209,170 research outputs found
A characteristics framework for Semantic Information Systems Standards
Semantic Information Systems (IS) Standards play a critical role in the development of the networked economy. While their importance is undoubted by all stakeholdersâsuch as businesses, policy makers, researchers, developersâthe current state of research leaves a number of questions unaddressed. Terminological confusion exists around the notions of âbusiness semanticsâ, âbusiness-to-business interoperabilityâ, and âinteroperability standardsâ amongst others. And, moreover, a comprehensive understanding about the characteristics of Semantic IS Standards is missing. The paper addresses this gap in literature by developing a characteristics framework for Semantic IS Standards. Two case studies are used to check the applicability of the framework in a âreal-lifeâ context. The framework lays the foundation for future research in an important field of the IS discipline and supports practitioners in their efforts to analyze, compare, and evaluate Semantic IS Standard
Business reporting: how transparency becomes a justification mechanism
This paper contributes to the discussion of the present status and future scenarios of business reporting by conducting a thorough review and analysis of state-of-the-art of the authoritative business reporting literature and also a set of specifically formulated models for voluntary reporting. By analyzing the chosen business reporting models with respect to 14 generally acknowledged themes, the paper contributes to the understanding of the myriad of arguments that are mobilized in the debate on the future of corporate reporting. Based on a qualitative content analysis of nine purposively selected business reporting models, the analysis illuminates and characterizes the argumentation for supplementary reporting. The paper posits some interesting points in connection with the motives for improving corporate reporting practices. A dichotomy between reliability through normalization and relevance through linking disclosure to value creation is emphasized. As transparency is in the eye of the beholder, the process of developing corporate reporting practices must be concerned with reaching a common understanding and agreement between producers and consumers of such disclosures. Transparency is perceived as both a key objective and outcome of comprehensive business reporting. However, the concept of transparency seems to be an empty concept merely constituting a justification mechanism for actual behaviour, i.e. that disclosure instead is driven by the signalling value for the individual company of disclosing a piece of voluntary information.No keywords;
The use of intellectual capital information by sell-side analysts in company valuation
This paper investigates the role of intellectual capital information (ICI) in sell-side analystsâ fundamental analysis and valuation of companies. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, it penetrates the black box of analystsâ valuation decision-making by identifying and conceptualising the mechanisms and rationales by which ICI is integrated within their valuation decision processes. We find that capital market participants are not ambivalent to ICI, and ICI is used: (1) to form analystsâ perceptions of the overall quality, strengths and future prospects of companies; (2) in deriving valuation model inputs; (3) in setting price targets and making investment recommendations; and (4) as an important and integral element in analystâclient communications. We show that: there is a âpecking orderâ of mechanisms for incorporating ICI in valuations, based on quantifiability; IC valuation is grounded in valuation theory; there are designated entry points in the valuation process for ICI; and a number of factors affect analystsâ ICI use in valuation. We also identify a need to redefine âvalue-relevantâ ICI to include non-price-sensitive information; acknowledge the boundedness and contextuality of analystsâ rationality and motives of their ICI use; and the important role of analystâclient meetings for ICI communication
Strategic I/O Psychology and the Role of Utility Analysis Models
In the 1990âs, the significance of human capital in organizations has been increasing,and measurement issues in human resource management have achieved significant prominence. Yet, I/O psychology research on utility analysis and measurement has actually declined. In this chapter we propose a decision-based framework to review developments in utility analysis research since 1991, and show that through lens of this framework there are many fertile avenues for research. We then show that both I/O psychology and strategic HRM research and practice can be enhanced by greater collaboration and integration, particularly regarding the link between human capital and organizational success. We present an integrative framework as the basis for that integration, and illustrate its implications for future research
The future of corporate reporting: a review article
Significant changes in the corporate external reporting environment have led to proposals for fundamental changes in corporate reporting practices. Recent influential reports by major organisations have suggested that a variety of new information types be reported, in particular forward-looking, non-financial and soft information. This paper presents a review and synthesis of these reports and provides a framework for classifying and describing suggested information types. The existence of academic antecedents for certain current proposals are identified and the ambiguous relationship between research and practice is explored. The implications for future academic research are discussed and a research agenda is introduced
Top management team and board attributes and firm performance in the Netherlands
We survey the evidence on the relationship between board and top management team
attributes and firm performance in the Netherlands (sample of 94 listed firms). To
this aim we develop hypotheses by using sources from the strategic management and
the corporate governance literature. Dutch corporations generally have a two-tier
board system. We use the size of the top management team (TMT) and their average age
as well as the size of the supervisory board (RVC) and the percentage of outside members
as attributes of corporate performance. Our base model consists of two performance
indicators: a composite financial accounting measure (of ROA, ROS, and ROE) and a market-
based indicator (standardized stock prize increase). Control variables are: log of total
assets as an indicator of the size of a firm, leverage and adjusted cash flow/total assets
as indicators of financial structure, coefficients of variation of sales and ROA as measures
of environmental uncertainty (dynamics), and diversification as a measure of risk-spread.
In general, we conclude for the year 1996, that by using the base model, direct linear and
non-linear relationships between the TMT/board variables and performance are not existent.
Also, the interaction effects with environmental dynamics as a moderating variable are tested.
From this analysis it becomes evident that, although environmental uncertainty has a clear
direct relationship with performance, it has no significance as a moderating variable. Only
in one case the interaction with size of the board leads to a significant result. Indicating
(instead of the hypothesized inverted U-shaped relationship) a U-shaped relationship between
RVC and performance.
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Inclusive governance in non-profit organisations
The study of private non-profit enterprises that offer general interest services is only at the start. The understanding of existing organisations resists an inclusive, public interest view of governance. This contribution aims at providing a reflection on specific features that non-profit enterprises should have, and outlines four main justifications for including stakeholders in production governance: 1) access to knowledge and other resources, 2) trust creation, 3) internal efficiency, 4) external efficiency. Conclusions elaborate on Hansmannâs classic theory of the firm to suggest that governance solutions need to be assessed on the basis of total costs, considering also the lower level of social costs that is created when governance includes relevant stakeholders. Our model highlights that when social costs are high, even an enterprise with costly decisional processes, such as the multi-stakeholder, can be the most efficient solution amongst other possible alternatives
Strategic accounting: revisiting the agenda
Rapid changes in the external environment of organisations have been accompanied by calls
for accountants to change the nature of information they provide, the skills they possess and
the role they play in the organisation. The proposed changes, which are encapsulated under
the phrase accounting for strategic positioning or strategic management accounting are two
pronged. On one hand accountants are required to reposition themselves in the organisation
hierarchy where they will be involved in the formulation, implementation and choice of
strategies. Accountants are also being urged to adopt a range of techniques whose
emphasis is futuristic and external to the firm especially emphasizing the importance of
monitoring customers and competitors. A review of the literature has revealed that while
considerable effort has been put into the development of rational techniques for proposed use
less has gone into whether, how and with what effect the proposed techniques have been
implemented in organisations and society. The literature has adopted an uncritical approach
to the proposals for a strategic accounting, providing little insight into how the discourse of
strategy has come to occupy such a position of centrality in organisations and society with
other functions seeking to be branded âstrategicâ
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