Winter 2006
THE JOURNAL OF APPLIED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
JAMAR INFORMATION -DOWNLOAD HERE
Editorial
The Valuation and Reporting of Reputation Risk Management Capability
By Janek Ratnatunga
Abstract
This paper advances some issues related to an accountor’s evaluation of the worth of a corporation. By ‘accountor’ it is meant a body of persons who the future worth of the corporation. It is therefore argued that several more dimensions of the firm have to be audited or evaluated by accountors, not just the accuracy of the worth of the firm based on the past transactions. Such an evaluation should also include the governance quality of the management.
The paper proposes that the firm should be evaluated in terms of its‘ capability’ to protect and enhance its reputation and hence its future earning power; and that Risk Management is a strategic accounting approach in which a firm’s reputation risk is not only both managed and enhanced, but also reported and attested.
Finally, the paper suggests an approach that auditors can take to determine a firm’s strategic capability of sustaining and generating value via reputation enhancement.
Keywords
Brand Value; IFRS; Reputation risk Management; Reliability & Relevance; Corporate Reporting Frameworks; Triple Bottom Line; Corporate Governance; Strategic Audits
Articles
A Dynamic Ratio-Based Model for Signaling Corporate Collapse
By Ghassan Hossari
Abstract
The recognition of behavioural elements in finance has caused major shifts in the analytic framework pertaining to ratio-based modeling of corporate collapse. The modeling approach so far has been based on the classical rational theory in behavioural economics, which assumes that the financial ratios (i.e., the predictors of collapse) are static over time. The paper argues that, in the absence of rational economic theory, a static model is flawed, and that a suitable model instead is one that reflects the heuristic behavioural framework, which is what characterises behavioural attributes of company directors and in turn influences the accounting numbers used in calculating the financial ratios. This calls for a dynamic model: dynamic in the sense that it does not rely on a coherent assortment of financial ratios for signaling corporate collapse over multiple time periods.
This paper provides empirical evidence, using a data set of Australian publicly listed companies, to demonstrate that a dynamic model consistently outperforms its static counterpart in signaling the event of collapse. On average, the overall predictive power of the dynamic model is 86.83% compared to an average overall predictive power of 69.35% for the static model.
Keywords
Corporate Collapse; Bankruptcy Prediction; Behavioural Finance; Classical Rational Theory; Heuristic Behavioural Theory; Financial Ratios; Multiple Discriminant Analysis
The Effect of Management Style and Management Accounting System Design on Performance
By David Naranjo-Gil and Marcel van Rinsum
Abstract
This study focuses on the relationship between the design of the management accounting system, management style and the effects on organisational performance. This paper analyses the links between these variables based on a contingency approach. It contributes to the existing literature by providing additional evidence on the relationships between these variables within the public healthcare sector. The study distinguishes between innovative vs. traditional management accounting system designs and proactive vs. reactive management style. Data is collected from CEOs in public hospitals. A two-fold analysis involving interviews and a questionnaire was adopted thus enabling a systematic and comprehensive analysis.
Keywords
Management Accounting System; Performance Measurement; Management Style; Contingency fit
The Consequences of Culture on Shareholder Activism in Malaysia
By Elsa Satkunasingam and Bala Shanmugam
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the role played by minority shareholders in upholding good corporate governance within a Malaysian environment. Unlike many developed countries, the major investors in the Malaysian capital market comprise government agencies or family-owned corporations. These institutional shareholders are not always in the best position to uphold good corporate governance practices as there is a conflict of interest where the role of the owners and managers are not separate.
Recent corporate scandals in Malaysia have shown that minority shareholders are reactive when they should be proactive. They are not as interested in good corporate practices as in the dividends and profits that the corporation pays out. There no sense of ownership of the company or a sense of responsibility to speak up when things go wrong. The main reason for this lies in Malaysian culture, which cultivates high power distance and low individualism. It does not encourage shareholders to take action against errant managers. This paper will also discuss alternatives to the current method of challenging managers of corporations that have poor corporate governance practices.
Keywords
Corporate Governance; Minority Shareholders; Malaysian Corporate Scandals; Family Owned Corporations
Advanced Cost Management Systems in Australia: A Study of Their Use and Usefulness
By Robert Reeve and David Warwick
Abstract
This is a study of the extent of use, and the usefulness, of eight advanced cost management systems in a wide range of Australian organisations. Data on the characteristics of these systems are also presented, as well as their association with extent of use and usefulness. In addition, the organisations are classified into groups according to the extent of their use of advanced cost management systems, and by their industry classification, and insights obtained from these classifications are presented.
Keywords
Advanced Cost Management Systems; ACMS; Use; Usefulness
Book Reviews
Spreadsheet Modelling for Finance (2nd Edition): By Martin Hovey
Reviewed By: Greg Van Mourik
Stay In Touch