The central thesis defended here is that we can have truth and objectivity in accounting. We do not contend that this potential is presently realized: On the contrary, we argue that certain contradictions immanent to capitalism give rise in late modernity to crisis tendencies in financial accounting as a way of knowing - epistemological crisis. We do contend that accounting's tendencies to epistemological crises can, at least in theory, be overcome. We begin to defend this view by considering accounting as an essentially descriptive activity. The account given by the philosopher Donald Davidson of the very possibility of knowledge is used to justify the view that intersubjectivity is all the foundation we need, or can have, for objectivity, and to defend out claim that we can have accounting knowledge, that is, true accounts/descriptions of an objective and intersubjectively accessible public world. The defence here is against those theorists, including those inspired by certain strands of the phenomenological, (post)structuralist and hermeneutic traditions, who would deny the possibility of any such objectivity in accounting. Using an analysis of the history and debate surrounding the issue of accounting for deferred tax in the United Kingdom (UK), we endeavour to locate accounting in terms of the dichotomy the philosopher Bernard Williams draws between science and ethics. We find that the descriptive and normative are inextricably entangled in accounting concepts in much the same way as they are entangled in thick ethical concepts such as 'chastity' or 'courage'. We recognise that the descriptive aspect of accounting can not be neatly distinguished from the normative and dealt with separately. Furthermore, following Williams, we argue that difficulties associated with the objective validation of the normative dimension of thick accounting concepts renders knowledge held under them vulnerable to destruction by reflection.

In this study, I empirically examine the valuation and value relevance characteristics of specific consolidation and segment-disaggregated corporate financial information. On the consolidation level, I investigate the relationships (in terms of value relevance and pricing) between the UK firms’ equity market values and the firm-level contemporaneous equity book values, earnings and dividends. The objective here is identify and explore factors and contexts that impact on the value relevance and pricing of consolidated financial statement information reported by UK publicly traded firms over the period from 1987 to 2002. On the segmental level, the study capitalises on the insights gained from the consolidated level findings and investigates (i) whether financial information, on specific geographic and line-of-business segments’ operations of a cross-section of UK multi-segment firms, is associated with the equity market value of the entire firm (i.e., value relevant); (ii) whether such operations are being differentially priced (by the stock market) into the equity market value of the firm; and (iii) how the factors/contexts affecting value relevance and pricing of the firm-level accounting fundamentals impact on the value relevance and pricing of the segment-level results. Additionally, this study provides further empirical evidence on the adequacy of the UK segment reporting accounting standard SSAP 25, and the quality of segment disclosures in the UK. The employed valuation model represents a fusion of valuation frameworks developed in earlier studies [e.g., Edwards and Bell (1961), Peasnell (1981, 1982), Ohlson (1989, 1995), Rees (1997), Garrod and Rees (1998), Wysocki (1998)]. On the consolidated-level, the model expresses the size-deflated equity market value of the firm as a linear function of size-deflated equity book value, earnings for ordinary, dividends for ordinary shareholders and additional control/dummy variables. In the segment-level analysis, the earnings variable is further disaggregated into its segment-level elements. With regard to the firm-level analysis, the study uncovers a range of contexts and factors that affect the value relevance and pricing of specific accounting value drivers. Among these are: the sign of reported earnings and book values; whether the firm trades at a premium/discount to its book value; the economic periods; the dividend status of the firm; diversification profile of the firm; and the industrial affiliation of the firm. In addition, the firm-level analysis indicates that the industrially diversified firms have lower valuation than the focused firms, while the geographically diversified firms have higher valuation than the domestic firms.

The purpose of the thesis is to explore the empirical relevance of the theory of financial liberalisation in the Mauritian context. After confronting the conflicting views in the literature, the changes that have taken place in the financial sector in terms of monetary policy and the institutional developments are examined. The study shows that government has played a role in boosting financial intermediation before liberalisation and that it has still a role to play after liberalisation. It also explains the measuresta ken to improve financial stability. The high concentration in both the banking and insurance sectors are also discussed. The thesis finds no evidence of an increase in real interest rate after liberalisation or any consequential improvement in domestic savings as suggested by the liberalisation theories. Further external liberalisation has not led to a drop in real interest rate and increased savings. Some minor episodes of banking and stock market crises have been identified. The research also examines the links between interest spread after liberalisation, fund cost and market share and the results tend to support the proposition that there is unidirectional causality from market share to interest spread. No significant change in share market size, liquidity and activity has been observed after liberalisation and the collective investment schemes have not yet indicated signs of ability to considerably mobilize savings and hence to boost the security market. There is evidence of a slow down of the financial deepening process as the liquidity ratio M2 Y exceeds 65%. Financial deepening is not found to be positively i related to real interest rate. This applies not only to Mauritius but equally to some other countries of the region. Although the evidence does not support the McKinnon and Shaw predictions concerning interest rate and mobilization of savings, yet there has been freer access to credit after liberalisation and the study has shown that private sector credit as a share of GDP is positively related to economic growth and that there is bidirectional causality between them. With respect to corporate financing the study shows that the behaviour of listed firins is consistent with the pecking order theory of finance and that the listed companies are now more sensitive to external financing for the acquisition of physical investment, in relation to their internal growth strategy.

The prohibition of insurance as specified in the conventional business model has led to Takaful being established for the Muslim community to fulfil their accountability/obligations towards Allah. The absent of a contract in Takaful, a replacement of the conventional sale contract in insurance has resulted in the emergence of Muamalah contracts as a basis for contractual structures and this bear the minimum acceptable requirement of Shariah. The attainability of such contractual structures to be used in Takaful had been unstable in the sense that it needs various reviews, and this has occurred precisely because it has been laden with both Shariah compliance and operational issues detaching the contracts from its original Shariah and economic substances. This research explores how the governance of Takaful in Brunei considered and adapted unstable contractual structure for Takaful operation inciting the divergence from the fundamental principles of Shariah. The main objective of the research is to explore the governance of Takaful in Brunei. The research seeks to identify and analyse the factors that influence the adaption of the Takaful contractual structure, examine the logics behind the current governance framework, and investigate the disclosure of information and financial reporting of Takaful. It utilizes the interpretive approach and this is supported by qualitative research methods in the form of interviews, participant observation and document review. The thesis also uncovers the causal factors of the necessity to adapt unstable contractual structure, and this in turn raises the concern of how Takaful is governed. In this work neo institutional theory of institutional isomorphism is used to identify these factors and the manner in which they influence the adaption process. In addition, the logical reference exhilarating the governance framework of Takaful is examined through the lens of institutional logic theory to understand why it has not been possible to alleviate concerns surrounding the adaption of the contractual structure. The analysis also extends to unravel the core logics of governance driving Takaful disclosure and financial reporting. Empirical findings show that the Brunei government has been the main driving factor in terms of adapting the current contractual structure during the initial creation of Takaful in Brunei. Ironically conventional insurance has been used to define the boundaries for structuring the contractual model for Takaful to replace conventional insurance model. Other factors at the macro (e.g. government influence), meso (e.g. the industry) and micro (e.g. between the companies and within each company) levels have also influenced the current contractual structure through the main three forces: coercive (e.g. government enforcement), normative (e.g. Legal Framework) and mimetic (e.g. following other Takaful operators). Decoupling the substance of the contract and actually implementing it is masked by the Shariah governance responsible for approving the individual contracts without evaluating the whole business structure from the Shariah perspective. The business and Shariah logics are the main dominance of Takaful governance frame of reference. Separation between these two logics served as sustainable force for its ability to reflect the compliance status desired by the industry. This creates trust in governance and an environment of adhering to Shariah in good faith. Disclosure and financial reporting decisions are driven by the regulatory, market and Shariah logics, where the regulatory logic dominates the mandatory disclosures. Finally, in evaluating these factors that influence the governance of Takaful in Brunei the thesis offers options of how to improve the contractual structure and addressing concerns thereof.

No description available.

The mandatory adoption of IFRS2 and its equivalent FAS123R (Share-Based Payment) presented a radical change in financial reporting of Share-Option Based Compensation (SOBC). Both IASB and FASB adopted the view that disclosure is not an adequate substitute for recognition; consequently, all SOBC transactions ultimately lead to expense recognition, measured at the grant-date fair value of SOBC. This thesis identifies and evaluates the major financial reporting implications of alternative reporting methods of accounting for SOBC across a global context and over different time periods for pre and post adoption of IFRS2/FAS123R. It explores two key research questions using an international sample of US and EU banks over the period (2004-2011). The first research question aims to identify, analyse, compare and evaluate the total effect of the compulsory adoption of IFRS2/FAS123R, on selected banks’ performance measures. Underpinned by equity valuation and agency theories, the second question aims to assess the extent to which the mandatory recognition approach to expensing SOBC provides more value relevant information that better reflects the incentive properties of such rewards than the disclosure approach. The findings show that the expensing of SOBC has resulted in modest and statistically significant negative effects on both US and EU banks’ selected financial performance measures with the impact being more likely to be higher in the US banking sector. The reported modest impact does not reflect earlier research estimations indicating that concerns and criticism of the implementation of IFRS2/FAS123R are largely unsubstantiated. The results also indicate that the recognition regime to expense SOBC is significantly more value relevant and better reflects the intangible value attributable to such rewards, relative to the disclosure regime. The influence of the differences in the financial reporting contexts on the intangible value attributable to SOBC is less burdensome after the mandatory adoption of IFRS2/FAS123R.

This thesis examines factors which may explain content variation in sell-side analysts’ reports. There are two main objectives: (i) to ascertain whether the extent of accounting information contained in these reports varies with firm and analysts’ characteristics; and (ii) to examine whether the tone and readability of the reports vary with analysts’ incentives to produce optimistic research. Based on a sample of 288 reports on 144 S&P 500 firms, the first objective was addressed using a manual content analysis to examine accounting themes, while the second objective was addressed using automated content analysis based on context-specific and user-defined wordlists. The empirical results indicate that the extent of use of accounting information in analysts’ reports varies across firm characteristics but such variation only partly reflects its relevance for valuation as suggested by the value relevance literature. Moreover, analysts’ incentives are influential as reports issued by analysts employed by investment banking firms or those in possession of the Chartered Financial Analysts qualification contain more references to forward-looking accounting information. Patterns of strategic reporting are also identified, as analysts employed by investment banking firms issue less readable reports compared to analysts employed by independent research firms following the same company. Further, readability is lower when the reports are less optimistic, indicating a tendency to obfuscate bad news through more complex reporting. Overall the findings are consistent with an impression management perspective as it reveals that content of analysts’ reports may not be entirely objective but influenced by analysts’ incentives to promote the companies covered. The thesis contributes to extant literatures on the relevance of accounting information, content of analysts’ reports, analysts’ bias and impression management. Moreover, the findings have policy implications as they speak to the concern about the relevance of accounting information and highlight the need to consider the subjective influences and the role of analysts’ incentives. Additionally, policy intervention on analysts’ bias should extend beyond recommendations and earnings’ forecast and consider the largely unregulated nature of the narrative content of the reports.

This research is concerned with international Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) by global banks targeting a Jordanian audience. The main research question addressed in this work is concerned with adaptation versus standardisation of international IMC by global banks. The aim of the research is to establish whether the standardised IMC approach is sufficiently effective when targeting Jordanian customers or whether adaptation of the IMC mix is necessary. A mixed methodological approach has been used consisting of qualitative in depth interviews and a more quantitatively based sample survey. Semistructured interviews were conducted with bank managers. Likewise, a survey instrument in the form of questionnaires were sent to the clients through bank management because of the confidentiality issues. The purpose of the research is to answer the standardisation versus adaptation question with the intention of deriving specific, operationally useful suggestions for IMC improvements for global banks operating in Jordan. The problems and weaknesses identified in current IMC policies used by global banks in Jordan are identified and suggestions for future marketing communications improvements made. These weaknesses and suggestions are integrated into a conceptual model. The managerial implications of adapting the suggestions made are examined and discussed. The weaknesses identified, suggestions made to overcome them and the managerial implications of implementation make an important and original contribution to the subject area from both a practical and conceptual point of view. The findings of the research strongly indicate that significant adaptation is required in order for the IMC approach by global banks to be effective. The findings should be specifically relevant to global banks operating in Jordan but may have relevance to other international companies from different sectors operating in or wishing to operate in Jordan.

Auditing has grown considerably recently but this growth has not been impeded by steady criticism, misgivings and discussions concerning the worth of the auditing function and audit report communication. A great deal of such criticism and discussion typically emerge following major financial scandals and company collapses such as the crash of Enron, Arthur Andersen, not only in countries that suffered from such corporate collapses, but also in countries that have never experienced such crises. This criticism is attributed to the fact that this serious problem is referred to as the “Audit Expectation Gap”. Consequently, the “expectation gap”, has been investigated by various scholars in order to examine its occurrence in numerous countries such as the USA and the UK; nevertheless, the scope of such gap has not been explored in many emerging economies such as that of Libya. The main aim of carrying out this research study is to explore and examine the development and current state of auditing in Libya, and the possible existence of an expectation gap in auditing in economic transition conditions in one of the less developed countries, namely Libya. To realise the research objectives and to respond to the research questions, mixed research methods were applied. A questionnaire was conducted with the general auditing bureau, private auditors, financial statement preparers, lenders and private investors, aimed at investigating the existence of an audit expectation gap and the effectiveness of audit report communication in Libya. 270 questionnaires were gathered. The questionnaires were followed by 15 semi structured interviews to gain an understanding of the gap the reasons behind the existence of an audit expectation gap. The outcomes of this study reveal that the Libyan accounting and auditing framework is not properly developed. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the lack of the accounting and auditing principles has resulted in flaws in the accountability and responsibility of external auditors. Moreover, the findings of both the questionnaire and the interviews evidently indicate that the audit expectation gap (which contributes to the reasonableness gap and deficient standards gap) exists in the Libyan private sector with respect to a certain number of auditing issues. These encompass auditors and the auditing process, audited financial statements, and the audited company, together with prohibitions and regulations in the audit milieu. Also, an expectation gap (a deficient standards gap) was detected especially related to the purpose of an audit, the responsibility factor, assurance of future feasibility, and the utility of decision making processes. On the other hand, it is proposed that the present audit report is not a wellunderstood document whereas it is surprising to find out that one of the unqualified audit report communication factors examined in this study – the reliability of the financial statements – appears obviously to be communicated in the audit report; both groups were unsure pertaining to this matter as – on average – their responses displayed uncertainty’ relating to the reliability issue. These findings have significant implications for the Libyan Authorities regarding the actions that should be considered to bridge the gap. Reducing the gap may need to develop the Libyan auditing profession and increase the utility of the audit report as the main source for taking investment decisions.

Whistle-blowing has garnered widespread attention in many countries, including the U.K. Whistle-blowing has been seen as one of the most effective ways to cater with illegal and unethical practices in organisations. Whistle-blowing describes the action of a worker disclosing (internally or externally) questionable practices, from within an organisation, to the parties that can take remedial actions. Nevertheless, whistleblowing is a risky action where the worker might lose his/her job for making the disclosure. In the early years of whistle-blowing practice, not much whistle-blowing protection legislation has been introduced. In the U.K. whistle-blowing protection legislation, known as the Public Interest Disclosure Act, was only enacted in 1998. Since then, various amendments to the Act have been made to give better protection to whistle-blowers. Many other policies have been introduced by policy makers in an effort to encourage whistle-blowing practice. Nevertheless, it is still an action that an individual might be disinclined to undertake. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence internal auditors in the U.K. to blow the whistle. Seven individual-level, independent variables (attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, perceived behavioural control, self-efficacy, organisational professional conflict and awareness of the whistle-blowing protection legislation) are examined for their relationship with the dependent variable (intention to blow the whistle). Moral intensity is examined for its moderating effect on the relationships that exist between the seven independent variables and the dependent variable. Multiple regression analysis found positive and significant relationships involving six independent variables and the dependent variable. The six independent variables are attitude, injunctive norm, perceived behavioural control, self-efficacy, organisational-professional conflict and awareness of whistle-blowing protection legislation. The moderated multiple regressions found significant moderating effects of moral intensity in a relationship between injunctive norm and whistle-blowing intention, and descriptive norm and whistle-blowing intention. Overall, the findings suggest that, individual-level variables also play significant role in determining internal auditors’ intention to blow the whistle. Relative to individuallevel variables, organizational-level and situational level variables have received much attention among researchers in the past. Therefore, the findings suggest that future researches should also put emphasis and consideration on individual-level variables along with organizational and situational level variables in their future work. Also, intention to whistle-blow among internal auditors in the U.K. is high especially in a scenario involving a wrongdoing that may harm public safety than in scenario involving falsified invoices and collusion and tiers of hierarchy. The spirit of whistle-blowing can be infused if more efforts were taken by government, media and many other parties. The efforts include promoting the encouragement for whistle-blowing and institutionalise effective whistle-blowing policies and procedures in organizations.