bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Trusteeship Theory of Accounting for Natural Capital Assets
Authors: Barton Alland D. 
Published: March 2003

One of the problems encountered in implementing accrual accounting in the government sector is that of accounting for natural capital assets provided freely to government and which are used as public goods. Professional accounting standards require that these assets be valued and included in the government’s statement of assets and liabilities. The problem is not encountered in business accrual accounting because business neither acquires assets freely nor provides services to the public on a non‐commercial basis.Various issues surrounding accrual accounting for natural capital assets used as public goods are examined in this article. The nature and characteristics of such assets, and the distinctions between private goods and public goods markets, are first explained to set the context for examination of the issues. Then the issues as to whether natural capital assets should be treated as assets for accounting purposes and included in the government’s statement of financial position are analysed according to FASB standards; it is concluded that they are not assets. Rather, it is proposed that these assets used for the provision of non‐commercial services to the public should be treated in a separate category as public goods assets which are held in trust by the government on behalf of the nation, for the benefit of current and future generations and for the preservation of the natural ecology of the nation. Commercial valuations are not relevant for these assets and they need not be valued in financial terms for their good management.
What Are Assets and Liabilities? Where Is True North? (Accounting That my Sister Would Understand)
Authors: Schuetze Walter P. 
Published: March 2003

This is an article about what I think financial accounting and reporting ought to look like—about my vision that the singular focus of financial accounting and reporting should be on cash, that is, cash itself, contractual claims to cash, things (assets) that can be converted into cash, and obligations to pay cash, and that assets and liabilities should be stated at fair value in corporate balance sheets. I call this formulationTrue North.I previously have written about how we should keep financial accounting and reporting simple (‘Keep It Simple’, Accounting Horizons, June 1991, pp. 113–17). I also have written about how assets should be defined for accounting purposes (‘What Is an Asset?’, Accounting Horizons, Septem‐ber 1993, pp. 66–70). This article builds on those two earlier ones. It deals with definitions of assets and liabilities that should be recognized (that is, displayed, shown, or reported) in corporate balance sheets and how the recognized assets and liabilities should be measured when reported in those balance sheets.
Evaluation of Extraordinary and Exceptional Items Disclosed by Hong Kong Companies
Authors: Jaggi Bikki , Baydoun Nabil 
Published: March 2003

This study evaluates extraordinary and exceptional items (EI) disclosed in financial statements by Hong Kong companies from 1989 to 1993, prior to revision of SSAP 2. The results indicate that disclosures of positive EI were associated with market expectations of profit before taxes. If market expectations were higher than profit before EI and taxes (PBEI), positive EI (gains) were likely to be disclosed to adjust PBEI upwards and thus reduce the gap between reported and expected profits.The results relating to negative EI (losses) showed that if companies had low historical economic performance they were more likely to disclose negative EI. Because weak historical economic performance is likely to be associated with low market expectations, management used this opportunity to ‘spring clean’ in order to show better economic performance in future years.These findings suggest that managers engage in earnings management through disclosure of extraordinary items when they have flexibility to do so. In order to improve quality of financial disclosure, better accounting standards need to be developed for disclosures of extraordinary items, especially by newly developed and developing countries where accounting standards are at the formative stage.
Ex‐dividend Day Pricing in New Zealand
Authors: Bartholdy Jan , Brown Kate 
Published: March 2003

Controversy continues over the question of tax clientele effects in the pricing of shares that pay dividends. The empirical results remain inconclusive, with variations in testing methods and sample formation the probable causes of much of the variation in outcomes. This study focuses on testing for the presence of a tax clientele effect consistent with prior tests for the same effect using a sample from a particular tax regime period in New Zealand in which companies could pay either or both taxable and non‐taxable dividends. The results are generally consistent with the presence of a tax clientele effect in the New Zealand market for the time period, while providing essentially no support for the short term trading hypothesis. JEL classification: G10; G15
An examination of order effects in auditors’ inherent risk assessments
Authors: Monroe Gary , Ng Juliana 
Published: March 2003

While recency effects have been reported in a variety of audit tasks, recent studies suggest that these effects may be mitigated under certain conditions. The importance of investigating order effects in auditors’ judgments rests with its potential to impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of audits. Since current studies suggest that recency effects may not impact on all audit situations, it is necessary to identify conditions or variables in the task environment that either induce or mitigate recency.This study examines the occurrence of order effects in auditors’ inherent risk assessments, a task not previously examined. Using a case study administered to 70 auditors, this study found that auditors’ judgments were not influenced by the order in which audit evidence was evaluated. Rather, the results suggest that judgments of inherent risk may be biased towards conservatism. This may not be surprising given the negative consequences associated with failing to adequately plan an audit. This may cause auditors to act cautiously and thus mitigate recency effects.
Does Membership Homogeneity Matter for Group‐based Financial Services? Evidence from the Gambia
Authors: Nagarajan Geetha , Meyer Richard L. , Graham Douglas H. 
Published: March 2003

This paper examines the effect of membership composition on the components of group design to provide financial services, and on the performance of these groups. Regression results based on data from RoSCAs in the Gambia show that gender homogeneity is less likely to affect components of group design than is homogeneity in income generating capacity of members. Membership homogeniety does not directly affect the repayment performance of the members but only indirectly through the components of the group design.—Cet article examine l’incidence de la composition sur les composantes et la performance des groupes constitués en vue de la fourniture de services financiers. Selon les résultats d’une analyse de régression basée sur les données de “RoSCA” en Gambie, il apparaît que l’homogénéité du genre influe moins sur les composantes de la conception des groupes que l’homogénéité de la capacité des groupes à générer des revenus. En ce qui concerne la performance en matière de remboursement, l’incidence de l’homogénéité de la composition n’est pas directe mais indirecte au travers des composantes de la conception des groupes.
The Balance‐of‐Payments Constraint and Growth Rate Differences Among African and East Asian Economies
Authors: Hussain M. Nureldin 
Published: March 2003

The balance‐of‐payments constrained growth rate model postulates that the balance of payments position of a country is the main constraint on economic growth, because it imposes a limit on demand to which supply can adapt. This paper applies the model to a sample of African and Asian countries aiming at explaining growth rate differences among these countries by quantifying the individual and combined contributions of export growth, capital flows and changes in the terms of trade in each country’s case. The results obtained give support to the argument that, in contrast to Asian countries, the low growth rates in African countries are explained by low export expansion relative to the imports required for the processes of growth and development. This poor performance of African countries is attributed to the low magnitudes of their dynamic Harrod foreign trade multipliers, which are determined by the respective income elasticities of demand for exports and imports. It is asserted that the low dynamic Harrod foreign trade multipliers of African countries are direct products of their excessive dependency on the exportation of primary products.—Le modèle de taux de croissance contrariés par la balance des paiements postule que la position de la balance des paiements constitue le principal obstacle à la croissance économique d’un pays, dans la mesure où elle impose une limite à la demande à laquelle l’offre pourrait s’adapter. Le présent article applique ce modèle à un échantillon de pays africains et asiatiques afin d’expliquer les différences de taux de croissance entre ces pays, en quantifiant la contribution individuelle et collective de facteurs tels que la croissane des exportations, les flux de capitaux et la variation des termes de l’échange dans chaque pays. Les résultats obtenus confortent l’argument selon lequel, contrairement à ce qui se passe dans les pays asiatiques, la modicité des taux de croissance dans les des pays africains s’explique par la faible expansion des exportations par rapport aux importations nécessaires pour assurer le processus de croissance et de développement. Cette performance médiocre des économies africaines est imputée à l’insuffisance de leur multiplicateur dynamique du commerce extérieur de Harrod, qui est déterminé par leurs élasticités‐revenu de la demande d’exportations et d’importations. Cette insuffisance est elle‐même une conséquence directe de la dépendance excessive de ces pays à l’égard des exportations de produits de base.
Effects of Budget Deficit on Trade Balance in Nigeria: A Simulation Exercise
Authors: Egwaikhide Festus O. 
Published: March 2003

This article uses a macroeconomic model to investigate the effects of budget deficit on trade balance in Nigeria. Evidence from policy simulations shows that budget deficit arising from increased government spending adversely affects the balance of trade irrespective of whether it is money‐financed or by external borrowing. This suggests that, in part, demand management policies can be explored to achieve external balance in Nigeria.Le présent article part d’un modèle macroéconomique pour analyser les effets du déficit budgétaire sur la balance commerciale au Nigeria. D’après les résultats des simulations de l’action des pouvoirs publics, il ressort que le déficit budgétaire causé par l’augmentation des dépenses publiques a des incidences négatives sur la balance commerciale, quel qu’en soit le mode de financement: le recours à la planche à billet ou l’emprunt extérieur. Ce qui donne à penser qu’en partie, il est possible d’étudier les politiques de gestion de la demande pour résoudre le problème de la balance extérieure au Nigeria.
A Poverty Assessment Exercise in Zimbabwe
Authors: Hamdok Abdalla A. 
Published: March 2003

This paper provides a brief analysis and documentation of the experience of a recent poverty assessment exercise in Zimbabwe. It starts with a reflection on the background and context of the Poverty Assessment Study (PAS) followed by a review of conceptual issues in the measurement of poverty and the construction of poverty lines. It also provides a brief analysis of the poverty profile in Zimbabwe. The study showed that poverty at the time was very high in the rural areas compared to the urban areas and particularly higher in the communal lands. Other observed characteristics were the ‘juvenization and feminization’ of poverty, as it had been noticed there was a greater incidence of poverty among children and female‐headed households.Le présent document analyse brièvement et tire les leçons d’une récente étude faite au Zimbabwe sur l’évaluation de la pauvreté. Il commence par une réflexion sur la genèse et le contexte de l’Etude d’évaluation de la pauvreté (EEP). Cette réflexion est ensuite suivie par une analyse des paramètres conceptuels servant à mesurer la pauvreté et à en définir les limites. Le document analyse aussi brièvement les caractéristiques de la pauvreté au Zimbabwe. Il y est démontré que le niveau de pauvretéétait très élevé au moment de l’étude dans les zones rurales comparativement aux régions urbaines, et qu’il était encore particulièrement plus élevé dans les terres communales. Certaines particularités telles que “le rajeunissement et la féminisation” de la pauvreté sont également observées, dans la mesure où l’on constate une plus grande incidence de la pauvreté chez les enfants et les ménages dirigés par une femme.
Fiscal Adjustment to Currency Devaluation in Selected African Countries: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Yiheyis Zelealem 
Published: March 2003

The object of this paper is to examine the fiscal consequences of exchange rate adjustment in the context of selected African economies. The paper identifies the salient channels through which the exchange rate is expected to influence fiscal variables, describes the behaviour of these indicators in the sample countries, and formulates and estimates an empirical model that links the real exchange rate with real fiscal revenue and expenditure. It finds that currency devaluation — where launched — has, on balance, resulted in real depreciation and that the latter has increased real fiscal revenue, with imperceptible effect on real expenditures. The fiscal deficit is found to exert no statistically significant influence on the behaviour of the real exchange rate.Ce document examine les conséquences budgétaires de l’ajustement du taux de change dans un certain nombre de pays africains. Il détermine les principales voies par lesquelles le taux de change est censé influer sur les variables budgétaires, décrit le comportement de ces indicateurs dans les pays concernés, élabore et évalue un modèle empirique établissant un lien entre le taux de change réel et les recettes et dépenses budgétaires réelles. Il constate que la dévaluation, là où elle est intervenue, s’est en définitive traduite par une véritable dépréciation, qui a entraâné un accroissement des recettes budgétaires réelles et exercé un effet imperceptible sur les dépenses réelles. En outre, sur le plan statistique, le déficit budgétaire n’exerce pas d’effet significatif sur le comportement.
The Evolution of Poverty in Nigeria 1985–92
Authors: Ali Ali A.G. 
Published: March 2003

In this note an alternative method for decomposing poverty changes over time is proposed and applied to Nigeria for the years 1985 and 1992. It is shown that the established method of decomposition which holds the poverty line constant at the reference period of the decomposition overestimates the size of the `growth component’ of any poverty change. The conclusion reached by applying the original decomposition method of Datt and Ravallion (1992) is changed completely if the proposed method is applied.Cette note propose et applique au Nigeria pour les années 1985 et 1992, une méthode différente de décomposition de l’évolution de la pauvreté dans le temps. Elle montre que la méthode de décomposition établie, qui maintient constants les seuils de pauvretéà la période de référence, surestime la taille de la “composante croissance” de l’évolution de la pauvreté. En appliquant la méthode proposée, on aboutit à une conclusion radicalement différente de celle de la méthode traditionelle de Datt et Ravallion.
Food Security and Food Productivity in Sudan, 1970–95
Authors: Ali Ali A.G. 
Published: March 2003

Against the backdrop of a persistent food insecurity problem in Sudan which has prevailed since the mid 1970s, this paper makes use of the ordinary least squares (OLS) method of analysis to assess the performance of the national development strategies encapsulated in various medium‐term plans and programs between 1970/71 and 1992/93 with respect to achieving their objective of national self sufficiency in food production through both vertical and horizontal expansion in food production. An exponential function is used to estimate the trends in area, production, and productivity for three major staple crops, namely sorghum, wheat, and millet using annual time series data covering the period 1970–95. The results provide clear evidence that vertical expansion alone does not pay off in terms of output. Instead, policies should focus more on improving agricultural productivity via the introduction of new varieties and the application of technological packages. These policies must then be reinforced by efforts to improve infrastructure, including health and education, to pave the way for a positive supply response at lower costs. Experience has shown that food security, as a prelude to industrial growth is not likely to be achieved if agricultural productivity is not increased.Face à l’insécurité alimentaire persistante qui a prévalu au Soudan depuis le milieu des années 70, cette étude utilise la méthode des moindres carrés ordinaires pour évaluer la performance des stratégies nationales de développment. Celles‐ci sont consacrées par les différents plans et programmes à moyen terme appliqués entre 1970/71 et 1992/93 en vue de réaliser l’objectif d’autosuffisance alimentaire par l’expansion verticale et horizontale de la production alimentaire. Une fonction est utilisée pour estimer, par le biais de séries chronologiques annuelles couvrant la période 1970–1995, l’evolution des superficies, de la production et de la productivité des trois grandes cultures que sont le sorgho, le blé et le mil. Il ressort clairement des résultats que l’expansion verticale à elle seule ne permet pas d’augmenter les rendements. Les mesures devraient viser davantage à améliorer la productivité agricole en introduisant de nouvelles variétés et en appliquant des programmes technologiques. Ces mesures doivent ensuite Ãtre renforcées par des actions tendant à améliorer les infrastructures, notamment celles de santé et d’éducation, pour favoriser une réaction positive de l’offre à des coûts moins élevés. On sait par expérience que la sécurité alimentaire, en tant que prélude à la croissance industrielle, a peu de chances d’être réalisée si la productivité agricole n’est pas renforcée.
Comportement Bureaucratique et Conditionnalité de Programme
Authors: N'Guessan Tchétché 
Published: March 2003

La génération actuelle des programmes de stabilisation et d'ajustement structurel (PAS) est caractérisée par la conditionnalité imposée. En raison de celle‐ci, ces programmes ont abouti à des résultats décevants, parce que les pays les considèrent comme des politiques imposées de l'extérieur et partant, les appliquent de manière partielle. Devant cet échec, il est apparu nécessaire de reformuler les conditionnalités des PAS.Dans cette perspective, différents auteurs ont proposé de substituer à la conditionnalité imposée, une nouvelle conditionnalité: la conditionnalité de programme. Celle‐ci a comme principale caractéristique de restituer l'entière paternité des programmes aux pays sous‐développés. Grâce à cette caractéristique, l'on s'attend à ce que les PAS menés dans le cadre de la conditionnalité de programme soient plus efficaces, au sens où, ils seront appliqués de manière plus effective et plus complète.Dans cet article, nous soulignons le fait que l'analyse précédente omet un phénomène qui est une des principales sources de l'inefficacité des PAS. Il s'agit du comportement bureaucratique. A partir d'un modèle simple, nous essayons de montrer que le comportement bureaucratique peut contrarier l'efficacité attendue des programmes ou des réformes menés dans le cadre de la nouvelle conditionnalité.The current generation of structural adjustment and stabilization programs (SAP) is characterized by conditionalities. As a result, these programs have produced unsatisfactory outcomes since the countries consider them, as policies dictated from outside and consequently tend to apply them only partially. Faced with this failure, it appeared imperative to reformulate the conditionalities of SAP.With this in mind, various authors have proposed to replace the imposed conditionalities with a new conditionality, namely program conditionality. The major feature of this new conditionality will entail the restoration of the formulation and design of SAP for the developing countries. By means of this characteristic, it is envisaged that the SAP carried out under program conditionalities will be more effective in that they will be applied more rigourously and fully.In this article, we underscore the fact that the previous analysis omits a phenomenon, which is one of the principal causes of the ineffectiveness of SAP. This concerns bureaucratic behaviour. From a simple model, we strive to demonstrate that the bureaucratic conduct may hinder the effectiveness of the reform programs carried out under the new conditionalities.
Employment and Economic Growth in the Côte d'Ivoire: An Analysis of Structural Determinants
Authors: Fofana N'Zué Félix 
Published: March 2003

The present study investigated how economic growth and employment in the Ivorian modern private sector evolved over time, and the employment elasticities of selected variables. The empirical results suggest that employment and economic growth in the Côte d'Ivoire do not move together in the long run (they are not cointegrated), that is, jobless growth can occur and had occurred in the country. It also results from the econometric estimation that economic growth and employment were negatively correlated in the Côte d'Ivoire over the time period of analysis. The same negative correlation existed between employment and development aid. Unlike the above, investment is positively correlated with employment. Investment is therefore the key to tackle the crisis of unemployment and poverty.La présente étude avait pour objectif d'analyser l'évolution de la croissance économique et de l'emploi dans le secteur moderne privé ivoirien dans le temps, et les élasticités de l'emploi par rapport à un ensemble de variables. Les résultats empiriques suggèrent que l'emploi dans le secteur moderne privé et la croissance économique n'évoluent pas ensemble dans le long terme (ils ne sont pas cointégrés). Il appert donc de la possibilité d'une croissance sans emploi en Côte d'Ivoire. Les résultats de l'analyse économétrique suggèrent quant, eux, une corrélation négative entre le taux de croissance économique et celui de l'emploi sur la période d'analyse. Cette mé;me corrélation négative existe entre l'aide publique au développement et l'emploi moderne. A l'opposé des résultats ci‐dessus, l'analyse économétrique suggère aussi une relation positive entre l'investissement et l'emploi dans le secteur moderne privé. Il résulte par conséquent de ce qui précède que la clé de la lutte contre le chômage et la pauvreté est l'investissement orienté vers la création d'emploi.