Determinants of social and environmental disclosures in Sri Lankan listed companies.

Social and Environmental disclosure is a recent trend of reporting practice of the firms which present not only the financial information but also the social information. Objectives of the study are to identify the extent and types of social and environmental disclosures of Sri Lankan public listed companies and examine the determinants of social and environmental disclosure of listed companies. By reviewing 296 companies’ annual reports published in recent year, out of them, 34% of (100) companies were selected by using proportionate stratified random sampling according to business sector as a sample to carry out the study. A checklist was prepared according to GRI guideline (version 3) to score the data. Descriptive statistics and Bivariate test were used to analyze the study. Overall results of the descriptive study illustrate that there is low level of social and environmental disclosure practice exists in Sri Lankan listed companies. Result of the correlation indicates that Age of the firm negatively correlated with social and environmental disclosure. While Firm Size, profit and leverage are week positively related with social and environmental disclosure. It is concluded that Firm Size, Profit, and Leverage determine the level of social and environmental disclosure. The findings from this research could provide relevant insights to the Sri Lankan listed companies

A study on management accounting practices in project management of Eastern Provincial Council

Management Accounting Practices (MAP) are expected by every organization from managerial level staff as they play a major role in decision making process in the dynamic world. Even though many projects were approved by Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) some projects are suspended due to several reasons. Therefore, the study attempts to examine the level of MAP adopted by managerial level staff in EPC. In addition, it is to identify significant differences regarding MAP adopted by staff in projects of EPC in terms of age, gender, designation, experience and educational qualification. The research framework of the study consists of six dimensions, which are cost accounting, budgeting, working capital, balance scorecard, total quality management and qualitative techniques, are used to measure the level of MAP. The study was conducted among 67 (entire population) managerial level staff of projects of EPC. Structured questionnaire was administrated to collect the data from the respondents. The collected data were analyzed by using univariate analysis (mean and standard deviation) and chi-square. The study reveals that there is a moderate level of MAP adopted by the managerial level staff in projects of EPC

SRI LANKAN CORPORATE VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING PRACTICES

Objectives of the study are to identify the extent and types of environmental disclosures of Sri Lankan public listed companies and to examine significance differences among the listed companies regarding the level of quality as well as quantity of environmental disclosures. The study employs legitimacy and stakeholder theories as the basis for explaining environmental reporting practices. By reviewing 284 companies annual reports published in 2012/2013, it was observed that 134 companies disclosed environmental information i.e. 47%. Out of them, 74% of (99) companies are selected by using proportionate stratified random sampling according to business sector as a sample to carry out the study. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used to analysis the study. Results of the study show that companies disclose more soft environmental information than hard environmental information. Moreover, it is noted that a statement of corporate environmental policy, values and principles, environmental codes of conduct is disclosed by 78 companies. Notably diversified companies disclose more environmental information. Next to that bank, finance and insurance companies disclose. Further, it is noted that diversified and bank, finance and insurance companies significantly differ from manufacturing and beverage food and tobacco companies regarding quality as well as quantity of environmental disclosures. The findings from this research could provide relevant insights both to the companies, the stakeholder and the regulators in order to devise ways and means on how to move forward. Keywords: Environmental reporting, GRI, Legitimacy theory, Stakeholder theory.For full Paper: [email protected]

AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE SECURITY CONTROLS OF COMPUTERIZED ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (CAIS) IN THE SELECTED LISTED COMPANIES IN SRI LANKA

The rapid development of IT, availability of user friendly accounting software and the increased competition have forced companies to adapt CAIS in order to remain competitive whereas threats to CAIS are unavoidable in the dynamic environment. In this scenario, security controls of CAIS are vital to the organizations. This study examines the existence and adequacy of implemented computerized accounting information system (CAIS) security controls to prevent, detect and correct security breaches in the selected listed companies in Sri Lanka. An empirical survey using a self-administered questionnaire has been carried out to achieve the objective. 41 out of 118 usable questionnaires have been collected to different types of companies representing 13 out of 20 sectors from 4th November to 10th December 2008. The results of the study spotlight a number of inadequately implemented CAIS security controls and significant differences among listed companies regarding the adequacy of implemented CAIS security controls. Based on the findings, some recommendations are given to strengthen the breaches in the present CAIS security controls in the listed companies. Findings of this study help accountants, auditors, managers, and IT users to better understand and secure their CAIS in order to achieve success of their visions. Keywords: Accounting, Computer security control, Information systems, Information TechnologyFor full paper: [email protected]

Impact of Quality of Accounting Information Systems on Organizational Effectiveness of Automobile Companies in Sri Lanka

Accounting Information System (AIS) is adopted as one of strategies to improve decision making process in the turbulent business environment. However, to enhance organizational effectiveness, which dimension of quality of AIS should be highly prioritized is still skepticism. Therefore, the study has three objectives, firstly, to identify the extent of quality of AIS of Automobile Companies in Sri Lanka. Secondly, to identify the extent of organizational effectiveness of automobile companies in Sri Lanka. Thirdly, to examine the impact of quality of AIS on organizational effectiveness of Automobile Companies in Sri Lanka. The Conceptual model has been developed by using three independent variables (system quality, information quality and service quality) and organizational effectiveness is the dependent variable. Accordingly, primary data has been collected by distributing questionnaires to 120 AIS users who were working in head office and branches as a sample from 30 automobile companies in Sri Lanka by using convenient sampling method. The collected data has been analysed by using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The results of the study reveal that overall quality of AIS as well as organizational effectiveness is at high level in Automobile Companies in Sri Lanka. Further, the quality of AIS is showing statistically significant positive impacts on organizational effectiveness of automobile companies in Sri Lanka. The system quality as well as service quality of AIS is highly impacted on organizational effectiveness than information quality of AIS. Findings of the study are beneficial to mangers and financial executives not only to automobile companies but also it is useful to other sectors to plan for designing excellent AIS to achieve the organizational effectiveness. Keywords: Accounting Information System, System Quality, Information Quality, Service Quality, Organizational effectivenes

The Impact of Technology Readiness on Usage of Accounting Software among Small and Medium Enterprises in Kurunegala District

Technology in many cases, are rapidly changing faster than the employee’s knowledge, skills, awareness and compliance. Therefore, some organizations or some people reject to manipulate the technology for their accounting functions. Therefore, there is a problem implementation of IT does sufficient for enhancement of usage accounting software packages. The objective of this paper is to investigate the significant impact technology readiness on usage of accounting software among small and medium enterprise. To achieve this objective this empirical survey using closed ended questionnaire. This survey results revealed that almost half of the responded SMEs have reported that, there is a moderate impact of technology readiness on usage of accounting software among SMEs in Kurunegala district. Positive and negative related beliefs of technology readiness have affected this moderate impact. It seems that small and medium enterprises are suffering some curiosity in presenting financial reports using accounting software packages whether their organization is fully embraces with technology. As the results reveled in this study recommended Usage of accounting software in SMEs should improve rather than the manual method. However, security threats of technology, reluctance of users’ CAS knowledge and skills, mind set and human habit, are affecting negatively for usage. So through this study hope to find out that, how technology TR impact on usage of accounting software among SMEs. For this study selected 383 respondents and responses were collected by using closed ended questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 version. This research has used a famous model which has been presented by the parasuraman, that is technology readiness model. The study survey revealed that drivers of technology readiness, optimism and innovativeness are positively impact and inhibitors of technology readiness, discomfort and insecurity are negatively impact on usage of accounting software. It is proving after rejecting all null hypothesis. Keywords: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Technology Readiness (TR), Computerized Accounting System (CAS), Statistical Practical Software System (SPSS), Information Technology (IT

MANAGERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON STAKEHOLDER AND PURPOSE OF RESPONSE TOWARDS CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE IN SRI LANKA: LEGITIMACY AND STAKEHOLDER THEORIES PERSPECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to examine how managers’ perceptions regarding stakeholders’ value and purpose of response relate to companies’ environmental disclosure. The study employed legitimacy and stakeholder theories as the basis for explaining environmental reporting practices. Of 134 environmental disclosing public companies, 99 (74%) companies were selected by using proportionate stratified random sampling by business sectors. The questionnaire was addressed to the executives responsible for the environmental management and reporting for enquiring about important stakeholder via three dimensions of power, legitimacy and urgency and purpose of response through the lens of gain maintain and repair legitimacy. Representing 84%, responses from these managers were then contrasted with companies’ quality of environmental disclosure, which was measured by using Clarkson et al.’s (2008) environmental disclosure index that was prepared based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines as well as quantity of environmental disclosure, which was measured using number of sentences. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression were used to analyze the collected data. Findings of the study show that there are moderate associations between the managers’ perception on various stakeholders and purpose of response. Most important stakeholders are government, shareholders, and environmentalists while least important stakeholders are competitor and supplier in the decision to disclose environmental information. Further, results reveal that the core purpose of disclosing environmental information by companies is maintaining legitimacy than gaining or repairing legitimacy. Management is also motivated by level of companies’ income for disclosing environmental information. Around 27% and 23% of variation in dependent variables quality as well as quantity of environmental disclosures could be explained by encompassing all independent variables. It is concluded that managerial perception on various stakeholders regarding environmental performance is reflected on companies’ environmental disclosure for maintaining legitimacy and achieving social recognition. The results of the study would enable the companies, regulators and other stake holders for planning their environmental performance and disclosure in order to achieve sustainable development.   Keywords: environmental disclosure, GRI, legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory For full paper: [email protected]

(E)-Methyl 3-(2-methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl)but-2-enoate

In the title compound, C20H19NO4S, the indole ring system is planar [r.m.s. deviation = 0.023 (2) Å]. The sulfonyl-bound phenyl ring is almost perpendicular to the indole ring system [dihedral angle = 86.75 (7)°]. The ester group is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.030 Å) and is oriented at an angle of 62.53 (5)° with respect to the indole ring system. Molecules are linked into a two-dimensional network parallel to the ab plane by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds