Emerald | Pacific Accounting Review | Table of Contents

Corporate governance and different types of voluntary disclosure: Evidence from Malaysian listed firms

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Poh-Ling Ho, Grantley Taylor) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate governance on voluntary disclosure of different types of information in annual reports of Malaysian listed firms. Design/methodology/approach – A linear regression model is used to test the association between the level of voluntary disclosure of five key information categories and corporate governance. The sample consists of 100 firms over three different socio-economic periods: 1996, 2001 and 2006. Findings – There are significant increases in all the key information categories with better communication most pronounced between 1996 and 2001, and a noticeably lower level of communication growth between 2001 and 2006. The strength of a firm's corporate governance structure clearly influences the voluntary disclosure of information relating to corporate and strategic directions, directors and senior management, financial and capital markets, forward-looking projections and corporate social responsibility in 2001 and 2006. Research limitations/implications – The use of a governance index to arrive at an overall corporate governance score has the potential to mask major underlying relationships of individual governance attributes. The use of the self-constructed disclosure indices may also omit certain information items that are employed in other prior studies. Moreover, the different categories of disclosures are solely constructed on the information disclosed in the annual reports without considering the alternative avenues. Practical implications – The results will assist regulators and policy-makers to better understand the impact of corporate governance on the voluntary disclosure of different types of corporate information in Malaysia. Originality/value – This study generates evidence of the changing scene of management voluntary disclosure practices embedded in the corporate governance framework in a developing country with an emerging capital market.

Using asynchronous discussion forums to create social communities of practice in financial accounting

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to examine students' perceptions of the use of asynchronous discussion forums to facilitate case-based learning in financial accounting, measuring whether students' perceptions of the benefits of using online discussion forums are related to – and can be predicted from – students' demographic profiles. The paper commences by briefly reviewing the case study-based learning literature, followed by an in-depth review of the use of asynchronous discussion forums as a delivery platform. These pedagogical approaches are then linked to the emerging needs and learning styles of the current generation of “digital” students. Design/methodology/approach – The study, which is questionnaire-based, uses data collected from two New Zealand universities. A choice modelling approach is used to analyse the data in order to correlate students' preferences for online discussion forum usage with their profiles. Findings – The findings of the study indicate that students perceive numerous benefits to be associated with case-based online discussions, including learning from other students' opinions and perspectives, the opportunity to debate issues critically, encouragement to think independently, a heightened awareness of their communication ability and assisting them to revise prior-held views of accounting. These findings, supported by students' comments, suggest that the use of asynchronous discussion forums has created a social discourse of learning, assisting in the construction of a community of practice in financial accounting. The choice modelling analysis of the results indicates that the students most likely to be positively disposed towards discussion groups are older, male, domestic students, who have English as a first language. Of the international student respondents, Asian students perceive the forum as being most useful. Originality/value – The study provides evidence that accounting students perceive value from the use of asynchronous discussion forums. Furthermore, the choice modelling identifies which particular groups of students may benefit most from the use of online discussion forums. The findings suggest that accounting educators may gainfully employ this learning technique in their courses as a means of developing critical thinking skills, building a heightened awareness of the student's ability to communicate and enhancing overall student engagement and participation in course work.

An analysis of Australian company carbon emission disclosures

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Bo Bae Choi, Doowon Lee, Jim Psaros) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to report the extent of voluntary carbon emission disclosures by major Australian companies during the years 2006 to 2008. This paper provides contemporary data and explanations about carbon emissions reporting in Australia. Additionally, the paper aims to determine the variables that explain the extent of carbon disclosures. Design/methodology/approach – The carbon disclosure score is measured directly from individual companies' annual reports and sustainability reports. A checklist is established to determine the breadth and depth of the information related to climate change and carbon emissions incorporated in these publicly available reports. Findings – The overall carbon disclosure score has increased significantly over the authors' research period. Furthermore, regression results show that larger firms with higher visibility tend to make more comprehensive carbon disclosures. Overall, the authors' results indicate that the legislation of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (the NGER Act) in 2007 may have enhanced the voluntary carbon emission disclosures in 2008, even though the NGER Act was not operative until the 2009 financial year. From a theoretical perspective, the findings of the paper are consistent with legitimacy theory. Originality/value – Previous studies examining environmental disclosures in Australia are based on a time period prior to widespread public discussion and interest in climate change and carbon emissions. By investigating voluntary disclosures made by large Australian companies around the time that the mandatory emission reporting scheme was introduced, this paper investigates whether the prominence of discussion and impending operation of the mandatory environmental disclosures have led to a greater extent of voluntary carbon disclosures. The findings can help regulators draft appropriate legislation that targets industries and specific practices where disclosure is of greatest importance to relevant stakeholders. In addition, an understanding of who and why entities disclose carbon gas emission information can arm green groups and other stakeholders with an appropriate level of understanding about the motivation for such disclosures.

Technology transfer in proto-professional accounting: The Auckland Gas Company, 1862-1892

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Michael G. Keenan) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how accounting technology transfers from the centre of the British Empire contributed to the early professionalisation of accounting and auditing practices in a New Zealand public utility company – the Auckland Gas Company – while it was operating in a colonial, pioneer, settler society. Design/methodology/approach – An explanatory historical narrative links the company's inward transfers of accounting technology to the developing professionalisation of its accounting practices. Different analytical frameworks are used to combine the two components of the narrative: those of Jeremy for technology transfers, and Carnegie and Edwards for stages in the professionalisation process. The narrative is informed by archival research on the annual reports and financial statements of the company, and the minutes of its directors' meetings. Findings – Accounting technology transfers are identified in the company's adoption of British accounting regulations, its appointment of skilled immigrants, and their adoption of contemporary English gas companies' accounting practices. Proto-professional accounting, i.e. the earliest stage of accounting professionalisation as the practice changes from non-professional to professional, is evidenced in the change in accountants' and auditors' work from unpaid to paid, and in their exercise of more specialised skills. Effects of technology transfer on the professionalisation of the company's accounting practices are traced through changes in its accounting methods, internal control systems, external reporting forms, and the auditing of its accounts. Originality/value – The paper's focus on technology transfer in proto-professional accounting in a New Zealand setting is an original contribution to the literature on accounting technology transfers between different countries in different periods.

Does public services accounting belong in the curriculum?

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Carolyn Cordery) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the extent to which undergraduate courses in New Zealand contain content on issues from the public and not-for-profit sectors, in addition to a for-profit business focus. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on the premise that contextually-appropriate accounting is required within the public services sphere where transactions are complex and ambiguous, have a long-term focus, and where the government often performs a regulatory role. It is informed by a survey of educators, document reviews and semi-structured interviews. Findings – This research finds that profit-oriented financial accounting education in New Zealand crowds out the teaching of public services content, especially when the same accounting concepts can be applied to all sectors. The imposition of sector-specific accounting standards offers an opportunity to highlight public services, but its inclusion in a crowded curriculum may require coercion from the profession. Originality/value – This paper offers a contemporary analysis of the focus of teaching in New Zealand at a time when accounting standards and auditing regulation is on the brink of change.

Taxation Issues: Existing and Emerging

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Andrew M.C. Smith) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

2012 Awards for Excellence

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100