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A research report submitted In partial fulfilment of the Degree: Master of Commerce School of Accountancy 2015 / Using an exploratory interpretive research approach and IFRS 13 as a case study, this thesis investigates the factors which affect the decision to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards. Detailed interviews with a sample of some of South Africa’s preparers’ of financial information and audit managers are used to gain an understanding of what factors influence companies, other than those in the financial services sector, to adopt early IFRS 13. The research findings are particularly significant as very little interpretive research has been performed on financial reporting from a South African perspective. In addition, the research performed to date has primarily considered the adoption of IFRS as a whole rather than a particular standard within IFRS. In addition, the fact that IFRS 13 has only recently been released offers an invaluable opportunity to study how current international accounting developments are being internalised by South African corporates. Through the interview process it was determined that the majority of the interviewees did not elect to early adopt IFRS 13. As a result, the rationale of the decision to not early adopt IFRS 13 was discussed and explored. It was found that technical constraints - such as the need to provide staff training and the requirement to provide additional accounting disclosure – discouraged the early adoption of the standard. Factors such as the effect of adoption on earnings, decisions made by competitors as well as the relevance of the standard to business operations were also considered as part of this decision. Overall, the interviewees showed a logic of resistance towards the standard and the standard setters which is manifested, not by misapplication of the standard, but by dismissing its ability to provide more useful information to users of financial statements and delaying its adoption.

The establishment of corporate objectives regarding economic, environmental, social, and ethical responsibilities, to inform business practice, has been gaining credibility in the business sector since the early 1990’s. This is witnessed through (i) the formation of international forums for sustainable and accountable development, (ii) the emergence of standards, systems, and frameworks to provide common ground for regulatory and corporate dialogue, and (iii) the significant quantum of relevant popular and academic literature in a diverse range of disciplines. How then has this move towards greater corporate responsibility become evident in the provision of major urban infrastructure projects? The gap identified, in both academic literature and industry practice, is a structured and auditable link between corporate intent and project outcomes. Limited literature has been discovered which makes a link between corporate responsibility; project performance indicators (or critical success factors) and major infrastructure provision. This search revealed that a comprehensive mapping framework, from an organisation’s corporate objectives through to intended, anticipated and actual outcomes and impacts has not yet been developed for the delivery of such projects. The research problem thus explored is ‘the need to better identify, map and account for the outcomes, impacts and risks associated with economic, environmental, social and ethical outcomes and impacts which arise from major economic infrastructure projects, both now, and into the future’. The methodology being used to undertake this research is based on Checkland’s soft system methodology, engaging in action research on three collaborative case studies. A key outcome of this research is a value-mapping framework applicable to Australian public sector agencies. This is a decision-making methodology which will enable project teams responsible for delivering major projects, to better identify and align project objectives and impacts with stated corporate objectives.

In the last few years, the inefficiencies of the current corporate reports have become increasingly evident. With increasing engagement in mindful business practices, firm value goes beyond just the financial capital. It is important to consider the environmental, social and governance impacts of operating activities. However, the corporate reporting landscape in the United States of America still lags behind in integrating its information. This paper recognizes the need for corporate reporting to evolve to the Integrated Reporting method. This is followed by an explanation of the benefits and improvements that Integrated Reporting can bring to published information and decision making through its multiple capital model and the guiding principles. This is followed by an analysis of an Integrated Report produced in the United States to shed light on the lack of consolidation with IR in the U.S. In comparison, we will look at an exemplary Integrated Report to understand how implementation of IR Framework has benefited reporting entities in other parts of the world. This paper attempts to bring to the attention the dwindling pace of the U.S. entities in keeping up with corporate reporting trends, why this is potentially problematic and what needs to be done to improve the corporate reporting atmosphere in the U.S. for the benefit of organizations as well as their stakeholders.

Yes / This paper, using data from 100 UK listed firms, investigates the relationship between audit committee characteristics and intellectual capital (IC) disclosure. We find that overall IC disclosure is positively associated with audit committee characteristics such as the size and frequency of meetings, and negatively associated with audit committee directors’ shareholding. We find no significant relationship between IC disclosure and audit committee independence and financial expertise. We also observe that the association between audit committee characteristics and IC disclosure varies with the IC components (i.e. human capital, structural capital and relational capital), suggesting that the underlying factors that drive various components of IC disclosure are different. These results have important implications for policy-makers in that they confirm that the effectiveness of audit committees in the corporate reporting processes is a function of certain characteristics.

Nos últimos anos nota-se uma preocupação crescente das empresas com responsabilidade empresarial e desenvolvimento sustentável. A divulgação dos resultados por meio da publicação de relatórios de desempenho ambiental, de sustentabilidade e/ou balanços sociais pode demonstrar eficiência e melhorar as relações com as diversas partes interessadas. A publicação de estudos sobre a utilização de relatórios de sustentabilidade no setor de mineração contribui indiretamente para fomentar a evolução dessa prática nas empresas e contribuir para a melhora da imagem da mineração. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar de que modo tem-se dado a evolução dos relatórios de sustentabilidade publicados pelas empresas do setor de mineração. Foi desenvolvido um roteiro de avaliação dos relatórios, baseado em referências internacionais de boas práticas e na literatura sobre o tema. A avaliação foi feita somente em termos de atendimento ou não a 62 requisitos ou tópicos que deveriam idealmente constar de relatórios de sustentabilidade de empresas desse setor. Os requisitos foram agrupados nas seguintes categorias: Contexto e compromissos, Gestão, Desempenho econômico, Desempenho social, Desempenho ambiental e Acessibilidade e garantia. O roteiro foi aplicado a 35 relatórios preparados entre 1997 e 2006 por cinco grandes empresas multinacionais do setor de mineração. A hipótese de evolução na qualidade e na abrangência dos relatórios foi confirmada com uma tendência positiva. A alta média das pontuações totais dos relatórios analisados e a alta porcentagem de apresentação de informações recomendadas para o setor mostram o esforço dessas empresas na identificação de riscos e resposta às partes interessadas. As seis categorias de informação analisadas mostraram resultados diversos, tanto em pontuação obtida quanto à tendência de evolução A categoria que recebeu as melhores pontuações foi \"Contexto e Compromissos\" enquanto a que recebeu as menores notas foi \"Acessibilidade e Garantia\". O método de avaliação mostrou-se eficaz para a avaliar a abrangência ou completude dos relatórios. Nas empresas analisadas os processos de processos de publicação estão estabelecidos, e é possível não só continuar evoluindo para discussões mais profundas, como também compartilhar informações e lições aprendidas para difundir a prática em todo o setor. Passada a fase inicial de amadurecimento dos relatórios, é momento para as empresas avançarem nas suas práticas de divulgação, buscando atender às melhores práticas e expectativas das partes interessadas de uma maneira mais completa, atingindo o próximo patamar de qualidade em relatórios de sustentabilidade. / During last years companies have an increasing concern about corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Performance disclosure through sustainability, social or environmental reports can demonstrate efficiency and improve the relationship with stakeholders. Publishing researches about the usage of sustainability reports in mining sector can indirectly promote the evolution of this practice in companies and contribute to improve the public image of the sector. The goal of this research is investigating how sustainability reports are evolving in mining companies. A method was developed for reports assessment, based on international good practices and literature about sustainability reports. The assessment was made in terms of presence or not of 62 topics which ideally should be presented in sustainability reports of this sector. The topics were organized in the following categories: Context and Commitment, Management, Economic performance, Social performance, Environmental performance and Assurance and accessibility. The method was applied to 35 reports published between 1997 and 2006 by five big multinational mining companies. The assumption of evolution in report quality and completeness was confirmed, with a positive trend. A high mean of reports score as well as a high percentage of disclosing mining specific information show the effort of these companies in risk identification and response to stakeholders. It was noticed that the six information categories analyzed presented different results, both in adherence to the developed framework and in evolution trend. The category which had the highest score was \"Context and Commitments\" while the category which had the lowest scores was \"Assurance and accessibility\". The assessment method was efficient to assess comprehensiveness or completeness of reports. The reporting process is established in the companies analyzed, and it is possible to keep evolving with orientation to deeper issues, as well as sharing information and lessons learned to disseminate good practices in the mining sector. Beyond the initial phase of reporting, it is time for companies to improve their reporting processes by complying with all best practices available and responding to stakeholders\' expectations in a more comprehensive way, reaching the next level of quality in sustainability reporting.

Nos últimos anos nota-se uma preocupação crescente das empresas com responsabilidade empresarial e desenvolvimento sustentável. A divulgação dos resultados por meio da publicação de relatórios de desempenho ambiental, de sustentabilidade e/ou balanços sociais pode demonstrar eficiência e melhorar as relações com as diversas partes interessadas. A publicação de estudos sobre a utilização de relatórios de sustentabilidade no setor de mineração contribui indiretamente para fomentar a evolução dessa prática nas empresas e contribuir para a melhora da imagem da mineração. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar de que modo tem-se dado a evolução dos relatórios de sustentabilidade publicados pelas empresas do setor de mineração. Foi desenvolvido um roteiro de avaliação dos relatórios, baseado em referências internacionais de boas práticas e na literatura sobre o tema. A avaliação foi feita somente em termos de atendimento ou não a 62 requisitos ou tópicos que deveriam idealmente constar de relatórios de sustentabilidade de empresas desse setor. Os requisitos foram agrupados nas seguintes categorias: Contexto e compromissos, Gestão, Desempenho econômico, Desempenho social, Desempenho ambiental e Acessibilidade e garantia. O roteiro foi aplicado a 35 relatórios preparados entre 1997 e 2006 por cinco grandes empresas multinacionais do setor de mineração. A hipótese de evolução na qualidade e na abrangência dos relatórios foi confirmada com uma tendência positiva. A alta média das pontuações totais dos relatórios analisados e a alta porcentagem de apresentação de informações recomendadas para o setor mostram o esforço dessas empresas na identificação de riscos e resposta às partes interessadas. As seis categorias de informação analisadas mostraram resultados diversos, tanto em pontuação obtida quanto à tendência de evolução A categoria que recebeu as melhores pontuações foi \"Contexto e Compromissos\" enquanto a que recebeu as menores notas foi \"Acessibilidade e Garantia\". O método de avaliação mostrou-se eficaz para a avaliar a abrangência ou completude dos relatórios. Nas empresas analisadas os processos de processos de publicação estão estabelecidos, e é possível não só continuar evoluindo para discussões mais profundas, como também compartilhar informações e lições aprendidas para difundir a prática em todo o setor. Passada a fase inicial de amadurecimento dos relatórios, é momento para as empresas avançarem nas suas práticas de divulgação, buscando atender às melhores práticas e expectativas das partes interessadas de uma maneira mais completa, atingindo o próximo patamar de qualidade em relatórios de sustentabilidade. / During last years companies have an increasing concern about corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Performance disclosure through sustainability, social or environmental reports can demonstrate efficiency and improve the relationship with stakeholders. Publishing researches about the usage of sustainability reports in mining sector can indirectly promote the evolution of this practice in companies and contribute to improve the public image of the sector. The goal of this research is investigating how sustainability reports are evolving in mining companies. A method was developed for reports assessment, based on international good practices and literature about sustainability reports. The assessment was made in terms of presence or not of 62 topics which ideally should be presented in sustainability reports of this sector. The topics were organized in the following categories: Context and Commitment, Management, Economic performance, Social performance, Environmental performance and Assurance and accessibility. The method was applied to 35 reports published between 1997 and 2006 by five big multinational mining companies. The assumption of evolution in report quality and completeness was confirmed, with a positive trend. A high mean of reports score as well as a high percentage of disclosing mining specific information show the effort of these companies in risk identification and response to stakeholders. It was noticed that the six information categories analyzed presented different results, both in adherence to the developed framework and in evolution trend. The category which had the highest score was \"Context and Commitments\" while the category which had the lowest scores was \"Assurance and accessibility\". The assessment method was efficient to assess comprehensiveness or completeness of reports. The reporting process is established in the companies analyzed, and it is possible to keep evolving with orientation to deeper issues, as well as sharing information and lessons learned to disseminate good practices in the mining sector. Beyond the initial phase of reporting, it is time for companies to improve their reporting processes by complying with all best practices available and responding to stakeholders\' expectations in a more comprehensive way, reaching the next level of quality in sustainability reporting.

The aim of my thesis is to demonstrate the potential of eXtensible Business Reporting Language in the field of corporate reporting and data exchange. XBRL is still little known in the Czech Republic; that is why the first part of the work focuses primarily on the explanation of the basic principles on which this language is founded. Further, the functionality of applications for working with XBRL will be described, followed by an analysis of the benefits that this language can bring to its users. The thesis also covers various approaches that the reporting companies can use when implementing XBRL and analyzes the areas suitable for the introduction of XBRL in the Czech Republic. The last part of the work describes the practical experience with the creation and subsequent use of XBRL instance documents.

Over the last decade, awareness of sustainability issues has increased and changed the information needs of investors. This development is also reflected in a transition of corporate reporting – the increase in the importance of sustainability reporting in addition to traditional financial reporting. However, the changed information needs are not yet met by reporting companies. Therefore, this paper-based dissertation comprises four manuscripts dealing with the transition of corporate reporting. Overall, this dissertation contributes toward a more refined understanding of the changed needs to support practitioners and regulators in the transition process of corporate reporting.

Abstract This dissertation provides a comprehensive picture of IFRS adoption from the perspective of preparers of accounting information in a continental European context. The dissertation examines the differences between IFRS and continental European accounting and analyses whether these differences influence and have implications for accounting and controlling practices and, if so, in what ways. The dissertation, therefore, presents case studies on accounting and controlling practices and develops theoretical explanations for these practices. This dissertation develops theoretical explanations of why and how business becomes involved in accounting (or accounting and business come closer to each other) and identifies different ways in which business becomes involved in accounting. Moreover, the dissertation provides insights into the implications of business involvements for accounting and control practices at three different levels, i.e. organisation, accounting function and individual accountants. In more general terms, this dissertation provides evidence of how financial accounting becomes more horizontal and has implications for both accounting and control practices. On the one hand, the dissertation examines management across two worlds, i.e. accounting and business, and focuses on the role of boundary objects used to mediate different worlds. On the other hand, the dissertation highlights learning at the boundaries and shows how boundary crossing was used as a strategy to fulfil the requirements of financial and corporate reporting. Finally, the dissertation argues that, rather than describing financial accounting and corporate reporting purely as a vertical process, we should pay attention to the lateral processing of information as required by the standards as well as the needs of management. / Tiivistelmä Tämä väitöskirja tarjoaa laajan kokonaiskuvan IFRS-standardiston käyttöönottoon tilinpäätösinformaation laatijan näkökulmasta. Tutkimus tarkastelee käyttöönottoa ja laatijan näkökulmaa erityisesti mannereurooppalaisessa kontekstissa. Tutkimus analysoi niin kutsutun mannereurooppalaisen normiston ja IFRS-standardiston välisiä eroja sekä näiden seuraamuksia laskenta- ja kontrollikäytäntöihin. Tutkimus tarjoaa tapaustutkimuksia laskenta- ja kontrollikäytännöistä sekä löytää ja kehittää teoreettisia selityksiä näille käytännöille. Tutkimus löytää teoreettisen selityksen sille, miksi ja miten liiketoiminta on läsnä raportoitavan informaation laatimisessa tai miksi liiketoiminnan johtaminen ja raportoitavan informaation laatiminen lähenevät toisiaan. Lisäksi tutkimus identifioi eri tapoja sille, miten liiketoiminta on läsnä informaation laatimisessa. Tutkimus tarjoaa tietoa liiketoiminnan läsnäolon seuraamuksista laskenta- ja kontrollikäytäntöihin kolmella eri tasolla: yrityksen, taloushallinnon funktion sekä taloushallinnon henkilöstön tasolla. Tämä väitöskirja osoittaa, miten tilinpäätösraportointi tulee IFRS-standardiston käyttöönoton myötä horisontaalisemmaksi ja miten tällä on seuraamuksia laskenta- ja kontrollikäytäntöihin. Tutkimus analysoi kahden maailman, ts. laskennan ja liiketoiminnan, välistä johtamista ja keskittyy rajaobjektien roolien tarkastelemiseen. Lisäksi tutkimus korostaa rajavyöhykkeellä tapahtuvaa oppimista ja osoittaa, kuinka rajanylitystä käytetään täyttämään sekä tilinpäätösraportoinnin että yhtiöiden sisäisten raportointien tarpeet. Tämä tutkimus osoittaa, että tilinpäätösraportoinnin ja yhtiötason raportoinnin horisontaalisiin piirteisiin tulisi kiinnittää huomiota sen sijaan, että ne kuvattaisiin puhtaasti vertikaalisina prosesseina. Tutkimus osoittaa, että sekä tilinpäätösstandardit että yhtiön johdon tarpeet vaativat raportoinnilta lateraalisia prosesseja.