Asian Review of Accounting

Grameen Bank's social performance disclosure: Responding to a negative assessment by Wall Street Journal in late 2001 : Table of Contents

Muhammad Azizul Islam, Martin Reginald Mathews — Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to establish a linkage between negative global media news towards Grameen Bank (GB), the largest microfinance organisation in the developing world, and the extent and type of annual report social performance disclosures by GB, over the nine-year period 1997-2005. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis instruments are utilised to analyse GB annual report social disclosure. Findings – The study finds that GB's community poverty alleviation disclosures account for the highest proportion of total social disclosures in the period 1997-2005. The results of this study are particularly significant in relation to poverty alleviation – the issue attracting severe criticism from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ?) late in 2001. The community poverty alleviation disclosures by GB are significantly greater over the four years following the negative news in the WSJ than in the four years before. The results suggest that GB responds to a negative media story or legitimacy threatening news via annual report social disclosures in an attempt to re-establish its legitimacy. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature because in the past there has been no research published linking global media attention to the social disclosure practices of major organisations in developing countries.

Investigating audit quality among Big 4 Malaysian firms : Table of Contents

Tyrone M. Carlin, Nigel Finch, Nur Hidayah Laili — Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contemplate the degree to which technical expertise in Malaysian Big 4 auditing practice survives periods of material regulatory inflexion sufficiently to underpin quality financial reporting outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – The adoption of IAS in Malaysia in 2006 introduced a highly technical standard (financial reporting standards – FRS 136) which impacted not only preparers but also auditors of financial statements. This transition period represents a unique opportunity to interrogate the content of financial statements drawn up under new and complex standards, with a view to gaining insight into the quality of oversight offered by the audit profession. Findings – Contrary to the view within the extant literature that there is homogeneity in audit quality among Big 4 firms, this paper reports substantial cross-sectional variation among the sample of Big 4 Malaysian audit firms and reports on distinctly poor compliance levels. Research limitations/implications – The research focuses on compliance with various requirements under FRS 136 – Impairment of Assets among a sample of first-time adaptors drawn from the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Index whose 2006 financial accounts have been audited by a Big 4 auditor. Practical implications – The results raise questions about audit quality among the sample firms and the robustness of regulatory oversight institutions operating within Malaysia. Originality/value – This research illustrates a novel approach to examining the issue of audit quality by introducing a compliance quality approach focusing on note-form disclosures.

Exporting the RAE: adoption of similar practices in Australia and New Zealand : Table of Contents

M.R. Mathews, Alan Sangster — Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative description of performance evaluation schemes in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach – The main content of the paper is a description of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) followed by an analysis of the structure and intent of operation. This is followed by an examination of three Australasian systems, the Research Quality Framework (RQF) (abandoned before implementation), the Excellence in Research in Australia (ERA) (yet to be provided in detail), and the NZ Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) (operated twice over a period of six years). Findings – The final section attempts to discern whether traces of the RAE can be seen in the Australasian systems and also considers the attributes of each attempt to measure performance. Originality/value – This paper presents a description of both the RAE, the RQF/ERA and the PBRF, followed by an analysis of the structure and intent of the latter two and a comparison of these evaluation systems.

Deconstructing local government performance and infrastructure measurement : Table of Contents

Robyn Pilcher — Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper revisits the debate regarding myriad measurement bases and begins a new discussion within a public sector environment. It does this by considering the under-researched technical aspect of measurement within Neely et al.'s measures design template framework. Design/methodology/approach – Using the full population from Australia's largest state, New South Wales (NSW), the annual reports of all local councils were analysed over a seven-year period. In addition, interviews were conducted with a sample of councils representing all geographical areas of the state. Findings – Under the auspices of the modified Neely et al.'s measures design template, additivity problems associated with valuing infrastructure, property, plant and equipment (IPPE) were found to result in the production of unreliable performance indicators – in this case, the capital expenditure ratio (CER). Research limitations/implications – The limitations include the research using an untested model; local councils in only one Australian state and one performance indicator analysed. Future research will examine the behavioural aspects of local councils as a result of being judged on an inappropriate indicator. Originality/value – This paper considers two research issues – the imposition of private sector ideas to public sector entities and problems associated with combining myriad measurement bases to produce performance indicators used for decision making in local government. By introducing the CER as an exemplar within Neely et al.' measures design template, problems associated with combining myriad measurement bases to produce performance indicators used for decision-making provide an unique insight into local government reporting.

Students' perceptions of accounting profession: work value approach : Table of Contents

Eleni Germanou, Trevor Hassall, Yanni Tournas — Sun Jul 05 14:15:04 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to introduce a new theoretical framework in order to examine similarities and differences between accounting major Malaysian and English students. It concerns attributes and outcomes associated with the accounting profession, and the relationship between students' perceptions and intentions to pursue an accounting career. Design/methodology/approach – A survey research approach has been adopted to investigate students' perceptions regarding the accounting profession. The data for this study are collected via questionnaires completed by Malaysian exchange students visiting a university in England and students of a major university in England. The results of the questionnaire are then quantitatively analyzed. Findings – The results indicate that both groups hold positive perceptions of the accounting profession and there is a significant correlation between students' perceptions and their intention to pursue a career in the profession. The study also identifies that Malaysian and English students hold differing perceptions concerning the accounting profession's attributes and outcomes. Originality/value – This is one of the first accounting education papers using the work value theory to investigate perceptions regarding the accounting profession by Malaysian students of Chinese ethnicity and compare these perceptions with the perceptions of students of a major university in England of English ethnicity.