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1 – 10 of over 1000Krishan M. Gupta and A. Gunasekaran
Faced with new wealth creation paradigm, triggered by technology and relentless globalization of markets, increasing number of companies are becoming knowledge‐based enterprises…
Abstract
Purpose
Faced with new wealth creation paradigm, triggered by technology and relentless globalization of markets, increasing number of companies are becoming knowledge‐based enterprises. This paper aims to discuss the change in enterprise environment; evolution of performance and cost measures; and the challenges for managerial accounting researchers and practitioners in developing value‐based costing and performance measurement systems (PMS).
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual discussion and approach are taken.
Findings
Internet and e‐commerce have changed forever the way companies conduct their businesses. Virtual enterprise and efficient supply chain management systems will shape the future of these enterprises. Organizations are trying to become agile enterprises with the help of strategic alliances of firms and integration using information technologies. Traditional performance and cost measures are no longer suitable for developing and managing enterprises in the so‐called new environment. In order to remain relevant and to add value, cost and performance measures must be designed and systematically evaluated to reduce the often‐unnoticed mismatch between strategic goals and operational tactics.
Research limitations/implications
Suggestions are presented for future research directions in managerial accounting areas that would address the requirements of new economy enterprises.
Originality/value
Alerts managerial accounting researchers and practitioners to develop new costing and PMS taking into account the new enterprise environment.
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Weizhi Meng, Duncan S. Wong and Lam-For Kwok
This paper aims to design a compact scheme of behavioural biometric-based user authentication, develop an adaptive mechanism that selects an appropriate classifier in an adaptive…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to design a compact scheme of behavioural biometric-based user authentication, develop an adaptive mechanism that selects an appropriate classifier in an adaptive way and conduct a study to explore the effect of this mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
As a study, the proposed adaptive mechanism was implemented using a cost-based metric, which enables mobile phones to adopt a less costly classifier in an adaptive way to build the user normal-behaviour model and detect behavioural anomalies.
Findings
The user study with 50 participants indicates that our proposed mechanism can positively affect the authentication performance by maintaining the authentication accuracy at a relatively high and stable level.
Research limitations/implications
The authentication accuracy can be further improved by incorporating other appropriate classifiers (e.g. neural networks) and considering other touch-gesture-related features (e.g. the speed of a touch).
Practical implications
This work explores the effect of adaptive mechanism on behavioural biometric-based user authentication. The results should be of interest for software developers and security specialists in deciding whether to implement such a mechanism for enhancing authentication performance on mobile phones.
Originality/value
The user study with 50 participants indicates that this mechanism can positively affect the authentication performance by maintaining the authentication accuracy at a relatively high and stable level. To the best of our knowledge, our work is an early work discussing the implementation of an adaptive mechanism on a mobile phone.
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Katharina Maria Hofer, Lisa Maria Niehoff and Gerhard A. Wuehrer
In this paper, we examine the elements of pricing approaches in export businesses and their performance in an international environment. The elements of pricing approaches consist…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, we examine the elements of pricing approaches in export businesses and their performance in an international environment. The elements of pricing approaches consist of cost-based, competitor-based, and value-based decisions made by different levels of management. By providing an integrated, holistic view, we investigate how different types of export-pricing strategies influence export performance, and which elements strengthen or attenuate the outcomes of strategic actions.
Methodology/approach
Using data from a survey of 172 export managers, we test our hypotheses in a two-step approach. First, we use an unsupervised approach to group the export companies and to validate the cluster solution internally and externally. Second, we test our hypotheses regarding export performance.
Findings
The results show that the types of export-pricing strategies are unequally distributed, and the elements of the strategies have different complexities. Export performance varies significantly by type of pricing orientation used.
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Anuradha Pandya, Wayne van Zijl and Warren Maroun
The objective of this research is to explore the challenges being encountered when applying and implementing fair value accounting requirements, focusing specifically on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this research is to explore the challenges being encountered when applying and implementing fair value accounting requirements, focusing specifically on the determination of fair value per International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 13: Fair value measurement (IFRS 13) in the South African capital market.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 20 detailed interviews, primarily with preparers and interpretively analysed to identify how individuals internalise the requirements of IFRS 13 and the challenges associated with its application. The researchers focus specifically on South Africa because of its status as a developing economy and, at the same time, its extensive experience in applying IFRS.
Findings
South African preparers appear reluctant to change from a conventional cost-based measurement approach to one grounded in fair value. Primary concerns include the perceived usefulness of fair value accounting and its conceptual appropriateness, given its perceived de-emphasis of the traditional stewardship role of financial reporting. Related challenges to the application of IFRS 13 include concerns about the cost of determining fair value; the inherent subjectivity of fair value measures and the practical difficulty of calculating fair values when markets are not efficient or where business environments are complex and dynamic where Level 1 inputs are not widely available for all assets and liabilities. These challenges encourage preparers to choose accounting policies, which minimise the use of fair value or apply the provisions of IFRS 13 legalistically.
Research limitations/implications
Data are collected from a group of respondents from a single developing economy. Additional research on the application of IFRS 13 in other developing markets will be required to conclude on the relevance of economic, cultural and social factors for the understanding and implementation of new accounting standards by practitioners.
Practical implications
Standard setters and regulators cannot assume that new accounting standards will be interpreted and applied as intended. Even when compliance with IFRS is mandatory, preparers have considerable discretion when it comes to operationalising accounting prescriptions. Unless the challenges raised by preparers are addressed, misapplication of IFRS is likely to continue.
Originality/value
The research makes an important empirical and practical contribution by providing primary evidence on the operationalisation of IFRS 13 in a novel setting. It complements earlier research which has focused primarily on the conceptual/theoretical dimension and on American and European perspectives.
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Total quality management is now a comprehensive management system. Yet many companies are still trying to combine TQM with an inappropriate performance measurement system to their…
Abstract
Total quality management is now a comprehensive management system. Yet many companies are still trying to combine TQM with an inappropriate performance measurement system to their own detriment. This article points out the dangers of overreliance on traditional financial and cost‐based measurement systems. The essence of the problem is that financial information does not focus on the client’s needs nor on whether the company is meeting them. The article then provides ten guidelines on how performance measurement systems have typically changed in companies that have successfully implemented TQM. These guidelines can be used by companies to identify weaknesses in their own performance measurement systems.
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Bingsheng Liu, Xin Lu, Xuan Hu, Ling Li and Yan Li
Measuring the performance of public participation is conducive to improving participation systems. However, such measurement, particularly in urban regeneration projects, is…
Abstract
Purpose
Measuring the performance of public participation is conducive to improving participation systems. However, such measurement, particularly in urban regeneration projects, is difficult because of the complex indicators and multiple stakeholders involved. The purpose of this paper is to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a perception difference-based method to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China. Specifically, an indicator system consisting of 12 indicators from three categories was first purposed. A perception difference-based method that integrates ANOVA test and Tukey test were then developed. The method was validated using five represented projects, and the results are interpreted based on a proposed measurement matrix.
Findings
Regardless of the type of indicator, the perception of the government aligns with the perception of private sector professions, however, deviates from the perception of citizens. By taking the mean score and the significance level among stakeholders of perception as two dimensions, different patterns of issues in the current participation practice in urban regeneration are manifested.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretically, the proposed indicator system and perception difference-based method combined to provide a holistic view of public participation, which is verified to provide a better measurement. Practically, the authors’ methodology helps in revealing issues in current participation practice and further leading to designing coping strategies. Nonetheless, the proposed method requires further validation in participation practices in China and other countries.
Originality/value
By considering the perception mean and the significance level as two dimensions, a public participation measurement matrix is proposed. The performance in different indicators are classified into four stages accordingly, namely idling, starting, running-in and accelerating.
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This is an edited text of the response submitted by the Financial Instruments Task Force of the Association for Investment Management and Research to the International Accounting…
Abstract
This is an edited text of the response submitted by the Financial Instruments Task Force of the Association for Investment Management and Research to the International Accounting Standards Board in response to the Joint Working Group Draft Standard and Basic Conclusions dated 22 December 2000. It provides a summation of all the great issues involved in the debate over accounting for financial instruments.
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The new draft standard on financial instruments will revolutionise financial reporting around the world. The author argues that because of the politics of accounting…
Abstract
The new draft standard on financial instruments will revolutionise financial reporting around the world. The author argues that because of the politics of accounting standard‐setting the recently promulgated draft standard will become the rule. This marks two great changes in global perception. First, it means that the principles behind accounting standards are aimed at providing investors with the ability to forecast the future. Second, it means that fair value will gradually take its place as the dominant measurement within accounts. This has severe consequences in the world of banking and financial institutions. The shape of the balance‐sheet will be changed for ever.
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Stan Kaczmarczyk and Judi Murtough
The workplace concept represents the convergence of three disciplines: Facilities management, information technology and human resources. Concepts such as knowledge work and human…
Abstract
The workplace concept represents the convergence of three disciplines: Facilities management, information technology and human resources. Concepts such as knowledge work and human capital drive the shift in professional focus from ‘place’ to ‘workplace’. The responsibilities of facility managers extend beyond operating issues to the more fundamental goals of providing highperforming and sustainable workplaces. Accordingly, the performance measurement paradigm must also be shifted from measuring facilities to measuring workplaces, using models and measures that recognise the importance and interdependence of facilities, information technology and human resources. This paper discusses initial efforts to measure innovative workplaces, provides an example of an organisation committed to providing its customers with innovative workplaces, and concludes that the measurement of innovative workplaces itself requires innovative and ‘out of the box’ techniques. New measurement paradigms are critical, however, not for ‘proving’ the case for the implementation of these innovative workspace solutions, but for evaluating and comparing evolving workplace approaches already under way.
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The issue of how banks should disclose the effects of financial instruments is fraught. The global standard‐setting community put forward their views in what became known as the…
Abstract
The issue of how banks should disclose the effects of financial instruments is fraught. The global standard‐setting community put forward their views in what became known as the Joint Working Group’s proposals. These aroused strong feelings in the banking world. This article is the first detailed response from the banking community. It argues for evolution of the rules rather than radical change.
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