A disclosure index to measure the quality of annual reporting by museums in New Zealand and the UK
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the reporting practice of leading museums in New Zealand (NZ) and the UK to develop a museums' performance accountability disclosure index.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reports a study of annual reporting by 16 museums in NZ and the UK. Because of the unique nature of the industry the disclosure index uses a framework which draws on the balanced scorecard (BSC). The BSC provides a link between internal reporting of key performance issues and the need of a community organisation to report to the public.
Findings
Overall, the quality of reporting in each country is found to be of a similar standard. The strongest parts of reports are those dealing with internal processes and objectives, and the weakest are those reporting on learning and growth.
Originality/value
Museums are a key repository of tangible cultural heritage of huge intrinsic value both to the community now, but of more importance to future generations. However, the performance and accountability of this sector is basically without research or commentary, and this paper addresses this deficiency.
Keywords
Citation
Ling Wei, T., Davey, H. and Coy, D. (2008), "A disclosure index to measure the quality of annual reporting by museums in New Zealand and the UK", Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 29-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/09675420810886114
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited