bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual audit, audit firm independence, and auditor conservatism
Authors: Lin Chan-Jane , Lin Hsiao-Lun , Yen Ai-Ru 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This study aims to examine whether China's unique dual audit policy affects one specific aspect of audit quality: auditor conservatism. In China, listed companies issuing B/H-shares in addition to A-shares must release two financial reports – one based on Chinese accounting standards and the other based on international accounting standards (ISA). The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) further requires that the financial reports following Chinese accounting standards should be audited by a domestic CPA firm, and the financial reports following ISA should be audited by an approved overseas CPA firm. This study investigates whether the dual audit requirement induces more auditor conservatism.Design/methodology/approach– Based on a sample of 7,046 firm-year observations that issue A-shares from 2001 to 2006, the authors empirically test whether the dual audit requirement induces more auditor conservatism, measured by the level of discretionary accruals.Findings– The authors find the dual audit requirement significantly restricts the use of income-increasing discretionary accruals but not income-decreasing discretionary accruals. Moreover, financial reporting becomes most conservative when two auditors are from two un-affiliated audit firms. Nevertheless, the difference-in-difference analysis fails to show a significant decrease in auditor conservatism after the revocation of the dual audit rule for the treatment group with dual audit before but no dual audit after 2007 comparing to the control group that experience no change in 2007.Originality/value– First, the previous studies examine issues regarding the effects of supervision pressure through experimental setting. The authors extend the literature by examining empirically the impact of perceived peer pressure on auditor conservatism. Second, the findings from China regarding the effect of the dual audit system on auditor conservatism serve as a reference for other emerging markets that have not yet established sound audit systems.
Financial reporting and economic implications of statements of financial standards No. 132(R) and No. 158
Authors: Komissarov Sergey 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to address two questions: did adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132(R) and No. 158 affect neutrality of the financial reporting with regard to the disclosed expected rate of return (ERR) on pension assets assumptions, and did pension asset allocations change in response to the new recognition and disclosure requirements?

Design/methodology/approach
– The author uses several measures of association between reported expected return and pension assets allocations to assess neutrality of the reported ERR. The series of tests explores changes in correlations between asset allocations and expected rates of return and changes in the implied risk premiums following adoption of Statements No. 132(R) and No. 158. Granger causality analysis is used to explore the second research question: did pension asset allocations change in response to the new recognition and disclosure requirements?

Findings
– The empirical results are consistent with improved neutrality of financial reporting following adoption of Standard No. 132(R). There were no detectable changes in neutrality following adoption of Standard No. 158. While the data are consistent with portfolio allocations changing to a greater degree than did expected rates of return following Statement No. 132(R) adoption, the effect appears short-lived.

Originality/value
– The overall results are consistent with Standard 132(R) having a positive effect on the neutrality of the reported ERR. Also, there is no evidence of persistent and systematic structuring of transactions around preferred financial reporting outcomes.
Banking mergers – an application of matching strategy
Authors: Alam Nafis , Lee Ng Seok 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– ASEAN region has emerged as a major hotspot for banking mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Asia. This paper aims to examine the determinants of acquisitions for 47 acquired banks and 33 acquiring banks in ASEAN from 2003 to 2011 by applying matching strategy.

Design/methodology/approach
– Three binary logistic regressions are estimated in the study to identify the determinants of acquisitions in the ASEAN banking industry. Furthermore, the paper examines the ex ante bank-specific and country-specific characteristics of acquiring and acquired banks which motivate bank acquisitions.

Findings
– The division of the sample into sub-samples reflects significant changes in the determinants of the likelihood of being acquired over different time periods. In the normal period prior to the financial crises, acquired banks are also found to have greater loan activities. Asset quality and liquidity played important roles in determining the likelihood of being acquired in the period after the onset of the 2007 global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis. Larger banks with higher growth and greater profitability are more likely to engage in acquisitions as acquiring banks rather than as acquired banks. The study indicates that financial crises bring about a change in the determinants of bank acquisitions.

Research limitations/implications
– The results for the bank-specific determinants are consistent with the growth-resource and inefficient management hypotheses. It is obvious that the involvement of ASEAN banks in acquisitions is strongly motivated by the pursuit of growth, consistent with the rapid economic growth in the region.

Originality/value
– The study identifies the bank-specific and country-specific characteristics of acquiring and acquired banks which influence their involvement in M&A. The uniqueness of this paper lies in the applied methodology on matching strategy.
Measurement of sustainability performance in the public sector
Authors: A. Adams Carol , Muir Stephen , Hoque Zahirul 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– This article identifies current performance measurement practice within state, territory and federal government departments in Australia with a particular emphasis on the importance of sustainability performance measures. Whilst voluntary sustainability reporting by private sector organisations aligned, for the most part, with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines is growing, there is little sustainability reporting by organisations in the public sector. This raises questions as to the extent to which public sector sustainability performance is managed. This research aims to assess the use of sustainability performance measures for supporting organisational performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach
– A mail out survey approach has been adopted within government departments.

Findings
– The performance measures utilised by organisations to a great extent were in the areas of cost efficiency and quality measures and those utilised to least extent were for learning and growth measures and to satisfy legislative requirements and manage programs. Sustainability, environmental or social responsibility measures are the least used performance measures, and those utilised are mainly measures of employee diversity and non-financial economic aspects that are identified.

Practical implications
– The public sector is unlikely to adopt comprehensive sustainability performance measures while they remain voluntary and while there is no perceived need to be competitive in these areas. Either mandatory reporting is required or some form of competitive process based on performance measures implemented.

Originality/value
– The findings make a contribution to the academic literature on sustainability performance measures in public sector organisations and point to policy measures that may lead to improvements in practice.
Strengthening private certification systems through public regulation
Authors: D'Hollander David , Marx Axel 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– Private certification systems (PCS) have emerged as governance tools for sustainable development, regulating social and environmental standards through global supply chains. PCS are seen as essentially private and market-driven, but governments have engaged with them in various ways. There are also substantial differences in the institutional design of PCS with regard to the standard-setting process, ex-ante conformity assessment and ex-post verification procedures. Consequently, what determines the institutional design of PCS has attracted growing attention. This article argues that governments, through public regulation, influence the design of PCS, which in turn affects their effectiveness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– First, a review of academic literature, policy and legal documents presents how PCS have become institutionalized in government policy, focusing on sustainable public procurement (SPP) regulation. Second, the authors explore the link between effectiveness and the institutional design of PCS by empirically assessing the variations between institutional parameters conducive to effectiveness. Data from the Ecolabel Index database were used to assess the presence or absence of four institutional design parameters related to the rule-making and monitoring mechanisms of PCS.Findings– Public procurement regulations are important drivers influencing the institutional design of PCS. The buying power and market share of government spending is a potential tool for policy-makers not only to stimulate the adoption of PCS, but also for shaping their design and effectiveness. However, the impact of such policies is highly dependent upon the market-share of public procurement within a given sector. In addition to public procurement frameworks, other factors drive the institutional evolution of PCS.Originality/value– The article connects two themes within the study of non-state market regulation; the growing interaction of governments with PCS, and the institutional variety and development of these systems.
Disclosure effects, carbon emissions and corporate value
Authors: Saka Chika , Oshika Tomoki 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate carbon emissions and disclosure on corporate value, especially regarding whether disclosure helps to reduce uncertainty in valuation as predicted by carbon emissions using a unique data set on Japanese companies.Design/methodology/approach– Empirical analysis of the relations between corporate carbon emissions using compulsory filing data to Japanese Government covering more than 1,000 firms, corporate carbon management disclosure (CDP disclosure), and the market value of equity.Findings– The authors find that corporate carbon emissions have a negative relation with the market value of equity, the disclosure of carbon management has a positive relation with the market value of equity, and the positive relation between the disclosure of carbon management and the market value of equity is stronger with a larger volume of carbon emissions.Practical implications– The results may be important when considering the inclusion of carbon disclosure as a component of nonfinancial disclosure. In addition, the findings encourage Japanese companies to reduce carbon emissions and to disclose their carbon management activities.Originality/value– The authors provide the first empirical evidence of an interactive effect between the volume of carbon emissions and carbon management disclosure on the market value of equity. And, the results concerning the relation between environmental performance, disclosure, and market value are readily generalizable, especially as all companies emit carbon, either directly or indirectly. In addition, the results are arguably free of problems with sampling bias and endogeneity as the authors employ data obtained from the compulsory filing of carbon emissions information.
Bridging the strategy implementation skills gap
Authors: Speculand Robin 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– A precarious skills gap is emerging among leaders around the world – that is, they lack the skills to implement the strategies they create. .

Design/methodology/approach
– Offers a viewpoint based on the author's experience.

Findings
– Organizations that recognize this skills gap are providing the required training. The training addresses how leaders must be able to craft and implement strategy as well as stay constantly committed to its implementation through follow up. They are also responsible for creating the right conditions for the implementation and making adjustments as required

Practical implications
– Offers five practical recommendations for successful strategy implementation.

Originality/value
– This paper argues that the current generation of leaders has been taught how to craft strategy but not how to execute it.
The chief digital officer: bringing a dynamic approach to digital business
Authors: Dumeresque David 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– This paper addresses the subject of the chief digital officer: why there is a need for a CDO, the competencies required for the position, and to whom the CDO should report.

Findings
– Until now, it has been the IT department that has controlled and driven the corporate technology agenda. That is changing because the digital revolution is resulting in the users dictating what the software does for them, not the IT department.

Practical implications
– The issues addressed will benefit all senior management by improving their understanding of ways in which to manage their social media and other digital technologies.

Originality/value
– The concept of a digital director is gaining in importance as organizations begin to recognize the full impact of a robust, dynamic flow of data, knowledge and information across business interests and through social activity streams.
Regionalization and Local Hospital Closure in Norwegian Maternity Care—The Effect on Neonatal and Infant Mortality
Authors: Grytten Jostein , Monkerud Lars , Skau Irene , Sørensen Rune 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo study whether neonatal and infant mortality, after adjustments for differences in case mix, were independent of the type of hospital in which the delivery was carried out.DataThe Medical Birth Registry of Norway provided detailed medical information for all births in Norway.Study DesignHospitals were classified into two groups: local hospitals/maternity clinics versus central/regional hospitals. Outcomes were neonatal and infant mortality. The data were analyzed using propensity score weighting to make adjustments for differences in case mix between the two groups of hospitals. This analysis was supplemented with analyses of 13 local hospitals that were closed. Using a difference‐in‐difference approach, the effects that these closures had on neonatal and infant mortality were estimated.Principal FindingNeonatal and infant mortality were not affected by the type of hospital where the delivery took place.ConclusionA regionalized maternity service does not lead to increased neonatal and infant mortality. This is mainly because high‐risk deliveries were identified well in advance of the birth, and referred to a larger hospital with sufficient perinatal resources to deal with these deliveries.
Concurrent and Lagged Effects of Registered Nurse Turnover and Staffing on Unit‐Acquired Pressure Ulcers
Authors: Park Shin Hye , Boyle Diane K. , Bergquist‐Beringer Sandra , Staggs Vincent S. , Dunton Nancy E. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveWe examined the concurrent and lagged effects of registered nurse (RN) turnover on unit‐acquired pressure ulcer rates and whether RN staffing mediated the effects.Data Sources/SettingQuarterly unit‐level data were obtained from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators for 2008 to 2010. A total of 10,935 unit‐quarter observations (2,294 units, 465 hospitals) were analyzed.MethodsThis longitudinal study used multilevel regressions and tested time‐lagged effects of study variables on outcomes.FindingsThe lagged effect of RN turnover on unit‐acquired pressure ulcers was significant, while there was no concurrent effect. For every 10 percentage‐point increase in RN turnover in a quarter, the odds of a patient having a pressure ulcer increased by 4 percent in the next quarter. Higher RN turnover in a quarter was associated with lower RN staffing in the current and subsequent quarters. Higher RN staffing was associated with lower pressure ulcer rates, but it did not mediate the relationship between turnover and pressure ulcers.ConclusionsWe suggest that RN turnover is an important factor that affects pressure ulcer rates and RN staffing needed for high‐quality patient care. Given the high RN turnover rates, hospital and nursing administrators should prepare for its negative effect on patient outcomes.
What DoesGranger Causality Prove? A Critical Examination of the Interpretation ofGranger Causality Results on Price Effects of Index Trading in Agricultural Commodity Markets
Authors: Grosche Stephanie‐Carolin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe influence of index trading on price levels, returns, spreads or volatility in agricultural commodity markets is frequently investigated with bivariateGranger Causality (GC) tests. A joint review of existing empirical studies reveals scant and inconsistent evidence ofGCfrom index activity to prices. Some findings of reverseGCfrom prices to index activity are reported. The literature offers three different interpretations ofGCtest results: (i) as prima facie causal evidence; (ii) as a test for informational efficiency of the markets; or (iii) as a test for the ability of one variable to improve the forecast of another variable. A critical examination of these interpretations against an extended theoretical background reveals that none allows direct inferences about the existence or absence of an influence from index trading activity on the price mechanism in the market. This severely limits the usefulness of a stand‐alone application ofGCtests.
Renting Over Troubled Waters: An Urban Political Ecology of Rental Housing
Authors: MEE KATHLEEN J. , INSTONE LESLEY , WILLIAMS MIRIAM , PALMER JANE , VAUGHAN NICOLA 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn this paper we explore the urban political ecologies (UPEs) of rental housing through the lens of water to draw attention to the different conditions of access to ‘resources for adaptation’ in the material relations of public and private rental housing provision in a world of changing climate. Climate change introduces a profound dimension of uncertainty in the socio‐material relations of urban life. However, the capacity of urban residents to make changes to their housing is uneven, and this uncertainty is amplified by the limited access of many tenants to ‘resources for adaptation’ such as gardens, water efficiency, and alternative energy and is exacerbated by regulatory practices, including leases, insurance, and capital investment, that help shape the socio‐natural relations of tenure. UPE emphasises the hybrid nature of cities and the flows of people and materials that constitute the built environment. We draw on the insights of UPE alongside an appreciation of the dynamics of normal standards of comfort, cleanliness, and convenience in the home to reveal the complexities of attempts to engage more sustainably with water in rental property. This paper draws on a case study of rental property managers and tenants in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, to explore social and cultural processes that are both shaped by and shape rental housing provision. We reveal a suite of practices, materials, and discourses that assemble to make ‘resources for adaptation’ and simultaneously render water useful, troubled, or troublesome.
DNA barcode‐based delineation of putative species: efficient start for taxonomic workflows
Authors: Kekkonen Mari , Hebert Paul D. N. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe analysis of DNA barcode sequences with varying techniques for cluster recognition provides an efficient approach for recognizing putative species (operational taxonomic units, OTUs). This approach accelerates and improves taxonomic workflows by exposing cryptic species and decreasing the risk of synonymy. This study tested the congruence of OTUs resulting from the application of three analytical methods (ABGD, BIN, GMYC) to sequence data for Australian hypertrophine moths. OTUs supported by all three approaches were viewed as robust, but 20% of the OTUs were only recognized by one or two of the methods. These OTUs were examined for three criteria to clarify their status. Monophyly and diagnostic nucleotides were both uninformative, but information on ranges was useful as sympatric sister OTUs were viewed as distinct, while allopatric OTUs were merged. This approach revealed 124 OTUs of Hypertrophinae, a more than twofold increase from the currently recognized 51 species. Because this analytical protocol is both fast and repeatable, it provides a valuable tool for establishing a basic understanding of species boundaries that can be validated with subsequent studies.
PCR‐based isolation of multigene families: lessons from the avian MHC class IIB
Authors: Burri R. , Promerová M. , Goebel J. , Fumagalli L. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe amount of sequence data available today highly facilitates the access to genes from many gene families. Primers amplifying the desired genes over a range of species are readily obtained by aligning conserved gene regions, and laborious gene isolation procedures can often be replaced by quicker PCR‐based approaches. However, in the case of multigene families, PCR‐based approaches bear the often ignored risk of incomplete isolation of family members. This problem is most prominent in gene families with highly variable and thus unpredictable number of gene copies among species, such as in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In this study, we (i) report new primers for the isolation of the MHC class IIB (MHCIIB) gene family in birds and (ii) share our experience with isolating MHCIIB genes from an unprecedented number of avian species from all over the avian phylogeny. We report important and usually underappreciated problems encountered during PCR‐based multigene family isolation and provide a collection of measures to help significantly improving the chance of successfully isolating complete multigene families using PCR‐based approaches.