Effectiveness of Budgetary Entities

This paper acquaints readers with the practice of effectiveness evaluation in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to study performance measurement according to the changes in public sector reform by focusing on performance-based budgeting in Russia. This paper suggests that the construction process of performance measurement should be aligned with outputs and outcomes of budget policy. The main research materials for this paper are based on data from a survey and follow-up interviews of budgetary managers and accountants. The survey result sets priorities and weighted some indicators to the measurement of effectiveness in the public sector. The data of this study were not large, but the study led to understanding how effectiveness is seen by budgetary managers and how measurement systems should be structured. Texts and contents from different sources such as financial annual reports and budgetary entities＇ websites provided insightful and interesting findings.     

Evaluating Board Roles Performance in Adopting Corporate Social Responsibility （CSR） Practices

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the board roles that make a board effective in the performance of adopting corporate social responsibility （CSR） practices. This paper examines directors＇ perceptions of the three main roles： monitoring, service, and strategic, which provide tools for critically understanding how the board adds the value in moving the organization towards more CSR practices. The stakeholder theory is used to distinguish the influence of the three main roles on the adoption of CSR practices. Primary data were collected for this research by conducting structured questionnaires with a sample of 461 directors from Saudi listed companies for study purpose. The results show that an appropriate mix of directors＇ roles and the development of sound board monitoring and service roles are the most crucial determinants of CSR adoption in Saudi listed companies. As the extant corporate governance and CSR literatures do not provide a clear perspective with contradictory outcomes about board roles in influencing CSR practices, the originality of this research is its contribution by evaluating the directors＇ perceptions of developing a direct relationship between the board roles and the adoption of CSR practices. Furthermore, the use of the stakeholder theory provides additional insights into identifying the most influential board role factors enhancing stakeholders＇ expectations of CSR practices.     

Positive study on the construction of consumption online platforms in colleges ＆ universities

Currently, online shopping has become an option in people＇s daily consumption, especially for large groups of college students. Based on the practical research of consumers groups of college students, this paper analyzes the affecting factors on consumers＇ satisfaction among groups of college students, and also tests the affecting factors. Thus, the authors give their proposals on how to build the consumer online platforms in colleges and universities, and the prospects forecast on the campus online market.     

Introductory course in accounting-Factors affecting the choice of students＇ consideration

This study attempts to investigate if and how students＇ perceptions regarding the first accounting course related with the selection of accounting as a major. Moreover, it examines students＇ initial perceptions and course performance regarding the introductory accounting course. Participants in this study were 120 students from Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, School of Business and Economics （3 departments）, who were asked to complete a survey instrument. The instrument used eleven statements regarding students＇ perceptions （such as difficulty and motivation of the course） of the first accounting course. The main factors affect students＇ decisions to follow accounting and seem to be similar with other researchers＇ findings （Geiger ＆ Ogilby, 2000）. Future research could be used larger sample from different countries and the survey could also be used for a longer time period.     

Leader＇s Human Capital as an Alternative for Relational Leadership

The current research attempts to revitalize contingency leadership theory. Instead of focusing on subordinate attributes as a substitute for leadership theory, this study examines leader＇s human capital attributes as a leadership contingency variable. This paper offers a fresh perspective to contingency leadership literature by exploring a new set of variables. Addressing leader-member exchange （LMX） rather than the conventional focus on leader＇s behaviors, this study examines previously untested contingency variables. Using a matched sample of leaders and employees from Portuguese firms, this study examines leader＇s education and leader＇s organizational tenure as alternatives for LMX with assessed job performance and organizational citizenship as dependent variables. Testing new independent variables sheds additional light on contingency approaches to leadership; as a result, this paper improves the current state of research on contingency leadership. Results seem to indicate that leader＇s education is an alternative for LMX as well as suggesting that the leader＇s organizational tenure improves LMX. This paper proposes that research focusing on the substitute for leadership may need to examine a different set of variables to determine the viability of contingency approaches to leadership.     

Teachers＇ teaching innovation abilities in financial management courses

Teachers＇ teaching innovation abilities in financial management courses are very important to train the major of financial management undergraduate students＇ innovation sense, spirits and abilities. This paper firstly explores the structure of teaching innovation abilities, characteristics of creative teachers. Secondly, combined with teaching practice, this paper inquires into how to explore students＇ innovative abilities, how to teach differently according to different students, and how to guide correctly. Finally, from the perspective of department and office environments, continuing education and teachers＇ self-questioning, this paper probes into how to train professional teachers＇ teaching innovation abilities in financial management courses.     

The Influence of Questioning in English Classroom Teaching of Reading

The classroom questions are suggestions of teaching.It means there are sentences inquiring the form or inquiring the function in any to question.Teaching begins with the questions and moves forward with further questions.The core of the questioning process in middle school is teacher＇s questioning,students answering,and then it is the teacher that reacts to students＇ answers.Questioning is considered as the core of the effective teaching method,questions through the classroom,can inspire students＇ thinking,can give full play to the role of the teacher＇s leading role and students＇ subject.So,it is a kind of important teaching method.It is the important way to train student＇s innovation ability too.This paper analyzed that the present problems of questioning in the classroom so as to promote the efficiency of English teaching.     

Implementing Sustainability Reporting （SR）： （Neo-） Institutional Theory Insights in the Analysis of the SGR Group,Italy and CityGas,Bulgaria

The aim of this paper is to investigate how the corporate characteristics and contextual factors influence the choice of managers in initiating the sustainability report/reporting （SR） and to understand the role of organisational dynamics. The research design develops through a deductive and inductive approach. The deductive approach is based on an analysis of the Social and Environmental Accounting Research （SEAR） strands which use the theoretical framework of （neo-） institutional theory to inquire the adoption and diffusion of SR. The inductive method is based on a research case that focuses on the SGR Group. ＂How can the rico-institutional theory help explain the process of SGR＇s SR implementation in Italian and Bulgarian companies＂？ The study identifies both the internal and contextual factors associated with the SR development and the regulative, normative, and cognitive dimensions/factors that affect the implementation and institutionalisation of SR in Italy and Bulgaria, in accordance with the different institutional environments in which the social and sustainability accounting projects are developed.     

What are affecting earnings quality： A summarization

Researches on factors that affecting earnings quality are significant for regulators＇ decisions and the improving of earnings quality. After reviewing the research findings on what are affecting earnings qualities from the following 6 fields： accounting standards, firm characteristics, board and auditing committees＇ characteristics, managerial characteristics, auditing firm characteristics and other factors, the author conclude the current findings and foresee the future research focus on earnings quality.     

Prediction Ability of Cash Flows,Net Income （NI）, and Auditors

The accounting information should help investors and creditors evaluate the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of firms＇ future cash receipts and disbursements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board （FASB） contends that accrual-based historical earnings are superior to cash flows in predicting future cash flows. But, Bowen, Burgstahler, and Daley （1986） showed that traditional measures of cash flows （net income （NI） plus depreciation and working capital from operations） appear to be better predictors of future cash flows than accrual accounting earnings. Since then, many researchers have articulated the importance of accounting data, especially cash flows and NI, in the predictive and forecasting processes. In this study, we empirically re-examined the ability of cash flows from operating activities （CFO） and accrual-based NI in predicting firms＇ bankruptcy. In the past, the results of this type of research were mixed. Differently from previous research, we focus on the timing of predictive ability, i.e., which indicator, cash flows or NI, is faster in predicting a firm＇s bankruptcy. We also investigate the timing of auditors＇ issuance of a going-concern opinion. The preliminary results show that the accrual-based NI is more accurate and faster than either CFO or audit opinion in predicting firms＇ failures. On average, NI signals a firm＇s bankruptcy 2.41 years before the bankruptcy filing, while CFO signals 1.48 years before filing. Auditors issued a going-concern opinion, another signal for firms＇ failure, to only 16 out of 41 bankrupt firms one year before bankruptcy, and no auditor issued the going-concern opinion two years before bankruptcy.     

The Role of Accountants in Decision-Making in Lebanese Firms

The issue of accountants＇ role in decision-making has been the center of attention of lots of studies in the last decade but never did it get the adequate coverage in Lebanon. This paper studies to what extent accountants are involved in the managerial decision-making in Lebanon. Two hundred experienced accountants from all over the country were randomly selected for a questionnaire survey. This survey provides evidence as to what factors contribute to the variance of influence accountants have in managerial decision-making. The results from the questionnaires varied, but we conclude that accountants＇ involvement in new product development （NPD）, the skills that accountants have, their role in the financial analysis of the firm, and how much the finn they work for encourages them to advice on business decisions affect the degree of contribution an accountant has to decision-making. The findings of this research could be used as a reference to help in understanding the role of accounting in Lebanon by various finns and organizations.     

Does a deviation between the rights and obligations of the board and controlling shareholders affect firm value？

This study examines the association between firm value and ownership structure, when board and controlling stockholders＇ voting rights deviate from obligations. The measurement of the corporate governance variables is different from prior research. The author further investigates whether monitoring mechanisms can alleviate the agency problem due to percentage of outside directors. The empirical results show that the higher board voting rights-obligations is deviated, which means the weaker relation with the firm value. The author also finds the monitoring from outside directors can reduce the agency problems from board＇s deviation and thus can improve firm value. But the results of the controlling stockholders＇ deviation are mixed or insignificant. This research has implications for Taiwan＇s regulators who are striving to improve the information, transparency, and corporate governance of board and controlling shareholders＇ voting rights-obligations deviation.     

Determinants of international joint venture performance measurement： A theoretical framework

International joint ventures （IJVs） have increasingly their role in business world and also in research field of international business. There have been a lot of studies related to determinant factors of IJV performance. However, there are very few studies focusing on the measurement of I Jr performance. Especially, researchers have ignored how foreign parent firms really choose their measures in the evaluation of their IJV performance. This research investigates determinant factors of performance measures of 1JVs. Determinant factors of IJV performance measures include motives for establishment, establishment mode, location of IJVs, distribution of ownership in IJVs, cultural background of parent firms, and trust between partners, IJV life stages, parent firms＇ international experience, and relatedness of the IJVs to their parents. Performance measures are divided into financial measures and non-financial measures. The paper shows how different determinant factors are expected to lead foreign parent firms preferring one kind of measure over the other.     

The Demographic Impact on Credit Scores＂ Evidence From Statistical Methods and Geographic Information Systems （GIS） Mapping

Average credit scores for people in the United States （US） differ from state to state. Some states have high, and some states have low average credit scores. Since lenders and employers use credit scores to make loan and employment decisions, people living in states where average credit scores are high should experience the benefits of living where credit scores tend to allow more favorable loan and employment decisions. Although credit scores are the direct result of credit histories, credit histories may be impacted by demographic factors. If the demographic factors that impact credit histories are identified, ways to improve credit scores are likely to be discovered and available to people and state government policymakers. This study looks for demographic factors to indirectly explain the average credit scores for people living in each state of the US. The methodology includes statistical analyses and geographic information systems （GIS） mapping. Statistical analyses provide evidence to suggest that state average credit scores are explained by the demographic factors of education, family, income, and health. GIS mapping reveals clusters of states with similar demographics and credit scores.     

A Study of the Awareness Level of Takaful Products Among Micro Enterprises in Malaysia

The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） play a vital role in the development of the Malaysian economy through its contribution of 32% of the country＇s growth domestic product （GDP）. However, the recent global financial crisis has exposed these enterprises to plausible risks that have resulted in some businesses being shuttered. Such predicament shows how crucial it is for SMEs to be prepared with some form of protection or Takaful to mitigate impending risks. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which micro enterprises are aware of Takaful and the benefits of its products. The study was conducted on respondents who fall into micro enterprise category located in Johor, Malaysia, and the research process involves a case study method which is in-depth interviews. The results of the current study provide an insight into how Takaful is regarded among SMEs and the need for these enterprises to be protected.     

Accounting Education Changes in USA and Its Implications to PRC

The internationalization of accounting education in PRC as one of the most important parts of Chinese accounting internationalization has been Americanized to some extent since 1980s. As the representative of the world＇s most advanced education system, the USA accounting education is worth learning, but had been suffering from a crisis in the past 20 years. To better understand this crisis and draw some lessons from it, we have to review the 100-year history of the US＇ accounting education, identify key initiatives taken to struggle out, and conclude that this accounting education crisis in USA is due to its congenital professional examination orientation and about 40 years of deviation of accounting education from accounting practice. This paper is ended with some policy recommendations on the future development of accounting education in PRC including establishing university board of trustees and re-engineering accounting programs.     

Several Theoretical Problems Concerning PhD Candidate＇s Education in the Area of Modern Management Accounting

This paper consists of five parts： Part one： ＂Modem Management Accounting Has Been Confronting with Serious Crises＂ points out that accompanied by the management systems shifting from material basis to human （knowledge） basis, and the IT developing rapidly, the management accountants＇ services that continue to remain at original level would become no useful very soon. Part two： ＂PhD Candidates＇ Education Would Be Essential to Develop Their Disciplines＇ Scholarship＂ explores the main peculiarities of PhD candidates＇ education, and why the development of PhD Candidates＇ Creative thinking should be permeated through the doctoral programs from the beginning to the end, so as to make them possible to develop their disciplines＇ scholarship. Part three： ＂The Quality Requirements of PhD Candidates in the Area of Modern Management Accounting＂ explains in detail why the development of management accounting should shift from the quantitative perspective to humanistic perspective so that management accountants can play an important role in the process of decision-making on the basis of employing their comprehension thinking that is a kind of humanistic thinking. This paper views this direction of development is essential to promote management accountants＇ self-impendence and self-vitality and to eliminate their crises cited above as well in the new historical era. Part Four： ＂The Key Points of the Doctoral Program in Modem Management Accounting＂ explores how to implement a doctoral program successfully in order to develop PhD Candidates＇ Creative Thinking, carrying forward academic democracy emphasized. Part Five： ＂Conclusion＂ points out how the topics discussed in this paper are linked up each other, and why and how the new developing tendency of management accounting is essential to make this discipline more suitable to the development of knowledge economy.     

Empirical study on factors motivating business students to move to the entrepreneurial sector

This exploratory study is attempting to examine how employable individuals turn their focus to start-ups. Today, majority of employees still practice a more or less self-protective strategy. In this paper the authors have reported the results of an empirical study of factors motivating degreed potential employees to move to self-enterprising. The deciding factors to become an entrepreneur and of sustainable employment-oriented factors are analyzed in order to discover how they differ. Participants consisted of 200 students from Malaysia entered final year of business undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data on factors and types of relationships influencing career choice and entrepreneurial intention. The results will serve as a basis for improvement of employment practices and promising entrepreneurial curriculum in universities to support start-ups in creating sustainable businesses.     

Office Channeling and Its Impact on the Growth of Indonesian Islamic Banking Industry

The purpose of this paper is to analyze that the office channeling policy that based on Bank Indonesia＇s rule No. 8/3/PBI/2006 had an impact on the growth of Islamic banking industry in Indonesia. This research used ordinary least square regression to analyze the impact of office channeling policy on the growth of Indonesian Islamic banking industry. The variable used in this paper is office channeling which is used as a dummy variable, and margin deposit and non-performing financing （NPF） are also used as control variables. The indicators of the growth of Indonesian Islamic banking industry are asset and third-party funds. The result shows that office channeling does not have an impact on the growth of Islamic banking industry which is measured by asset growth and third-party funds growth. According to this result, Bank Indonesia should have an innovative policy to stimulate the Islamic banking industry growth in Indonesia.