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1 – 10 of 17Tracy Artiach, Helen Irvine, Janet Mack and Christine Ryan
The purpose of this paper is to strengthen the theoretical understanding of the processes through which a new regulator seeks to gain legitimacy within an existing regulatory…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to strengthen the theoretical understanding of the processes through which a new regulator seeks to gain legitimacy within an existing regulatory space. The authors do this by investigating the case of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC).
Design/methodology/approach
Synthesising legitimacy theory with the concept of regulatory space, the authors analyse formal public discourse surrounding the establishment and operations of the ACNC.
Findings
Regulation is essentially a context-bound political process in which a new regulator needs to establish legitimacy to ensure its survival. It must convince its constituents that it has developed processes to operate effectively and professionally in addressing constituents’ needs, to bargain authoritatively with other regulators in establishing its operational boundaries, and to engage politically with government and constituents. Over a relatively short time, the ACNC built legitimacy, despite the political threats to its formal regulatory authority.
Research limitations/implications
The conclusions are based on the analysis of one case. There is scope for further investigations of the processes by which new regulators establish their legitimacy in different contexts.
Practical implications
The potential for a political threat to the authority of a new regulator, and the difficulty of achieving regulatory reform, particularly in a federated system such as Australia, highlight the necessity for a new regulator to develop a compelling discourse of legitimacy.
Originality/value
The authors synthesise regulatory space and legitimacy perspectives, contributing to an understanding of the processes of regulation.
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Neeveditah Pariag-Maraye, Teerooven Soobaroyen, Oren Mooneeapen and Oorvashi Panchoo
This study investigates non-government organisations' (NGO) current accounting and reporting practices in a developing economy context (Mauritius) and argues the case for reforms…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates non-government organisations' (NGO) current accounting and reporting practices in a developing economy context (Mauritius) and argues the case for reforms to enhance their transparency and accountability.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis of a sample of NGO annual returns was carried out followed by interviews with NGO officers and actors on the state of accounting and reporting practices in Mauritius. The authors analyse the data from a public accountability perspective.
Findings
The content analysis revealed poor accounting and reporting practices by Mauritian NGOs. Based on interview insights, the authors find that these poor practices arise due a lack of (1) NGO-specific accounting standards, (2) engagement with narrative reporting, (3) properly trained NGO officers and (4) proper monitoring and control. Some of the interviewees expressed their support for introducing online filing systems and accounting requirements that are commensurate with NGO size, improving regulatory oversight, while ensuring that NGO accounts are made available to the public.
Originality/value
While there are many calls for better NGO accountability and transparency in developing economies, little is known about the state of accounting and reporting mechanisms (and regulatory framework thereof) that could provide the basis for relevant reforms towards enhancing accountability. Considering the opacity of NGO information in Mauritius and recent concerns about money laundering practices and the perceived ineffectiveness of regulatory oversight, this first national assessment of accounting and reporting practices sheds light on current challenges and formulates locally appropriate recommendations for the sector.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the work attitudes of native Chinese employees and to identify and resolve current problems challenging human resource management.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the work attitudes of native Chinese employees and to identify and resolve current problems challenging human resource management.
Design/methodology/approach
With an empirical design and the data collected from 991 employees of nine companies located in Guangdong, China, this research analyzes the present status of work attitudes through job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The main analytical path bases on comparing differences among demographic groups, and particularly between employees in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and privately‐owned enterprises (POEs).
Findings
First, it was found that employees overall show a higher level of job satisfaction and a lower level of organizational commitment; second, employees with older age and lower education tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment; third, employees in POEs have a higher level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment than employees in SOEs.
Research limitations/implications
In order to yield broader conclusions, further empirical research should expand sampling to other areas and other ownership‐type enterprises in China. Moreover, more work‐related attitudinal variables, such as social value and corporate culture, should be included in the future studies regarding work attitudes.
Practical implications
In general, the management in native Chinese enterprises needs to pay more attention to the impact of employees' demographic variables on work attitudes. Specifically, SOEs have an imperative need of heightening employees' job satisfaction and organizational commitment so as to compete with POEs.
Originality/value
While filling a gap in the existing literature of the subjects being studied, this paper provides constructive suggestions in practice.
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Helen Irvine and Christine Ryan
The purpose of this paper is to examine charity regulatory systems, including accounting standard setting, across five jurisdictions in varying stages of adoption of International…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine charity regulatory systems, including accounting standard setting, across five jurisdictions in varying stages of adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, and identifies the challenges of this process.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a regulatory space approach, this paper relies on publicly available archival evidence from charity regulators and accounting standard setters in five common‐law jurisdictions in advanced capitalist economies, all with vibrant charity sectors: the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Findings
The study reveals the importance of co‐operative interdependence and dialogue between charity regulators and accounting standard setters, indicating that jurisdictions with such inter‐relationships will better manage the transition to IFRS. It also highlights the need for those jurisdictions with not‐for‐profit or charity‐specific accounting standards to re‐configure those provisions as IFRSs are adopted.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to five jurisdictions, concentrating specifically on key charity regulators and accounting standard setters. Future research could widen the scope to other jurisdictions, or track changes in the jurisdictions longitudinally.
Practical implications
This paper provides a timely international perspective of charity regulation and accounting developments for regulators, accounting standard setters and charities, specifically of regulatory responses to IFRS adoption.
Originality/value
The paper contributes fresh insights into the dynamics of charity accounting regulation in an international context by using regulatory space as an organising framework. While accounting regulation literature provides a rich interpretation of regulatory issues within the accounting arena, little attention has been paid to charity accounting regulation.
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Nick Sciulli and Desi Adhariani
It is 10 years since the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) was founded and the development of the IIRC Framework has been adopted by thousands of organisations…
Abstract
Purpose
It is 10 years since the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) was founded and the development of the IIRC Framework has been adopted by thousands of organisations. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the motivation for the preparation of integrated reports from a diffusion of innovation (DOI) perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Three case study organisations operating in distinct industry sectors are investigated to ascertain the motivation for the adoption of integrated reporting. DOI theory was adopted as the theoretical lens to guide the research design. An interpretative approach is used to ascertain common themes from an analysis of semi-structured interview transcripts of senior managers and directors.
Findings
The findings from these case studies support the main tenets of DOIs theory. The evidence suggests that senior executive leadership plays a significant role in commencing the integrated reporting “journey”. This study finds evidence of DOI characteristics, such as relative advantage, compatibility and observability with respect to the objectives of senior managers. The main motivations for the production of the integrated report were to demonstrate leadership and innovation to stakeholders, overcome the perceived inadequacies of the disclosures required for traditional annual reports, to enhance transparency and to satisfy the changing demands of investors and other stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications
This project captures the perceptions and views of preparers of the integrated report rather than its users. In addition, only three case study sites were investigated, therefore, generalisations would be spurious.
Practical implications
Other organisations yet to consider the production of integrated reports or to re-assess their stakeholder relationships, could use these findings to plan for their own future reporting obligations.
Originality/value
The organisations investigated were a superannuation fund, a multinational company and a charity. All are recognised leaders in their respective industries.
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Steven Dellaportas, Jonathan Langton and Brian West
The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of senior accounting officers on governance, performance and accountability issues in the charity sector.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of senior accounting officers on governance, performance and accountability issues in the charity sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical data presented in this paper were collected via a mail‐out survey to Chief Financial Officers (CFO) of large charity organisations in Australia.
Findings
The executives surveyed agreed that the public is entitled to receive high quality financial disclosures from charities, favouring “programme accountability”, “fiscal accountability” and “profit” as relevant performance indicators rather than cash surplus/deficit. The respondents also considered that charities warrant a dedicated accounting standard but were less enthusiastic about an independent regulator with stronger control functions.
Research limitations/implications
The data in this study report the opinions of financial executives which may not represent the view of all managing executives.
Originality/value
While governance in charities has been examined previously from an organisational or management perspective, this is one of the few papers that emphasises how members of the accounting profession view this important topic.
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This study seeks to fill the gap in the existing literature regarding relationships among organizational learning, culture, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to fill the gap in the existing literature regarding relationships among organizational learning, culture, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in the Chinese context, particularly, in native Chinese enterprise settings.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on well‐defined western concepts and instruments, and statistical analysis of the data collected from 919 employees in nine companies located in Guangdong, China, this study adopted an empirical design.
Findings
There are positive interrelations among the three variables and, specifically, organizational learning culture serves as a predictor and job satisfaction serves a mediator.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to directly utilizing some commonly‐applied western theoretical frameworks and instruments, findings may not fully detect the cultural nuances in the Chinese employees; the narrowly geographically‐concentrated sampling may prevent generalization of findings to the broad Chinese context.
Practical implications
Companies should understand that nurturing organizational learning culture could result in a healthier workforce and better organizational outcomes.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this study serves as pioneer research for indigenizing the western constructs in the Chinese context, and it can fill a gap in the existing literature of the subjects being studied. Practically, this study has potential contributions to human resource management practice.
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David John Gilchrist, Dane Etheridge and Zhangxin (Frank) Liu
The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of earnings management in the Australian not-for-profit (NFP) disability service providers sector, as well as to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of earnings management in the Australian not-for-profit (NFP) disability service providers sector, as well as to understand the motivations for and implications of such practices. This research is important for stakeholders, such as members and funders, as well as the broader Australian community, considering the significant financial resources allocated to these organizations from the public purse.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ a longitudinal dataset containing financial data from 154 Australian NFP disability service providers, collected over a two-year period (2015–2016). Through the analysis of detailed balance sheets and income statements, the authors seek to uncover evidence of earnings management practices in this sector. The study’s results provide valuable insights into the behaviour of the charitable human services sector.
Findings
The findings reveal that Australian NFP disability service providers engage in earnings management practices, primarily aimed at reducing reported profits to meet the normative financial expectations of stakeholders, such as public sector funders and philanthropists. The executives of these organizations strive to report profits close to zero, being cautious not to report a loss, which might raise concerns about their sustainability.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the existing literature on earnings management in the NFP sector by focussing on Australian disability service providers, an area that has been under-researched due to a lack of suitable data. The results offer insights into the incentives and implications of earnings management practices in this sector and highlight the need for a revaluation of accounting standards, reporting requirements and audit arrangements applicable to the NFP sector.
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The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the non-profit sector, highlighting the issues that the narrowly focused, traditional conception of governance…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the non-profit sector, highlighting the issues that the narrowly focused, traditional conception of governance fails to address. The purpose of this paper is to propose a contingency-based framework with its theoretical underpinnings in the existing literature, in order to support future empirical research on non-profit governance and accountability practices.
Design/methodology/approach
From a theoretical perspective, this paper synthesizes relevant existing literature and proposes a contingency-based accountability and governance framework in the non-profit sector. This paper draws on Ostrower and Stone’s (2010) contingency-based framework on boards and Hyndman and McDonnell’s (2009) conception of governance systems. This paper engages with the New Zealand and Australia context while reviewing relevant literature and relevant regulations.
Findings
The global pandemic has caused severe worldwide disruptions both socially and economically. There have been dramatic changes to the ways in which non-profit organisations (NPOs) operate. There is an urgent need to understand how such changes in the external environment impact on NPOs’ governance and accountability practices. In this context, the contingency-based accountability and governance framework proposed in this paper has important implications for non-profit research, while opening up an avenue for future research in this field.
Research limitations/implications
This paper does not involve empirical analysis.
Practical implications
This paper contributes by facilitating better understanding on how external contingencies like the COVID-19 global pandemic affect the external and internal environment of an NPO, how they impact on stakeholders and their interplay with an NPO’s governance and accountability systems. It also suggests that regulators of the non-profit sector, umbrella support organisations, and funders proactively encourage and guide NPOs to embrace a wider scope of governance and strengthen the level of governance in the sector.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by proposing a contingency-based accountability and governance framework in the non-profit sector to support future research in this field. It also sheds light on competing theoretical debates relating to the conceptualisation and operationalization of accountability and governance.
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Helen Irvine and Christine Ryan
In the context of the Australian Government’s attempts to impose budget austerity measures on publicly funded universities in its higher education sector, the purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of the Australian Government’s attempts to impose budget austerity measures on publicly funded universities in its higher education sector, the purpose of this paper is to assess the sector’s financial health.
Design/methodology/approach
The multi-dimensional study is based on seven years of government financial data from all 39 publicly funded Australian universities, supplemented by information from universities’ annual reports. Using a financial health model that reflects vulnerability, viability and resilience, the authors examine sector data using a suite of metrics. The authors analyse differences between those universities in the Top 10 and Bottom 10 by revenue, as a window into the financial health of the sector at large.
Findings
While mostly financially viable, the sector shows signs of financial vulnerability, particularly in the areas of expense control and financial sustainability. Possibly in response to an uncertain funding environment, universities are managing long-term liquidity by growing reserves. Debt represents largely untapped potential for universities, while differences between the Top 10 and Bottom 10 universities were most evident in the area of revenue diversity, a strong predictor of financial viability.
Research limitations/implications
Focussing on a specific set of financial metrics limits the scope of the study, but highlights further research possibilities. These include more detailed statistical analysis of data, financial case studies of individual universities and the implications of revenue diversification on academic standards.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to higher education literature, providing empirical evidence of universities’ finances. It highlights the importance of universities’ financial resilience in an uncertain funding environment.
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