Lankan Professor co-edits Scopus Q1 International Finance Volume honouring legendary scholar

Thursday, 23 July 2026 00:02 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

 


 

Professor Narayanage Jayantha Dewasiri 

  • Emerald Publishing Releases Review of Finance Literature – Volume 6 with CiteScore 8.4
  • The book brings together internationally recognised scholars to synthesise contemporary knowledge and identify future research directions in finance 

Sri Lanka has added another milestone to its global academic achievements with the publication of Review of Finance Literature – Volume 6, an internationally recognised scholarly volume published by Emerald Publishing. 

The book is indexed in Scopus (Q1) and SCImago Journal Rank (Q1), with an impressive 2025 CiteScore of 8.4, reflecting its significant scholarly impact and international standing. The publication is believed to be the first-ever finance book edited by a Sri Lankan academic to be indexed in both Scopus (Q1) and the SCImago Journal Rank (Q1), achieving an outstanding 2025 CiteScore of 8.4.

The volume is co-edited by Professor Narayanage Jayantha Dewasiri of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, together with Professor H. Kent Baker (American University, USA), Professor Jitender Kumar (Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, India), and Dr. Shubham Singhania (FORE School of Management, India).

As the sixth volume in Emerald Publishing’s prestigious Review of Management Literature series, the book brings together internationally recognised scholars to synthesise contemporary knowledge and identify future research directions in finance.

 

A tribute to Professor H. Kent Baker

 

The publication carries profound emotional significance, as it was completed during Professor H. Kent Baker’s passing, an internationally renowned finance scholar whose work transformed the fields of behavioural and corporate finance. Ranked among the world’s top 1% of finance scholars by the Journal of Finance, Professor Baker was celebrated not only for his exceptional research achievements but also for his generosity as a mentor to researchers worldwide. 

The editors dedicated the volume to his memory through a special preface titled “In Memory of Professor H. Kent Baker.” The tribute acknowledges Professor Baker’s extraordinary academic legacy, unwavering commitment to research excellence, and his remarkable mentorship that inspired generations of scholars across the globe.

Professor Dewasiri noted that Professor Baker was not only a distinguished co-editor but also an exceptional mentor whose guidance, generosity, and scholarly vision profoundly influenced the development of the Review of Finance Literature series.

A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Finance

The volume comprises 11 comprehensive review chapters covering some of the most significant and emerging areas in global finance, including:

  • Asset-based mutual fund performance 
  • Loan portfolio diversification in banking 
  • Financial news and stock market volatility 
  • Microfinance 
  • Sustainability-oriented investor activism 
  • Climate risk and financial stability 
  • Women’s financial literacy 
  • Forensic accounting 
  • Corporate governance in family firms 
  • Non-performing loans 
  • Financial inclusion 
  • Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Union Green Taxonomy 

Among these contributions is a chapter co-authored by Professor Dewasiri titled “Non-Performing Loans: An Integrative Review of Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Trends Through Bibliometric and Systematic Analysis,” highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing contribution to international finance scholarship.

Global collaboration with lasting impact

The volume reflects a successful collaboration among researchers from leading universities across Asia and North America. Beyond synthesising existing knowledge, the publication identifies research gaps, proposes future research agendas, and serves as a valuable reference for academics, doctoral researchers, policymakers, and finance professionals worldwide.

According to Professor Dewasiri, the objective of the series is to consolidate fragmented knowledge, provide evidence-based insights into emerging areas of finance, and facilitate the development of impactful future research.

 

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s global research reputation

 

Professor Dewasiri’s role as co-editor of this internationally recognised publication further reinforces Sri Lanka’s growing presence within the global research community. His contribution demonstrates the increasing involvement of Sri Lankan academics in leading international publishing initiatives and high-impact scholarly collaborations.

Published by Emerald Publishing, Review of Finance Literature – Volume 6 represents an important addition to the finance literature and is expected to become an essential reference for researchers, postgraduate students, policymakers, and practitioners seeking a comprehensive understanding of contemporary developments in banking and finance. The publication further highlights Sri Lanka’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to global knowledge creation while showcasing the country’s academic excellence on the international stage. For more information about the publication, readers may visit the official Emerald Publishing page: https://www.emerald.com/books/edited-volume/21518/Review-of-Finance-Literature 

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