Volume 37 of Research in Finance, Contemporary Issues in Financial Economics, presents an extensive collection of chapters that combine real world studies and theories of finance to investigate a variety of topics. From corporate board gender diversity in India and the impact of labor rights on equity market returns globally, to environmental banking issues such as how green is green banking and whether country level and firm level governance quality influences bank sustainability performance, the authors address emerging and impactful concerns in the world of finance. Research in Finance provides a collection of quality research articles that reflect the current and primary issues in financial markets. Contributions include finance theory and financial practice, plus accounting issues such as reporting derivatives positions, reflecting intangible holdings, or predicting financial distress.

In this special issue of Research in Finance, editors Rita Biswas and Michael Michaelides compile eleven papers, five of which were selected from the II International Conference on Economics and Finance (ICEF-II) in Bengaluru, India. This volume focuses on a gamut of topics ranging from monetary policy to corporate governance in emerging economies. More specifically, it presents papers on the role of board characteristics and sub-committees on firm performance, the impact of US quantitative easing on countries like India and China, public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects in India, and multinational banking evolution in Nigeria and India. In order to advance the field of international economics and finance, it is necessary to question conventional practice and research approach. Incorporating analysis of classical theories of international finance and economics, the papers in this volume present new innovative theories that seek to do just that. They are essential reading for researchers interested in development economics and emerging finance.