Has the uniformity of banking regulation within the European Union restricted rather than encouraged sectoral development?

The recent international financial crisis exposed many of the frailties that exist within the European banking sector. One major decision taken by the European Commission was to transition the powers of the Committee of European Banking Supervisors to that of the European Banking Authority (EBA). Our analysis focuses primarily on the differing behaviour by each European country's banking sector to major shocks, namely that in the form of bank closures. It is then necessary to investigate and further understand the role that the European Banking Authority now possesses with regards to releasing sensitive announcements based on the underlying currents of the European Banking system as measured by domestic banking sector stock returns. Finally, we investigate the cultural characteristics that can be uncovered by analysing the responses of domestic banking sectors to uniform regulation. We present three key findings. First, European countries with more local banking networks in the form of credit unions, public banks or savings banks, generate greater levels of volatility when compared to that of their commercial counterparts, particularly in countries with more monopolistic sectors. Secondly, the announcements of the European Banking Authority generate significant volatility effects for the European banking sector at large, with particular emphasis on stress testing results, but also announcements based on recapitalisation, regulation and transparency. Finally, cultural distance effects are identified, indicating that peripheral states are experiencing more substantial volatility effects to European Banking Authority decisions. These results indicate that uniformity of regulation may in fact be hindering and restricting the growth of some domestic and more peripheral and locally designed banking sectors in the form of rules designed for commercial banking operations.     

Siting technological risks: cultural approaches and cross-cultural ethics

Are European national risk prevention regulations reflecting different cultural attitudes towards risk? This article replies positively to this question by elaborating the results of an investigation led between 2004 and 2008 by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. The investigation focused on the European national implementations of Article 12 of Directive Seveso II on Dangerous Substances (96/82/EC) and aimed at providing an overview of different methodological approaches to the matter of land use planning in areas subject to the risk of major accidents. Five countries were selected for in‐depth analysis and comparison. This article focuses on one aspect of their different approaches to land use planning in at‐risk areas that was not considered by the European investigation: the influence of national cultural backgrounds on the implementation of Article 12 within the respective national legislations and practices. To explain whether different cultural orientations may have affected them, the article refers to one cultural index in particular, namely the uncertainty‐avoidance index (UAI) proposed by the Dutch sociologist Geert Hofstede. This index provides a key of reading of the different methodological orientations adopted for regulating land uses in the vicinity of hazardous establishments in these countries; by applying it, the study demonstrates that different cultural attitudes towards uncertainty may be a determinant factor in the approaches to and the regulation of the matter of hazardous facility siting. In the conclusions, the regulatory as well as ethical implications of this finding are discussed.     

Management accounting in Europe: a view from Canada

On the basis of a reading ofManagement Accounting: European Perspectivesedited by Al Bhimani (1996) there appears to be no historical pan-European perspective on management accounting. However, following the advent of the relevance lost and strategic cost management movements, and especially activity-based costing, there does seem to be emerging a certain homogeneity in European management accounting practices. This commentary questions the intellectual and practical basis for these movements and activity-based costing. It also identifies some of the particular achievements of European management accounting researchers which are not covered in the book.     

Review of industrial safety management by international agreements and institutions

A review of the management of industrial safety on the basis of international agreements and institutions is presented. Focus is given to risks related to the chemical process industry. First, the key technical elements of the process to assess and manage industrial risks are described together with the related key legislative principles. Various techniques exist for the assessment of risk of industrial operations, and for the assessment of hazards to the environment and mankind. These techniques share common areas, e.g., with regard to data collection and interpretation, that offer the possibility of synergetic approaches via international agreements and institutions. In addition to technical risk assessment, cultural factors will need to be taken into account when addressing the topic of acceptable risk in any given social context. Next, various examples of current risk management frameworks in a multi‐ and bilateral context are given. Eventually, as a concrete example of an industrial risk management framework, the European Union's legislation to control major accident hazards, the Seveso II Directive, is discussed. An outlook on future actions concludes the paper.     

Management accounting practices in Europe: a perspective from the States

I provide a perspective from the States on four questions primarily based on information inManagement Accounting: European Perspectivesedited by Al Bhimani (1996). First, seven factors are identified as having shaped management accounting practices in European nations—academics, education, government, professional associations, consultants, technology, and the inter-nation transfer of information. Second, evidence supports the view that, across European nations, more changes are occurring in management accounting practice terminology and techniques than in the purposes and styles of using management accounting techniques. Third, evidence indicates that there is convergence across European nations in management accounting practices, especially in terminology and techniques, but less convergence in the purposes and styles of using techniques. Fourth, management accounting practices in European nations, particularly terminology and techniques, is converging on a global management accounting practice model. I propose that management accounting practices—particularly terminology and techniques—is converging across nations (at least for those firms that are affected by the global economy)anddiverging across industries both within and between nations.     

Towards sustainable development: A case in the Eastern Himalayas

This article is concerned with three areas of park conservation management in the eastern Himalayas in the context of the social and cultural effects on local peoples. Conservation areas can be protected only when local people benefit from the scheme or are no longer dependent on the protected resources. Buddhist cultural principles should be embraced in the system of park management in the eastern Himalayas to provide the basis for a people-oriented development process. Material welfare and spirituality are not mutually exclusive but can serve as principles for development based on Buddhist values in this region.     

Revisiting the European Asset Management Industry

During the last decade, the European asset management industry has undergone a period of unprecedented change. Europe has witnessed ten years of financial integration, driven in particular by various regulatory initiatives. But Europe has also been transformed in the geopolitical sense, with 12 new Member States and millions of new citizens of the European Union. Add to that a decade of rapid globalization and one financial crisis of historical proportions. But while Europe and its financial markets have evolved and the asset management industry has transformed itself, academic research has not kept pace. During the last ten years or so, the lack of systematic research on the structural dimensions of the asset management industry is striking. This article fills this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the European asset management industry at the end of the first decade of the 21^st century. We seek to provide explanations to the various differences observed between European countries. Using prior research as a basis, we also compare the characteristics of the industry to their standing at the turn of the century. This also includes assessing whether and to what extent the forecasts provided in prior research did materialize. We also try to find reasons for cases in which they did not. Finally, we ourselves offer a number of prognoses on the development of the European asset management over the coming years.     

浅析文化企业人力资源创新——基于美术文化企业人力资源管理现状分析

竞争日益激烈的文化市场竞争使越来越多的文化企业尤其是美术文化企业开始意识到仅仅重视文化本身和营销并不能使其保持优势,只有将人力资源与企业本身结合,才能衍生出企业独特的优势。本文试图通过美术文化企业人力资源管理的现状,探讨人力资源管理在企业中的作用,并探讨实现人力资源最优化的创新策略。     

From risk analysis in Europe to European risk analysis: the first ten years of SRA-E (1987-97)

Risk analysis has both a long past and a short history. This latter is written in the past 30 years. Technology's potential to create sometimes irreversible damage, as well as unprecedented improvement in standard of living, prompted the need for risk analysis. The Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) was created in the United States at the end of the 1970s. Its purpose was and is to bring together scientists and professionals concerned by issues of risk to health, safety and the environment, on an international and interdisciplinary basis. This article traces European participation in the SRA and recounts the founding of the chapter Society for Risk Analysis- Europe (SRA-E) in 1987. The composition of founding, Advisory and Executive Committees is given, as are themes and Directors of the seven Conferences held by SRA-E to date. SRA in 1987 counted 69 Europe-based members in 13 countries; in 1997, 25 countries are represented in SRA-Europe by 317 members. A trend is seen from a mainly geographic extension of SRA towards a more specific identity springing from risk research and management as practised today in Europe. The multicultural and multilingual experience of members, and their capacity for collaboration across national and disciplinary lines, are among European risk analysis' strongest assets. The present Journal of Risk Research can provide a forum for reinforcing new currents in risk analysis. The creation of a European university cursus in risk studies is recommended, as is a stronger role for SRA-E as a body of expertise. A call is made for risk analysis sustainable in national and cultural contexts removed from those that have developed today's art and practice: needed are appropriate conceptualizations of risk, management methods, and indicators of success. The Mediterranean basin and North Africa are targeted as areas for development and new learning for risk analysts, communicators, managers and researchers in the 21st century.     

The Evolution of Bookkeeping in China: Integrating Historical Trends with Western Influences

This article reviews the development of Chinese single-entry bookkeeping, the emergence of Chinese double-entry bookkeeping and evolutionary trends from single entry to double entry. It identifies the invention and basic nature of Chinese double-entry methods which have reflected cultural changes from within the society. Given this historical perspective, conclusions are drawn about the nature of social and economic change in China and the impact of outside cultural influences. Of particular importance to the timing of progress is the primitive form of double entry entitled Three Feet. This had its gestation about the same time as European innovations were occurring in response to economic and cultural changes which sponsored bookkeeping methods as described by Pacioli. A critical question for examination at present is whether cultural evolution in China can yet support complete integration of its own accounting principles and fundamental philosophies with Western accounting methods. This has proved to be difficult in the past.     

The Cascade of Fear: Policy Implementation and Financial Management Reform in the European Commission

The complexity of managing European Union (EU) spending programmes is the subject of much comment but relatively little academic analysis. Using a multi‐disciplinary analytical framework drawn from the management, policy and social sciences, this fieldwork‐based case study examines the reform of financial management within the European Commission. In constructing an agent focussed narrative of a specific reform episode, it contributes to a growing literature on public management reform analysed from this perspective and also to the lightly developed field of EU financial management.     

Genetically modified plants and the precautionary principle

The European regulation of genetically modified plants is a particular example of technological risk management that has become an essential part of the management of change. The role of regulators in this management process, when there are demands for regulatory action concerning unquantified (and sometimes unquantifiable) technological risks – with regulation under conditions of uncertainty – is explored. Where the retrospective evidence concerning a postulated risk scenario is sparse, the precautionary principle (PP) may be invoked. The origins of the European regulatory system, which applied until 17 October 2002 (Directive 90/220), why this has been revised (Directive 2001/18) and the probable impact of this revision are described. This is illustrated with risk assessments that have accompanied submissions for marketing approval for genetically modified plants under Directive 90/220. Some of the problems associated with the PP and the regulation of GM plants are discussed.     

Hard and soft law approaches to addressing psychosocial risks in Europe: lessons learned in the development of the Italian approach

Psychosocial risks in the workplace have been identified as some of the most significant emerging risks, particularly since issues such as work-related stress, which is closely linked to psychosocial risks, are widely recognised as major challenges in modern occupational safety and health. This paper presents the policy framework and key initiatives that have been implemented for the management of psychosocial risks in the workplace in Europe. It discusses several approaches and initiatives, both from a hard and soft law perspective, that have been implemented at European Union and national level. Within this context, it discusses the key issues that pertain to the development of national approaches, focussing as an example on the Management Standards for work-related stress developed in the UK and their recent adaptation in Italy. The Italian approach is discussed in detail as an example that may highlight key process elements in the development of psychosocial risk management policies, and promote good practice in this area through lessons learned. It is concluded that it is more pressing now than ever for a critical evaluation of efforts employed so far to address psychosocial risks to be conducted, and an approach at European level to be developed that will allow both flexibility and a certain level of benchmarking across members states. Such an approach can be supported by European bodies, responsible for surveillance and promotion of good practice, working in collaboration with similar national bodies.     

Of great apes and robots: Considering the future(s) of cultural heritage

Because cultural heritage management is an inherently retrospective discipline, too many valuable heritage places were lost because they are not recognised and assessed in time. This paper advances strategic thinking in cultural heritage management by addressing two on-the-horizon and over-the-horizon issues: the management of artefacts created by our closest relatives, the great apes; and the management of artefacts created in the future by the first artificial intelligence (AI)-imbued, self-reflecting robots.Given the increasing understanding that chimpanzees have cultures and traditions in tool use, there is a need to recognise their heritage value in reference to human evolution. Likewise, it is now also time to explore how we are going to deal with the non-human, robotid artefacts. The contemplation of the role of non-human heritage will ultimately foster a re-appraisal of human heritage. The paper outlines some of the conceptual issues that need to be addressed if our heritage is to have an ethical future.     

Errors and weaknesses detected by the European Court of Auditors in the reports on the European Structural Funds 2000–2004

The present paper shows the weaknesses and the errors detected by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in the reports regarding the Structural Funds (the European Social Fund (ESF); the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, ‘Guidance’ section (EAGGF-Guidance), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)), presented by 15 countries of the European Union from the year 2000 to 2004. We have classified the said countries in four groups, regarding the date of their EU incorporation. The main aim of our work is to highlight the errors made by the Member States on the management and control of the structural funds received from the EU, analysing the likely causes and consequences of such errors.     

The effects of national culture on the role of participation in different task situations

Prior studies primarily in Anglo-American and Asian cultural settings have found that budgetary participation interacts with reliance on accounting performance measures and task situations to affect managerial attitudes. Researchers have questioned if such findings can also be found in different cultural environments. As France has a high power distance and high individualism culture which is different from those of both the Anglo-American and Asian nations, this study investigates if such cultural differences may affect the findings of prior studies. Based on a sample of 44 French managers, the results indicate a similar significant three-way interaction effect. However, they also indicate that French managers have low levels of budgetary participation. Participation also has an insignificant effect on managers' job satisfaction in high task difficulty situations. These results are contrary to those of prior studies in Anglo-American and Asian cultural settings and may have important implications for the study of cultural effects on management control systems.     

Success of activity management practices: the influence of organizational and cultural factors

This study examines the success of activity management practices and the organizational and cultural factors affecting success at each of Gosselin's (1997) three levels of activity analysis (AA), activity cost analysis (ACA) and activity‐based costing (ABC). Data were collected by survey questionnaire from a random sample of managers of Australian business units. The results indicate that activity management is moderately successful in Australian organizations, with greater use associated with higher levels of success. Two organizational factors (top management support and link to quality) were associated with success at each of Gosselin's three levels, whereas training was associated at the AA and ACA levels. The cultural factor of outcome orientation was associated with success at each level, with attention to detail important at the ABC level. Organizational factors were more strongly associated with activity management success than cultural factors.     

构建我国城商行新型管理文化的思考

导语:城商行是我国现代商业银行体系的重要组成部分,在服务实体经济、支持中小企业发展和满足城乡金融需要中发挥着不可或缺的重要作用。未来一段时期,城商行群体极有可能经历一次优胜劣汰的大洗牌:实力强的将进一步发展壮大,实力弱的将不断萎缩,甚至被兼并或淘汰。追根溯源,城商行实力强弱的"分水岭"与管理文化品质的高低紧密相关。因此,构建符合城商行自身特点、科学完善的新型管理文化,使其融入到经营管理实践的各个方面,以"文化"升华"管理",对于城商行形成新的核心竞争力、实现高质量可持续发展具有十分重要的现实意义。     

Have IFRS Affected Earnings Management in the European Union?

There has recently been considerable discussion of those features of IFRS that are likely to help improve financial reporting in the European Union. However, certain issues may also have a negative impact on the quality of information. This paper focuses on the effect of IFRS on earnings management. Its main purpose is to examine whether the adoption of IFRS in the European Union has increased or decreased the scope for discretionary accounting practices by comparing discretionary accruals in the periods preceding and immediately after the regulatory change. Another objective is to determine which firms' features and country factors may explain the accounting discretion observed before and after IFRS. We consider a sample of non-financial firms listed on 11 EU stock markets. The results obtained show that earnings management has intensified since the adoption of IFRS in Europe, as discretionary accruals have increased in the period following implementation. The variables explaining accounting discretion are the same before and after IFRS (business size, leverage, investor protection and legal enforcement). These results suggest that variations in earnings management might be due to some room for manipulation under international standards when compared with local standards.     

欧盟银行卡产业变革及启示

近年来,欧盟"单一欧元支付区"建设带来了银行卡产业的深刻变革。本文试图通过分析欧盟银行卡产业政策和市场结构的变化,为我国银行卡产业发展以及中欧银行卡产业合作探寻一些经验。研究发现,欧盟已经形成了以市场准入、规则监管和风险监控为主的三位一体的监管模式,泛欧自主银行卡品牌建设也取得了突破性进展,其中的理论与实践对我国银行卡产业发展具有重要的借鉴价值。