bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sarbanes‐Oxley compliance and violation: an empirical study
Authors: Webb Elizabeth 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the corporate governance and financial characteristics of firms under the new Sarbanes‐Oxley (SOX) accounting regime.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first compares a comprehensive set of characteristics across firms in two states of SOX Section 404 status–Compliance and Violation. It then tests for determinants of SOX compliance in a logistic regression setting.FindingsSeveral differences between compliance groups in terms of equity ownership, board structure, and executive compensation schemes are reported. However, it appears that firms found to be in violation of SOX are not systematically worse when it comes to common measures of corporate governance. The financial structure and soundness of the groups of firms are very similar. The strongest determinant of Section 404 compliance is firm size.Originality/valueThis result supported anecdotal evidence that compliance with SOX is achieved primarily by firms that can afford it. Further, the paper highlights an important policy issue: Is SOX really differentiating firms in terms of corporate governance or in terms of size?
The value relevance of product diversification in commercial banks
Authors: Ebrahim Ahmed , Hasan Iftekar 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the value relevance of product diversification in US commercial banks.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines differences in the value relevance of commercial bank earnings components from interest and noninterest banking activities. Specifically, it studies market reaction to changes in bank earnings from noninterest sources resulting from expansion into new financial services other than the traditional intermediation activities. A sample of commercial banks between 1993 and 2002 is used.FindingsResults show that annual abnormal returns have more significant positive relation with changes in the noninterest component of bank earnings compared with changes in the interest component of earnings. These results are more obvious for small banks and after 1999, the year in which the Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Act allowed banks to expand into more noninterest banking activities.Originality/valueThis paper is an extension of the long and extensive accounting research strand in the value relevance of earnings applied to bank earning components. It may also contribute to banking and Finance literature regarding the effect of product diversification in the banking industry.
Discretionary behavior with respect to the adoption of SFAS no. 142 and the behavior of security prices
Authors: Zang Yoonseok 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether managers use discretion in determining transitional goodwill impairment loss (initial impairment loss or IIL) upon the adoption of SFAS no. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and whether and how the market reacts to the impairment loss and to the absence of goodwill amortization.Design/methodology/approachVarious empirical models are applied to a sample of 870 firms that completed the IIL test.FindingsIt is found that more highly leveraged firms (firms that have undergone a recent management change) report lower (greater) goodwill impairment. Stock return is not associated with a boost in earnings caused by elimination of goodwill amortization, but it is negatively associated with an unexpected IIL, with the association being stronger for highly leveraged firms. Subsequently, analysts revise earnings forecasts for upcoming quarters downward in response to the unexpected IIL.Research limitations/implicationsPossibility of measurement errors in proxies is a caveat.Practical implicationsThe findings are consistent with the strategic reduction of the goodwill impairment by management to avoid the violation of debt covenants and with the notion that new managers take a big bath so they can report higher earnings in the future. The market tests imply that unexpected IIL provides value‐relevant information about a negative view of the future profit‐making potential of the firm or an adverse impact on its debt contracts. No association with elimination of goodwill amortization can be interpreted as the market's anticipation or the lack of information content in goodwill amortization.Originality/valueThis research helps better understand the importance of managers' incentives in determining IIL as well as the stock market effect of the announcement of the IIL and the exclusion of goodwill amortization.
Income shifting and corporate taxation: the role of cross‐border intrafirm transfers
Authors: Olibe Kingsley O. , Rezaee Zabihollah 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the cross‐sectional relation between the value of cross‐border intrafirm transfers (CITs) and three dependent variables: return on investment (ROI), the US effective tax rate (ETRUS), and the global effective tax rate (ETRGL) to assess the existence or nonexistence of cross‐jurisdictional income shifting.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis is used to test the relationship between CIT and accounting performance and effective tax rates.FindingsThe results indicate that ROI and ETRUS increase whereas ETRGL decreases with the extent of CITs after we control for variables that impact earnings and taxes (e.g. size, industry classification, internationalization, tax shelter, and growth). This suggests that firms earn income, on average, in jurisdictions with tax rates greater than the USA, such that diverting income from overseas to the USA is a tax‐saving action. The tax results are consistent with Jacob and Mills and Newberry's findings that firms shifted income into the USA. The results also reveal that companies that engage in CITs are those that are large, relatively more profitable, and pay more US taxes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not differentiate between transfer pricing schemes for tax minimization reasons from those done for earnings management purposes, which should be addressed by future research.Practical implicationsResults have public policy implications as an understanding of how CITs affect accounting performance and taxes is important for the craft of tax policy and transfer price regulation.Originality/valueThis study furthers our understanding of the impact of CITs on earnings and taxes, an important component of accounting research which has not been properly addressed by prior studies.
Adjustment of stock prices to earnings announcements: evidence from Euronext Paris
Authors: Louhichi Waël 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to study both the information content of accounting figures and the speed at which the new information is incorporated into stock prices.Design/methodology/approachThe sample is composed of 117 overnight announcements published by Reuters during the period 2001‐2003. For every date, the event is classified into one of three categories: good news, bad news or no news. The paper uses intraday event study methodology to examine market reaction just before and just after the event.FindingsThe intraday analysis reveals several results. Firstly, investors react positively to good news and negatively to bad news. Secondly, abnormal returns dissipate within 15 min. Thirdly, prices converge to equilibrium more quickly for good news than for bad news. Fourthly, we present evidence of price reversal 30 min following bad news announcements. Finally, earnings releases are accompanied by a rise in volume which remains even after the equilibrium price is attained.Research limitations/implicationsPrice discovery is analyzed only in the stock market. It is pertinent to verify if the option market and foreign markets can contribute to the incorporation of new information into stock prices.Practical implicationsThis work can help investors to determine their trading strategies around earnings announcements. The paper shows that it is not possible to realize trading profits after 15 min following the time of the announcement.Originality/valueThe study contributes to both financial accounting and microstructure literature. First, it focuses on the information content of accounting figures using very short horizon (intraday analysis). Second, the paper sheds light on the role of the Euronext preopening period in the incorporation of the overnight information flow.
Thinking about thinking: learning at a different level
Authors: Cunningham Ian 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore an under‐recognized issue in learning in organizations. Managers/leaders are exhorted to think effectively but little work seems to be done on how to think about the right things.Design/methodology/approachThis article is based on work done in a variety of organizations as well as published sources.FindingsManagers/leaders appear to have problems often in thinking about the right things. For instance organizations fail because leaders do not think strategically. However little useful material is available to assist leaders to think effectively.Practical implicationsThe article has real practical implications for leaders/managers and learning and development professionals, as it is unique in exposing a real problem that is glossed over in much management writing. The article suggests some directions for increasing the thinking capability of managers/leaders.Originality/valueThe article will be of value to managers and learning specialists as it raises important issues about the need to focus on this under‐explored problem.
Evaluating perceptions on effectiveness of e‐learning programs in Indian banks: identifying areas for improvement
Authors: Mittal Monika 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate e‐learners' positive and negative perceptions of the key aspects of e‐learning and to identify areas that need improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe participants were 194 employees of public and private banks. Data were collected on the perception of employees about e‐learning. The responses were measured on a Likert scale of 1 to 5.FindingsAlthough e‐learning has not lived up to its promise in revolutionizing corporate training in India, there is little doubt that such a mode of learning will play as large a part in the future of human resource development in this part of the world as it has in the west.Originality/valueThis study provides a useful discussion on the perceptions on effectiveness of e‐learning programs in Indian banks.
In want of a needs analysis: getting to a management program's content and initial design
Authors: Haskins Mark E. , Shaffer George R. 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis paper provides a framework for thinking about the purposes and the conducting of a needs analysis task in preparation for crafting the design of a non‐degree management education program.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is the result of numerous years of conducting needs analysis on numerous management education program clients.FindingsNot applicable (not a research paper).Practical implicationsThe field‐inspired needs analysis framework, along with the sample interview protocol provided, are immediately and broadly applicable to those charged with the design and delivery of non‐degree management education programs.Originality/valueIn a concise and comprehensive manner, readers are provided a framework for conceptualizing, planning, and executing a non‐degree management education program needs analysis task. In addition, an example of a needs analysis interview protocol is provided that is ready to use.
Perceptions becoming reality: bridging the market knowledge gap
Authors: Loon Hoe Siu 
Published: March 2008

PurposeOrganizations constantly strive to learn about new market trends and ideas to stay ahead of the game. However, with an increased demand of market knowledge, how does the organization motivate employees to constantly acquire and disseminate market knowledge? The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perceived importance of market knowledge in promoting continuous employee acquisition and dissemination of customer and competitor knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe perceived importance of market knowledge concept is highlighted and discussed.FindingsThe paper offers a view on how management could address the increased demand for market knowledge and how the development and learning team could provide further support to close this gap.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing organizational learning literature by suggesting simple yet effective ways in which management emphasis of market knowledge can bridge the market knowledge gap and promote organizational learning.
Articulating the value of training: linking training programs to organizational goals
Authors: Bird Hedda 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss a process for demonstrating the value of training to help justify training budget spend to the board.Design/methodology/approachProvides a discussion on the ROI Academy™ line of sight approach to valuing training. Explains the concept behind the approach, demonstrates how value if calculated and suggests ways of using this data within the organization.FindingsProvides a method of linking training program outcomes to organizational goals, indicating how this process can be used at a number of levels within the organization.Practical implicationsA practical method that can be used in an learning and development environment.Originality/valueThis paper outlines a practical method of valuing training that can be used to justify learning and development activity.
Patterns of environmental management in the Chilean manufacturing industry
Authors: Ruiz‐Tagle María Teresa 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to allow environmental policy makers to identify the sort of problems and obstacles and the kind of influences that firms face from different economic actors, when trying to improve their environmental performance. It aims to identify the actions that are taken by firms to cope with more difficult environmental regulations. These will help the regulator in the design of strategies to foster environmental improvements by firms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses some of the specific questions of an environmental management survey that was carried out in the manufacturing industry in Chile in 2001. A large number of variables from the survey were involved and they are hard to handle in such disaggregated terms. The factor analysis (FA) methodology is thus applied to reduce the information to a manageable number of variables.FindingsThe results of the FA methodology provide the regulator with fewer dimensions to concentrate on when designing environmental strategies, while they also provide an insight into each general area of concern. The indices of environmental performance that are developed in the paper contribute to the targeting of policy recommendations, as they allow comparisons of the levels of environmental performance between different sorts of manufacturing plants.Practical implicationsThis paper helps to determine patterns of environmental performance in manufacturing firms, which are very helpful for environmental policy makers when designing strategies to foster environmental improvements by firms, particularly when countries are facing budget constraints. This case study could also be illustrative for other countries with similar characteristics.Originality/valueThe approach used in this paper allows environmental policy makers to count on certain indicators to efficiently target their environmental policies.
Combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods to detect salt‐water intrusion
Authors: Al‐Bassam Abdulaziz M. , Tahir Hussein M. 
Published: March 2008

PurposeSalt‐water intrusion has always been a source of contamination in coastal aquifers that hinders sustainable groundwater development. Classical techniques to detect its occurrence are costly and time consuming. The application of combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods is cheaper, executable in reasonable time, and successfully applied in mapping the interface between saline and fresh groundwater. The current study aims at detecting and delineating salt‐water intrusion in the downstream part of Wadi Gizan in southwest Saudi Arabia using geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods.Design/methodology/approachThe case study area is the downstream part of Wadi Gizan in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Geo‐electrical data were obtained from field measurements using both Shlumberger and Wenner procedures. A number of 65 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for its total dissolved solids and major ionic composition.FindingsThe results show variations in the resistivity of the water‐bearing strata in the study area. Resistivity values decrease towards the Red Sea, and, in separate pockets. The total dissolved solids (TDS) and chloride distributions show the same pattern. Overlapping the areal distributions of the resistivity, TDS, and chloride concentration yield a map showing the limits of salt‐water intrusion and up‐coning pockets of saline water.Practical implicationsPlanners, decision makers and other interest groups can use these findings for a sustainable groundwater development in the study area, and, to safeguard the aquifer from further advancement of salt‐water intrusion.Originality/valueThe case study indicates the importance of applying combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods for groundwater quality variations and especially in detecting and delineating the contact between saline and fresh groundwater in coastal aquifers.
Adaptation of enterprises to the requirements of sustainable development in the light of new institutional economics
Authors: Kudłak Robert 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis article seeks to explain the mechanism of adapting enterprises to the requirements of sustainable development. It aims to base this analysis on the concept of new institutional economics.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical basis of new institutional economics is used to understand and explain the behaviour of enterprises in relation to the natural environment.FindingsThe article finds that new institutional economics, compared to rather formalised and abstract mainstream economics, may be quite successfully used in answering why economic entities undertake actions for environmental protection.Practical implicationsNew institutional economics may be used as a tool for understanding e.g. why some instruments aiming at environmental protection are more effective and efficient than other instruments. It may provide useful knowledge about the institutional environment while creating new environmental protection instruments. More empirical studies on a greater number of enterprises (not only individual case studies) are necessary to find out which institutions and mechanisms mentioned in the paper are crucial, and which should be supported in order to achieve environmental goals.Originality/valueThere are a great number of empirical papers containing case studies, but only few theoretical attempts to generate a synthesis. This paper fills this gap.
An institutional capital approach to sustainable development
Authors: Platje Joost 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to outline and analyse some important elements of institutional capital and their potential effect on sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents four elements of institutional capital: public domain, institutional strength, good governance, and institutional equilibrium. The choice of these elements and the analysis of their economic, social and environmental impacts are based on literature study and interpretation and extension of existing analyses which rather focus on either economic or environmental issues.FindingsThe main argument of the paper is that institutional capital is a fundament of sustainable development, and that a lack of such capital is likely to cause unsustainable development.Practical implicationsThe paper creates a general theoretical basis that may be a useful background for developing policy based on a system approach.Originality/valueNew institutional economics has often been used to analyse institutional determinants of economic growth and, to a lesser extent, to elaborate conditions for environmental protection and social development. The paper has tried to integrate and extend existing theory, focusing on economic activity, natural resource use and negative externalities, into a more general framework presenting the fundamental importance of social and economic order (institutional capital) for achieving sustainable development.
Talking about the future within an SME?
Authors: Will Markus 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to try to link sustainable development, small business management and strategy setting with corporate foresight. Corporate foresight aims to transfer methodological sound instruments of future and technology analysis to (small) business contexts and can be described as an information‐based communication process aiming in vision‐building on future markets, changes in society and customer needs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature research and on the results of an interdisciplinary expert workshop and is part of an ongoing case study.FindingsThe paper finds that sustainable development is widely acknowledged as key concept for humanities future. Sustainability calls for balancing short‐term business interest and long‐term development of both the society and the company itself. Regardless of whether a business manager is committed to an ethical fundament of sustainable development (normative attempt), there is also a rational basis for taking (voluntary) actions for corporate sustainability. Notably, regarding the development of commodity prices in the last years (e.g. steel, copper, coal) or the long‐term preservation of value brands, there is a call for strategic response. Corporate foresight may support this strategy‐setting process.Originality/valueAlthough foresight procedures are not new in management literature, there is a lack in implementation in small businesses. The paper presents a step‐by‐step approach on corporate foresight to be adopted in small businesses.
Urban development versus sustainable development in Poland
Authors: Strzelecka Elżbieta 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the degree of sustainable urban development in Poland in terms of spatial management and laws applying to the process.Design/methodology/approachThe study provides an analysis of the key legal bases fundamental to sustainable development. Instruments that can be used to implement development guidelines (strategy, budget, “the study”, local zoning plan), revitalisation processes and to identify barriers to sustainable urban development.FindingsThe paper finds a recognition of the main spatial and legal barriers to urban development. The lack of zoning plans in many cities delays new investments. Revitalisation programmes are essential for maintaining a sustainable and stable polycentric structure of cities and towns within regions and across the country as a whole.Practical implicationsResults of analysis describe the main barriers to urban development, while the lack of zoning plans and practical strategies mainly contribute to unsustainable development of cities. Long‐term planning requires more rigorous and coordinated measures on different levels of administration.Originality/valueThe paper provides specialists and students with a new look at sustainable urban development; the latter is assumed to not only be connected with economic, social and environmental spheres, but also with spatial spheres.