45 research outputs found
From meticulous professionals to superheroes of the business world : a historical portrait of a cultural change in the field of accountancy
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative cultural shift from professionalism to commercialism in the accounting profession, based on an analysis of the promotional brochures used by the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Québec), over the last 40 years, to attract new members.
Design/methodology/approach
The study's specific objectives are: to examine accountancy's cultural representations depicted in promotional brochures; to evaluate the extent to which these representations are indicative of the commercialist shift as documented in the literature; and to establish whether the representations under study provide further insight into the nature of the cultural shift. Drawing on the semiotic approach developed by Roland Barthes, the authors' analysis is predicated on the idea that promotional brochures and advertisements, though often simple in appearance, constitute complex representations that convey meaningful information about influential values and cultural change.
Findings
The authors found that commercial values are increasingly apparent through the celebration of multidisciplinary services and the emphasis on generous compensation and high dynamism.
Originality/value
Barthes' framework was especially useful to analyze the interplay between images and text to gain insight into the historical emergence of what has become the accountant's representation of today. As such, this study points to promotional representations participating to the inculcation of a cosmopolitan culture, where the internationalization of business is supposedly natural, inevitable, and beneficial to everyone. The authors' research also highlights the increasingly significant role played by marketing experts in designing professional institutes' brochures, consistent with the broader view of marketization as a key trend within the accounting industry
From meticulous professionals to superheroes of the business world : a historical portrait of a cultural change in the field of accountancy
Purpose â The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative cultural shift from professionalism
to commercialism in the accounting profession, based on an analysis of the promotional brochures
used by the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec (Institute of Chartered Accountants of
Québec), over the last forty years, to attract new members.
Design/methodology/approach â The studyâs specific objectives are: (1) to examine accountancyâs
cultural representations depicted in promotional brochures; (2) to evaluate the extent to which these
representations are indicative of the commercialist shift as documented in the literature; and (3) to
establish whether the representations under study provide further insight into the nature of the
cultural shift. Drawing on the semiotic approach developed by Roland Barthes, our analysis is
predicated on the idea that promotional brochures and advertisements, though often simple in
appearance, constitute complex representations that convey meaningful information about
influential values and cultural change.
Findings â We found that commercial values are increasingly apparent through the celebration of
multidisciplinary services and the emphasis on generous compensation and high dynamism.
Originality/value â Barthesâ framework was especially useful to analyze the interplay between
images and text to gain insight into the historical emergence of what has become the accountantâs
representation of today. As such, our study points to promotional representations participating to
the inculcation of a cosmopolitan culture, where the internationalization of business is supposedly
natural, inevitable, and beneficial to everyone. Our research also highlights the increasingly
significant role played by marketing experts in designing professional institutesâ brochures,
consistent with the broader view of marketization as a key trend within the accounting industry
Intégration numérique d'équations de Schrodinger couplées en base adiabatique
Une mĂ©thode permettant la rĂ©solution des Ă©quations couplĂ©es en base adiabatique fait l'objet du prĂ©sent travail. Dans un premier temps un rappel est fait des diffĂ©rentes bases couramment utilisĂ©es en dynamique molĂ©culaire. La notion de base diabatique et adiabatique et de couplage adiabatique et non-adiabatique sont rappelĂ©s Ă partir de l'exemple de la sĂ©paration Ă©lectrons-noyaux au chapitre 2. Au troisiĂšme chapitre la mĂ©thode standard de NumĂ©rov est rappelĂ©e. Cette dĂ©rivation est ensuite adaptĂ©e pour tenir compte de termes de couplages additionnels du type non-adiabatique. Nous obtenons alors deux formes d'une nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration, l'une d'entre elle Ă©tant une gĂ©nĂ©ralisation de la mĂ©thode de NumĂ©rov. Cette mĂ©thode a la particularitĂ© d'ĂȘtre utilisable en base diabatique aussi bien qu'en base adiabatique. La nouvelle mĂ©thode est alors soumise Ă deux types de tests au chapitre 4. Elle est employĂ©e pour obtenir la fonction d'onde de deux systĂšmes de modĂšles Ă un canal. Ces systĂšmes sont le potentiel harmonique et le potentiel de Morse. Au chapitre 5 la mĂ©thode est utilisĂ©e pour calculer une mĂ©thode permettant la rĂ©solution des Ă©quations couplĂ©es en base adiabatique fait l'objet du prĂ©sent travail. Dans un premier temps un rappel est fait des diffĂ©rentes bases couramment utilisĂ©es en dynamique molĂ©culaire. La notion de base diabatique et adiabatique et de couplage adiabatique et non-adiabatique sont rappelĂ©s Ă partir de l'exemple de la sĂ©paration Ă©lectrons-noyaux au chapitre 2. Au troisiĂšme chapitre la mĂ©thode standard de NumĂ©rov est rappelĂ©e. Cette dĂ©rivation est ensuite adaptĂ©e pour tenir compte de termes de couplages additionnels du type non-adiabatique. Nous obtenons alors deux formes d'une nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration, l'une d'entre elle Ă©tant une gĂ©nĂ©ralisation de la mĂ©thode de NumĂ©rov. Cette mĂ©thode a la particularitĂ© d'ĂȘtre utilisable en base diabatique aussi bien qu'en base adiabatique. La nouvelle mĂ©thode est alors soumise Ă deux types de tests au chapitre 4. Elle est employĂ©e pour obtenir la fonction d'onde de deux systĂšmes de modĂšles Ă un canal. Ces systĂšmes sont le potentiel harmonique et le potentiel de Morse. Au chapitre 5 la mĂ©thode est utilisĂ©e pour calculer les rĂ©sonances d'un systĂšme de 2 canaux couplĂ©s reprĂ©sentant un processus de prĂ©dissociation. Les rĂ©sultats des calculs utilisant la nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration dans une base adiabatique sont comparĂ©s Ă ceux obtenu par la mĂ©thode standard et aux rĂ©sultats analytique lorsque disponible
Intégration numérique d'équations de Schrodinger couplées en base adiabatique
Une mĂ©thode permettant la rĂ©solution des Ă©quations couplĂ©es en base adiabatique fait l'objet du prĂ©sent travail. Dans un premier temps un rappel est fait des diffĂ©rentes bases couramment utilisĂ©es en dynamique molĂ©culaire. La notion de base diabatique et adiabatique et de couplage adiabatique et non-adiabatique sont rappelĂ©s Ă partir de l'exemple de la sĂ©paration Ă©lectrons-noyaux au chapitre 2. Au troisiĂšme chapitre la mĂ©thode standard de NumĂ©rov est rappelĂ©e. Cette dĂ©rivation est ensuite adaptĂ©e pour tenir compte de termes de couplages additionnels du type non-adiabatique. Nous obtenons alors deux formes d'une nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration, l'une d'entre elle Ă©tant une gĂ©nĂ©ralisation de la mĂ©thode de NumĂ©rov. Cette mĂ©thode a la particularitĂ© d'ĂȘtre utilisable en base diabatique aussi bien qu'en base adiabatique. La nouvelle mĂ©thode est alors soumise Ă deux types de tests au chapitre 4. Elle est employĂ©e pour obtenir la fonction d'onde de deux systĂšmes de modĂšles Ă un canal. Ces systĂšmes sont le potentiel harmonique et le potentiel de Morse. Au chapitre 5 la mĂ©thode est utilisĂ©e pour calculer une mĂ©thode permettant la rĂ©solution des Ă©quations couplĂ©es en base adiabatique fait l'objet du prĂ©sent travail. Dans un premier temps un rappel est fait des diffĂ©rentes bases couramment utilisĂ©es en dynamique molĂ©culaire. La notion de base diabatique et adiabatique et de couplage adiabatique et non-adiabatique sont rappelĂ©s Ă partir de l'exemple de la sĂ©paration Ă©lectrons-noyaux au chapitre 2. Au troisiĂšme chapitre la mĂ©thode standard de NumĂ©rov est rappelĂ©e. Cette dĂ©rivation est ensuite adaptĂ©e pour tenir compte de termes de couplages additionnels du type non-adiabatique. Nous obtenons alors deux formes d'une nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration, l'une d'entre elle Ă©tant une gĂ©nĂ©ralisation de la mĂ©thode de NumĂ©rov. Cette mĂ©thode a la particularitĂ© d'ĂȘtre utilisable en base diabatique aussi bien qu'en base adiabatique. La nouvelle mĂ©thode est alors soumise Ă deux types de tests au chapitre 4. Elle est employĂ©e pour obtenir la fonction d'onde de deux systĂšmes de modĂšles Ă un canal. Ces systĂšmes sont le potentiel harmonique et le potentiel de Morse. Au chapitre 5 la mĂ©thode est utilisĂ©e pour calculer les rĂ©sonances d'un systĂšme de 2 canaux couplĂ©s reprĂ©sentant un processus de prĂ©dissociation. Les rĂ©sultats des calculs utilisant la nouvelle mĂ©thode d'intĂ©gration dans une base adiabatique sont comparĂ©s Ă ceux obtenu par la mĂ©thode standard et aux rĂ©sultats analytique lorsque disponible
The future of interpretive accounting research: The contribution of McCracken's (1988) approach
Purpose â The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the polyphonic debate on the future of interpretive accounting research (IAR) by addressing the issues of cumulative knowledge and embedment of IAR in wider literatures. Design/methodology/approach â McCracken's method of inquiry, adapted to incorporate meso-level considerations, can be used to help resolve these issues. Accounting-related phenomena can be studied by first identifying the cumulative knowledge contributed by different theoretical perspectives that provides broad skeletal categories to be investigated in the context of an interpretive study. In addition, micro- and macro-level âexternalâ theories are incorporated in a global meso-level framework to provide a high-level lens to guide data generation and analysis, fostering the embedment of IAR in wider literatures. Findings â Meso-level research implies thinking organizationally and behaviourally, and thinking about linkage. By extension, it requires reflecting on the characteristics of the context in which the phenomenon occurs and the actors behave, the nature of the task or decision to perform, and possible links between macro- and micro-factors that help identify âexternalâ theories and frameworks that contribute to understanding the phenomenon. Research limitations/implications â The contribution of the suggested approach is highlighted in the context of financial accounting research. Reflexive accounts on the choice and use of a meso-level approach are presented, and the issue of appropriate balance between theoretical and empirical material is addressed. Originality/value â Creativity is fostered when cumulative knowledge about a specific phenomenon is embedded in wider meso-level theoretical perspectives, leading to the discovery of new insights about the topic under study and contributing to the advancement of knowledge.Accounting procedures, Accounting research, Research work
Framing accounting for goodwill: Intractable controversies between users and standard setters
Standard-setting institutions' user-oriented legitimacy management strategies: The Canadian case
Purpose â The objective of this paper is to critically examine the Canadian Accounting Standards Board's (AcSB) legitimacy management strategies directed toward financial statement users. Design/methodology/approach â Suchman's legitimacy typology is used as a lens through which the AcSB's legitimacy management strategies directed toward users are analyzed. The data sources consist of documentary public information available for the overall Canadian standard-setting process and for a sample of standard-setting projects. Findings â The results indicate that the AcSB devotes much more efforts to symbolic features and cultural accounts than to pragmatic concerns to ensure its legitimacy toward financial statement users. The legitimacy management strategies used mimic those in the USA and at the international level. Such an isomorphism contributes to the AcSB's cognitive legitimacy and overall cultural legitimacy. Research limitations/implications â Future research could assess a standard-setting institution legitimacy management strategies directed to other audiences such as preparers, auditors, or other groups that fall under a broader public interest umbrella. Practical implications â The results provide Canadian users with a general picture of the AcSB's efforts in their regard and invite them to be sceptical and critical about the so-called user perspective in standard setting. It also provides standard setters with a legitimacy framework that they can use to identify areas for improvement to enhance users' view of their legitimacy and to help them better fulfil their mission statement. Originality/value â This paper innovates by studying a standard-setting institution legitimacy management strategies directed toward a specific audience, financial statement users.Accounting standards, Canada, Financial reporting
IFRS: On the Docility of Sophisticated Users in Preserving the Ideal of Comparability
This paper questions the ideal of comparability, which is often mobilized by standard setters when justifying new - or 'improvement' to existing - accounting standards. The target of our analysis is constituted by the thoughts of sophisticated users of financial statements when reflecting about International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) implementation in Europe. Drawing on the work of Mary Douglas on purity and Michel Foucault on docility, it is argued and shown that sophisticated users tend to interpret aberrations - that is to say indications of incomparability which confront users in the flow of their professional lives - in ways that allow the ideal of comparability to be preserved. Important consequences ensuing from the docility of users in purifying aberrations are discussed.