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This study investigates the relationship between diverse ownership structures and the quality of governance in firms within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a follow-up to the work of Munisi (2020). The study sources annual report data on 104 firms from 2007 through 2019 from African financials and Machameratios databases for its analysis via both panel linear and non-linear regression models. The study finds that institutional ownership and foreign ownership structures enhance governance. On the other hand, block, family, management, and government ownership structures tend to have adverse effects on the quality of governance of firms in SSA. However, these adverse effects tend to be attenuated by the financial reporting regulatory framework for these firms. The current study extends the work of Munisi (2020) by providing fresh empirical evidence of the nuanced effects of several concentrated ownership structures on governance quality within SSA firms. It also provides novel theoretical insights using Foucault’s panopticon metaphor. The findings imply that governance reform efforts should consider diverse firm characteristics, particularly ownership structure, when formulating policies to improve governance in firms.

• Connection of panopticon theory to practice theory results in a novel model. • The model aides in assessing the dynamics of species-specific taboo systems. • Used rating process finds favorable social situations for tortoise conservation. • Taboos do not necessarily protect tortoises from outsiders' harmful practices. • Conservation practices may strengthen taboos and add components. Species-specific taboos are relevant to nature conservation, yet the relation of conservation with such social mechanisms and connected traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is underexposed in both conservation science and nature conservation practices. This paper researches taboos of the Mahafaly and Antandroy tribes in South and Southwest Madagascar in relation to the critically endangered radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata). We develop the idea that the collection of taboos denotes a 'panoptic' self-surveilling system, which we call a 'tortoise panopticon'. Theoretically, using performativity as a lens, we analyse the dynamic relation between practice and meaning in species-specific taboo systems, in the context of conservation management. Empirically, we define tortoise conservation potential and threats in the current state of the site-specific tortoise panopticon and the internal and external factors that shape it. This is particularly important in light of identifying favourable site locations for potential tortoise release. Based on (semi-)structured interviews with 282 Mahafaly and Antandroy respondents from 12 communes across 9 sites, we identify influential factors and components of the tortoise panopticon to measure its strength in each region and determine the extent to which favourable social situations for radiated tortoise conservation exists. Developing a connection between panopticon theory and practice theory, this paper presents a novel model that aides the assessment of the dynamics of species-specific taboo systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]