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Geographic Variation in Religiosity and Its Impact of Dividend Policies

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  • Omar Farooq

    (School of Business, ADA University, 61 Ahmadbay Agha-Oglu Street, Baku, AZ1008 Azerbaijan)

  • Mukhammadfoik Bakhadirov

    (School of Business, ADA University, 61 Ahmadbay Agha-Oglu Street, Baku, AZ1008 Azerbaijan)

  • Neveen Ahmed

    (American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue Road, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to document the relationship between geographical variations in the religiosity levels and the dividend policies adopted by firms. Using the data provided by the Gallup International, we test our arguments on the firms headquartered in different states of the United States. Our results show that firms headquartered in states with high level of religiosity have higher payout ratios than firms headquartered in states with low level of religiosity. These are results are robust across various proxies of religiosity and dividend policies (decision to pay dividend, decision to increase dividend, and dividend yield). We also show that value of dividend payouts is higher in states with high level of religiosity. We extend prior literature by also documenting the moderating role of religiosity for the value of dividend policy

Suggested Citation

  • Omar Farooq & Mukhammadfoik Bakhadirov & Neveen Ahmed, 2020. "Geographic Variation in Religiosity and Its Impact of Dividend Policies," Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance (AAMJAF), Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, vol. 16(1), pages 109-125.
    • Handle: RePEc:usm:journl:aamjaf01601_109-125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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