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Section Financial Accounting

The impact of opportunistic behavior on reducing the quality of financial reports - an analytical study in Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks in Najaf

Dampak perilaku oportunistik terhadap penurunan kualitas laporan keuangan - sebuah studi analitis di bank Al-Rafidain dan Al-Rasheed di Najaf
Vol. 21 No. 2 (2026): May:

Huda Ameen Oleiwi (1)

(1) Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University,Technical Institute / Najaf, Iraq
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Abstract:

General Background: Financial reporting quality is essential for transparency and accountability in the banking sector. Specific Background: Opportunistic behavior by managers, such as self-interest seeking and lack of commitment, can distort financial information and reduce the credibility of financial reports. Knowledge Gap: Empirical evidence examining the relationship between opportunistic behavior and financial reporting quality in emerging banking contexts such as Najaf remains limited. Aims: This study examines the relationship between opportunistic behavior and financial reporting quality among employees of Al-Rafidain Bank and Al-Rasheed Bank in Najaf. Results: The findings show a low level of opportunistic behavior (mean 1.614) and a relatively high level of financial reporting quality (mean 3.978), with accuracy recording the highest value. Statistical analysis confirms a significant negative relationship between opportunistic behavior and financial reporting quality. Novelty: The study links behavioral dimensions of opportunism with the dimensions of accuracy, reliability, and readability of financial reporting within the Iraqi banking sector. Implications: The results emphasize the importance of ethics training, governance mechanisms, and adherence to reporting standards to maintain reliable financial reporting practices.


Highlights
• Strong negative statistical relationship identified between opportunistic conduct and reporting credibility
• Highest evaluation recorded for statement precision dimension
• Respondents reported minimal tendency toward self-serving managerial actions


Keywords
Opportunistic Behavior; Financial Reporting Quality; Banking Sector; Agency Theory; Corporate Governance

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