Professor Hussein Abdou

Professor

School: Newcastle Business School

Professor Hussein A. Abdou is Chair in Finance & Banking, and Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange at the Accounting & Financial Management Department within Newcastle Business School (NBS). Hussein’s academic background is in Finance and Banking, where he is widely published in highly impactful international peer reviewed journals, resulting of more than 50 journal articles. In addition to his academic prowess, Hussein demonstrates profound expertise in building scoring models for banks, FinTech advancements, applying AI and ML, Business Analytics, and evaluating software suites tailored for the U.S. financial sector. Hussein is an experienced Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the Higher Education Industry and Managing research and knowledge exchange activities. He is skilled researcher who freshly applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) modelling techniques and methodologies into Banking, Finance and Accounting research.

Before joining NBS, Hussein illuminated the role of the Faculty of Business & Justice Director of Research & Innovation and professor of Banking & Finance at UCLan. He also worked at The Manchester Metropolitan Business School where he was a Professor of Banking & Finance and RKE lead. Prior to that, he was a Professor of Finance and Banking, and Director of Graduate Education in The Huddersfield University Business School. He held various positions prior to joining Huddersfield, including a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader at the University of Salford Business School. He previously worked at The University of Plymouth Management School, where he completed his PhD in Banking and Finance; and Mansoura University, Egypt.

Hussein is particularly renowned for his groundbreaking work in Banking and Finance, covering diverse topics like credit scoring modelling techniques, risk management in financial institutions, Islamic banking and finance, and applications of non-parametric modelling techniques such as neural networks and genetic algorithms in banking and finance. His professional background is in building scoring models for banks in a number of developing and emerging markets including Egypt, Cameroon, Vietnam, Libya and India; FinTech advancement; and evaluating software packages for financial applications. He is also a professional trainer who has extensive experience in delivering professional training courses worldwide in various areas including FinTech; Business Analytics; Islamic Banking, Finance and Economics; Risk Management, Big Data Analytics in Banking and Finance; and Scoring Modelling Techniques. Extending his reach beyond research and academia, Hussein holds esteemed positions on several editorial boards and has showcased his research insights at numerous international forums/events across different countries, and He is the Editor of the Cogent Banking & Finance Section with the Taylor & Francis Group.

Hussein has extensive experience of teaching at all levels in higher education and has significant strengths in all relevant areas including curriculum development, module leadership, programme management and administration, team management, quality assurance, teaching, learning and assessment, innovation and reflective practice. His leadership skills have been ably demonstrated through the development and management of various modules and programmes. As a result, he has successfully developed both MSc Islamic Banking & Finance at Salford University, UK; and MSc Islamic Finance & Economics at Huddersfield University, and more recently MSc FinTech at MMU and UCLan.

At the core of his teaching philosophy lies the belief in comprehensive education. Hussein has taught a plethora of modules, catering to a wide audience ranging from undergraduates to professionals in banking, finance, and accounting. His teachings encompass pivotal areas like Risk Management, FinTech, Corporate Finance, Islamic Finance, Quantitative Finance, and Business Accounting, amongst others.

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Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Areas of Expertise:

Scoring Modelling Techniques; Financial Technology (FinTech); Big Data Analytics; Business Analytics; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Risk Management; Islamic Banking Performances.

Areas of Interest:

A global thought leader in banking and finance, Professor Abdou's research interests are vast, delving deep into:

Primary Research Interests:

- Credit scoring modelling techniques

- Fintech Advancement

- Credit risk management in financial institutions, especially applications of AL and ML e.g. neural networks and genetic programming in banking and finance

- Islamic banking and finance

Secondary Research interests:

- Capital structure, especially for financial institutions

- Corporate governance, especially in relation to banking risks and rating issues

- Value relevance of accounting information

DOCTORAL EXAMINING EXPERIENCE & RELATED ACTIVITIES

External examiner for a number of higher education institutions world-wide including, inter alia: Monash University, Australia; Universitat Bremen, Germany; Liverpool University, UK; Newcastle University; UK; Huddersfield University, UK; Plymouth University, UK; De Montfort University, UK; Leeds Beckett University, UK; Salford University, UK; Mansoura University, Egypt and Manouba University, Tunisia. Extensive MSc supervision, 100+; and PhD examination 35+.

DOCTORAL COMPLETION

April 2013 “The impact of financial and non-financial measures on banks’ financial strength ratings: the case of the Middle East”, Dr Wael AbdAllah, Salford University, Manchester, UK.
May 2013 “An investigation of employee and consumer perceptions of responsible internet gambling”, Dr James Mulkeen, Salford University, Manchester, UK.
March 2016 “Financial sector development, income inequality and human welfare in Sub Sahara Africa”, Dr Joseph Besong, Huddersfield University, UK.
April 2016 “An Investigation of Corporate Financial Reporting Practices in Libya: A Survey of Preparers’ and Users’ Perceptions and Extent of Disclosure”, Dr Abdalrhman Alnabsha, Huddersfield University, UK.
July 2016 “Evaluation and prediction of the efficiency of Islamic banks versus conventional counterparts: a global study”, Dr Ali Hayek, Huddersfield University, UK.
September 2017 “Environmental Factors and the Behaviour of Micro-Finance Institutions: A Global Study”, Dr. George Akomas, Huddersfield University, UK.
July 2018 “The effect of IFRS adoption on liquidity risk of Takaful companies: an international study”, Dr. Mariem Mejri, Manouba University, Tunisia.
May 2019 “Credit Risk, Corporate Governance and Banks Performance in Africa”, Dr. Simms Kyei, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
2021 “The Effect of Cognitive and Behavioural Biases on Investors' Decision Making: An Empirical Study on Egypt, UAE and U.K”, Dr Ghaydaa Gamal El Din, Huddersfield University, UK.
2023 “The relationship between the mandatory adoption of internal control regulation and earnings management: evidence from China, Dr Xi Song, LSB, University of Central Lancashire, UK.
2024 “Essays on Islamic Banks: Performance and Ratings” Dr Yasmine Abdelghaffar, University of Huddersfield, UK.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
The Impact of Oil and Global Markets on Saudi Stock Market Predictability: A Machine Learning Approach, Abdou, H., Elamer, A., Abedin, M., Ibrahim, B. 1 Apr 2024, In: Energy Economics
The role of cryptocurrencies in predicting oil prices pre and during COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning, Ibrahim, B., Elamer, A., Abdou, H. 1 Feb 2025, In: Annals of Operations Research
Corporate governance and earnings management nexus: Evidence from the UK and Egypt using neural networks, Abdou, H., Ellelly, N., Elamer, A., Hussainey, K., Yazdifar, H. 1 Oct 2021, In: International Journal of Finance & Economics
Would two-stage scoring models alleviate bank exposure to bad debt?, Abdou, H., Mitra, S., Fry, J., Elamer, A. 15 Aug 2019, In: Expert Systems with Applications
A variable impact neural network analysis of dividend policies and share prices of transportation and related companies, Abdou, H., Pointon, J., El-Masry, A., Olugbode, M., Lister, R. 1 Oct 2012, In: Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money

PGR Supervision

Asma Nasreen The Impact of AI Adoption on the Financial Performance of FTSE 100 companies Start Date: 01/10/2025

Further Information

Selected Publications:

Abdou, A. H., Elamer, A. A., Abedin, M. F., & Ibrahim, B. A. (2024) The impact of oil and global markets on Saudi stock market predictability: A machine learning approach, Energy Economics, Scopus Q1, ABDC A*; WoS Q1 (4*); ABS 3*; SJR 4* (Q1), forthcoming.
Markowski, L., Rutkowska-Ziarko, A., Abdou, H. A. (2024) Conditional CAPM relationships in standard and accounting risk approaches, The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Scopus Q2, ABDC B; WoS Q2 (3*); ABS 2*; SJR 3* (Q2), forthcoming.
Abdou, A. H., Ibrahim, B. A., Elamer, A. A., Alaskar, T. H., & Mohamed, M. A. (2023) Volatility contagion between Cryptocurrencies, gold and stock markets pre-and-during COVID-19: Evidence using DCC-GARCH and Cascade-Correlation Network, Financial Innovation – Scopus Q1, WoS Q1, SJR 4* (Q1), IF: 8.4, forthcoming.
Abdou, A. H., Akdeniz, O., Hayek, A., Elamer, A. Nwachukwu, J. & Pyke, C. (2023) Technical Efficiency in Banks: A Review of Methods, Recent Innovations and Future Research Agenda Review of Managerial Science, Review of Managerial Science - Scopus Q1, ABS 3*; ABDC, A; SJR 4* (Q1), forthcoming.
Abdullah, M., Abdou, H. A., Godfrey, C., Elamer, A. A. & Ahmed, Y. (2023) “Assessing the use of gold as a zero-beta asset in empirical asset pricing: Application to the US equity market”, Journal of Risk and Financial Management; SJR 3*(Q2); WoS 3*(Q2), 16(3), 204, pp. 1-48
Ibrahim, B. A., Elamer, A. A. & Abdou, H. A (2022) The role of cryptocurrencies in predicting oil prices pre and during COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning, Annals of Operations Research, Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR 4*(Q1),1-44, available online 28^th October 2022.
Mejri, M., Othman, H. B., Abdou, H. A. & Hussainey, K. (2022) Comparing the value-relevance of AAOIFI versus IFRS accounting numbers in the Takaful industry, Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, Scopus Q2; ABS, 1*; ABDC, B; SJR, 3*(Q2). Accepted November 2022.
Abdou, H. A., Ellelly, N. N., Elamer, A. A., Hussainey, K., and Yazdifar, H. (2021) Corporate governance and earnings management nexus: evidence from the UK and Egypt using neural networks, International Journal of Finance & Economics, Scopus Q2; ABS, 3*; ABDC, B; SJR 3*(Q2), 26(4), pp. 6281-6311.
Elamer, A. A., Ntim, C. G., Abdou, A. A., Owusu, A., Elmagrhi, M. and Ibrahim, A. E. A. (2021) Are bank risk disclosures informative? Evidence from debt markets, International Journal of Finance & Economics, Scopus Q2; ABS, 3*; ABDC, B; SJR 3*(Q2), 26(1), pp. 1270-1298.
Elamer, A., Nitm, C. & Abdou, H. (2020) “Islamic Governance, National Governance, and Bank Risk Management and Disclosure in MENA Countries”, Business & Society – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1)). Published Online: 09 Dec. 2017.
Elmagrhi, M. H., Ntim, C. G., Wang, Y., Abdou, H. A. & Zalata, A. M. (2020) Corporate Governance Disclosure Index-Executive Pay Nexus: The Moderating Effect of Governance Mechanisms.European Management Review – Scopus Q2; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1). 17(1), pp. 121-152.
Abdou, H. A., Shatarupa, M., Fry, J. & Elamer, A. A. (2019) Would two-stage scoring models alleviate bank exposure to bad debt?Expert Systems with Applications. Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1) – with an IF of 3.7). 1-13; Published Online: 15^th March 2019.
Elamer, A., Ntim, C., Abdou, H. & Pyke, C. (2019) ‘Sharia supervisory boards, governance structures and operational risk disclosures: Evidence from Islamic banks in MENA countries’ Global Finance Journal. Scopus Q1; ABS, 2*; ABDC, B; SJR 3*(Q2).
Elamer, A. A., Ntim, C. G., Abdou, H. A., Zalata, A. M. & Elmagrhi, M. (2019) The Impact of Multi-Layer Governance on Bank Risk Disclosure in Emerging Markets: The Case of Middle East and North Africa.Accounting Forum, Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1). 246-281; Accepted 13^th January, 2019.
Mulkeen J, Abdou, H., Leigh J. & Ward P. (2019) “Degree and Higher Level Apprenticeships: An Empirical Investigation of Stakeholder Perceptions of Challenges and Opportunities” Studies in Higher Education – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1), 44(2), pp. 333-346.First published online: 8^th September, 2017.
Alnabsha, A., Abdou, H., Nitm, C. & Elamer, A. (2018) “Corporate Governance, Ownership Structure and Corporate Disclosure Practices: Evidence from a Developing Country”, Journal of Applied Accounting Research – Scopus Q2; ABS, 2*; ABDC, C; SJR, 3*(Q2), 19(1), pp. 20-41.
Abdalla, A., Elsetouhi, A., Nagm, A-E. & Abdou, H. (2018) “Perceived person-organization fit and turnover intention in medical centers: The mediating roles of person-group fit and person-job fit perceptions.Personnel Review. – Scopus Q1; ABS, 2*; ABDC, A; SJR, 3*(Q2)). 47(4), pp.863-881. First published online 12^th October 2017.
Abdou, H., Abdallah, W., Mulkeen, J., Ntim, C. & Wang, Y. (2017) “Prediction of financial strength ratings using machine learning and conventional techniques”, Investment Management and Financial Innovations – Scopus Q2; ABS, 2*, ABDC, B; SJR, 2*(Q3)). 14(4), pp.194-211.
Elbakry, A., Nwachukwu, J., Abdou, H. & Elshandidy, T. (2017) “On the Value Relevance of Accounting Information in Germany and the UK”, Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 3*(Q2), 28, pp. 10-30.
Ntim, C., Lindop, S., Thomas, D., Abdou, H. & Opong, K. (2017) “Executive Director Pay and Performance in South Africa: The Moderating Effect of Corporate Governance”, International Journal of Human Resource Management – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1), pp. 1-43. Published online: 30 Jan 2017.
Abdou, H., Tsafack, M. D., Ntim, C. & Baker, R. (2016) “Predicting creditworthiness in retail banking with limited scoring data”, Knowledge-Based Systems - Scopus Q1; ABDC, A; SJR, 4*(Q1) with an IF of 4.5 and ranked 5^th worldwide), 103, pp.89-103.
Abdou, A. H., Muslim, O. & Ismal, R. (2014) “Risk Management Practices in the Republic of Yemen: Are Islamic banks different?”, Journal of Islamic Economics, Banking & Finance - ABS, 1*; ABDC, C, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 46-73.
Abdou, H. A., Alam, S., & Mulkeen, J. (2014) ‘Would credit scoring work for Islamic Finance? A neural network approach’, International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management – Scopus Q2; ABS, 1*; ABDC, C, SJR 2*(Q3) 7, no. 1, pp. 112-125.
Abdou, H., Pointon, J., El-masry, A., Olugbode, M. and Lister, R. (2012) ‘A variable impact neural net analysis of dividend policies and share prices in international shipping”, Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR, 3*(Q2)), vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 796-813.
Abdou, H., Kuzmic, A., Pointon, J. and Lister, R. (2012) ‘Determinants of Capital Structure in the UK retail Industry: A Comparison of Multiple Regression and Generalized Regression Neural Network’, Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management – Scopus Q1; ABS, 2*, SJR 1*(Q4), 19(3), pp. 151-169, 2012.
Serra, F., Pointon, J. & Abdou, H. (2012) ‘Factors Influencing the Propensity to Export: A Study of UK and Portuguese Textiles Firms’, J., International Business Review – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, A; SJR 4*(Q1), 21.no. 2, pp. 210-224.
Abdou, H. & Pointon, J. (2011) 'Credit Scoring, Statistical Techniques and Evaluation Criteria: A Review of the Literature', Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management - Scopus Q1; ABS, 2*, SJR 1*(Q4), vol. 18, no. 2-3, pp. 59-88.
Abdou, H. (2009) ‘Genetic Programming for Credit Scoring: The Case of Egyptian Public Sector Banks’, Expert Systems with Application – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, C; SJR, 4*(Q1), 36, no. 9, pp. 11402-11417.
Abdou, H. and Pointon, J. (2009) ‘Credit scoring and decision-making in the Egyptian public sector banks’, International Journal of Managerial Finance – Scopus Q2; ABS, 2*; ABDC, B; SJR, 3*(Q2), vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 391-406.
Abdou, H. (2009) 'An Evaluation of Alternative Scoring Models in Private Banking', Journal of Risk Finance – Scopus Q2; ABS 1*; ABDC, C; SJR, 1*(Q4), vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 38-53.
Abdou, H. Pointon, J. and El-Masry, A. (2008) ‘Neural Nets Versus Conventional Techniques in Credit Scoring in Egyptian Banking’, Expert Systems With Applications – Scopus Q1; ABS, 3*; ABDC, C; SJR, 4*(Q1), vol. 35, no. 3, 2008, pp. 1275-1292.

EDITORIAL WORK

Associate Editor of Cogent Banking & Finance Journal Section, Taylor & Francis Group.

Member of the Editorial Board for a number of international peer reviewed journals including: Advances in Knowledge-Based Systems, Data Science, and Cybersecurity; The Frontiers in Management Research; The Journal of Economics & Administration Science; The Journal of Financial Risk Management; The Journal of Money, Banking and Finance; The Global Islamic Finance Magazine; The International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management; The Journal of Banks & Bank Systems; and The Journal of Banking & Finance Letters.

Guest Editor for a special issue on Fintech & Blockchain, Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking – Bank Indonesia, October 2022.

My Community Impact is present as a reviewer in international Scopus/SJR/WoS/ABS Research venues such as Journal of Empirical Finance (Q1); The European Journal of Finance (Q2); Quantitative Finance (Q1); European Journal of Operational Research (Q1) Knowledge-Based Systems (Q1); Expert Systems with Applications (Q1); International Journal of Finance & Economics (Q2) Journal of Risk Finance (Q2); The Journal of Credit Risk (Q2); Studies in Higher Education (Q1). Reviewer for ESRC, and member of ESRC Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) assessment panel. External reviewer and marker for CIMA Certificate in Islamic Finance.

MEDIA COVERAGE

The impact of digitalization on the IFI in the UK, Al-Barak summit on ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF INTELLECT IN CREATING IMPACT’ London 12^th-13^th November 2022. https://twitter.com/albarakaforum/status/1591476637325201408?s=48&t=ZACTfxe3G6uC5AyBTr5Bmw;

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