Exploring Proactiveness as a Moderator in the Process of Perceiving Industrial Munificence: A Field Study of SMEs in Four Countries

Utilizing information processing theory, we investigated the role that proactiveness plays in the organizational process of perceiving objective industrial munificence. Specifically, we examined the moderating effect of proactiveness in the munificence perception process, as well as the mediating impact of perceived munificence on the relationship between objective munificence and firm performance. Data collected from 227 companies in four countries and seven manufacturing industries support both hypotheses. The implications of these findings for managerial practice and future research are discussed.     

A content analysis of CPA advertising in national print media from 1979 to 1984

Certified Public Accountants were not allowed to advertise from 1922 to 1977. Even though the AICPA Code was changed in 1978, there has been continued discussion and disagreement among practitioners about whether accountants should advertise. A content analysis of 38 publications (over a six year period) from industry/trade, accounting, and general business was performed in order to determine where advertisments appeared, timing, frequency and to whom CPAs were advertising as well as the message content, components, and objectives of the advertisements. Of 812 advertisements, 71% were from Big Eight firms. The advertisements promoting services not requiring CPA certification and were found mostly in industry/trade publications. The number of advertisements increased through the years except for 1982. Advertising by CPA firms still appears to be conservative in numbers; however, the trend indicates that such advertising will increase in the future.     

The Challenges Faced by Reporting Entities on Their Transition to International Financial Reporting Standards: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study explores the challenges of implementing International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at the organisational level. Based on interviews with experts with aggregated experience relating to the transition projects of over 170 reporting entities, this paper highlights the main challenges in delivering a successful implementation of IFRS. The findings show that the problems faced in implementation include lack of education and training, securing executive-level support, identifying and responding to the wider business-related implications of the transition, and issues with capturing the necessary information for reporting under IFRS.This paper complements the existing literature and offers a qualitative alternative to considering the transition to IFRS, offering insight into the organisational context of IFRS implementation. These insights are useful not only from a historic perspective, but also for organisations and regulators in the many jurisdictions where IFRS is permitted but not required, where more reporting entities will voluntarily move to IFRS-based reporting in the future. More broadly, they are also applicable to the challenges faced in implementing new and significantly revised IFRSs.     

The effect of NYSE listing on a firm’s media visibility

The most frequently cited reason by corporate managers for switching their firm’s trading location from Nasdaq to the NYSE is to improve visibility. This study examines whether these perceptions about listing are real or illusory and whether firm size affects media visibility. Based on a large sample of firms that listed on the NYSE compared with a matched sample of firms remaining on Nasdaq, the results show that NYSE listing does not lead to gains in media visibility during the period immediately after listing. Over a longer period, small- and medium-sized firms experience significant gains in media visibility compared with large firms. Additional tests show that increased media coverage is attributable much more to the rapid earnings growth before listing than to listing. Therefore, managers erroneously attribute the visibility gains to NYSE listing.