectiveness, demonstrated through seminal works such as Audit Expectation Gap: Reasonableness of Audit Expectation Gap  and Audit Competence and Audit Quality . Throughout he published extensively on entrepreneurship knowledge management corporate governance mechanisms non-audit services the evolution of accounting in Iran financial intermediaries and asymmetric information offering empirical insights into the unique dynamics of emerging economies.Professor Salehi’s most cited works on accounting information systems e-banking on-the-job training effectiveness strategic information systems and audit quality determinants have individually attracted well over 150–300 citations reflecting their enduring theoretical and practical relevance. His more recent publications in influential journals including Sustainability Humanomics Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies EuroMed Journal of Business and Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting address contemporary themes such as CSR disclosure CEO opportunism tax avoidance financial transparency innovation investment efficiency bankruptcy risk and corporate reputation.Professor Salehi’s collaborations with scholars across Europe the Middle East and Asia broaden the global comparative understanding of governance and reporting practices. His work consistently integrates empirical rigor with societal relevance contributing to policy debates on transparency auditor responsibility ethical governance and sustainable corporate conduct. With substantial scholarly visibility and real-world impact Professor Salehi stands as a pivotal figure whose research continues to shape accounting thought professional practice and regulatory development in emerging and international contexts.

Profiles : ORCID | Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1.Salehi, M., Rostami, V., & Mogadam, A. (2010). Usefulness of accounting information system in emerging economy: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2(2), 186–195. Cited By : 310

2.Salehi, M., & Alipour, M. (2010). E-banking in emerging economy: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2(1), 201–209. Cited By : 282

3.Alipour, M., Salehi, M., & Shahnavaz, A. (2009). A study of on the job training effectiveness: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Business and Management, 4(11), 63–68. Cited By : 215

4.Hemmatfar, M., Salehi, M., & Bayat, M. (2010). Competitive advantages and strategic information systems. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(7), 158–169. Cited By : 177

5.Salehi, M., Fakhri Mahmoudi, M. R., & Daemi Gah, A. (2019). A meta-analysis approach for determinants of effective factors on audit quality: Evidence from emerging market. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 9(2), 287–312. Cited By : 168

The nominee’s research advances scientific understanding of financial systems in emerging economies, offering evidence-based insights that strengthen transparency, audit quality, and digital banking adoption. Their work supports more resilient institutions and empowers societies through improved financial decision-making and governance.

Dr. Barkha Goyal | Economic Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Barkha Goyal | Economic Award | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Barkha Goyal, Delhi School of Business, India

Dr. Barkha Goyal is an Assistant Professor at Delhi School of Business, New Delhi, India. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, where her research focused on corporate governance, financial reporting quality, and risk-taking in the Indian insurance industry. With a strong academic background including an M.A. in Economics and a B.Com. from reputed Indian universities, Dr. Goyal has taught various subjects such as Business Statistics, Economic Environment and Policy, and International Financial Management. Her research interests lie in corporate governance and insurance, and she has presented her work at several national and international conferences. She has received multiple academic honors, including a Gold Medal in M.Phil. and a Best Paper Award. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Goyal actively contributes as a reviewer for international journals and has participated in numerous workshops on econometrics and data analysis.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Barkha Goyal is an emerging scholar in the field of Economics, with a focused research portfolio in corporate governance, financial reporting, and risk-taking behavior—particularly within the Indian insurance sector. Her profile reflects exceptional research productivity, academic rigor, and consistent scholarly engagement, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

  • 🧠 Ph.D. in Economics (July 2018 – July 2024)
    Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
    ➤ Advisor: Dr. Rachita Gulati
    Thesis: Corporate Governance, Financial Reporting Quality, and Risk-taking in the Indian Insurance Industry

  • 📘 M.A. in Economics (May 2016)
    Central University of Haryana, India

  • 📊 B.Com. (Pass Course) (May 2014)
    Maharshi Dayanand University, India

💼 Work Experience

  • 📚 Assistant Professor (June 2024 – Present)
    Delhi School of Business
    ➤ Teaching: Business Statistics, Economic Environment and Policy, International Financial Management (PGDM Program)

  • 👩‍🔬 Teaching Assistant
    Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee
    ➤ Courses Taught:

    • Basic Economics (2019–2020)

    • Money, Banking and Financial Markets (2020–2021)

    • Basic Econometrics (2020–2021)
      ➤ Role: Tutorials, Presentations, Assignments, Question Paper Design & Evaluation

  • 🏛️ Internship (June – August 2015)
    Ministry of Home Affairs, Principal Chief Controller of Accounts
    ➤ Project: Gender Budgeting Implementation in MHA, New Delhi

🏆 Achievements, Awards & Honors

  • 🥇 Best Paper Award
    2nd International Conference on Revisiting Business and Corporate Governance, GRFCG, New Delhi

  • 🏅 Gold Medal for outstanding performance in M.Phil.

  • 🎓 MHRD Fellowship Recipient
    Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

  • 🏵️ Top Ten & Meritorious Scholarship in B.Com.

Publication Top Notes:

A nexus between corporate governance and performance: evidence from the Indian insurance industry

Quality of financial reporting in the Indian insurance industry: Does corporate governance matter?

Insurer’s Risk-Taking Behavior in India: Does Board Matter?

Do board and audit governance matters for insurer performance? A meta-analytical review

Regional Economic Growth and Inequality in India: A Sector-wise Decomposition Analysis