Governance and performance reporting in Scottish charities

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Regulatory Reform ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Regulatory Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Performance Reporting ◽  
Descriptive Account ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the governance and performance reporting practices of Scottish charities at a time of unprecedented legislative and regulatory reform. Such reforms include the revision of the SORP governing charity reporting and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act which led to the establishment of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a descriptive examination of the Trustees' Reports (TRs) produced by a sample of Scottish charities; this assessment was facilitated by means of a content analysis of these documents following the introduction of the new regulatory regime. Findings – The findings indicate that the regime change had a significant impact on the provision of performance, governance and accountability-related information in Scottish charities' TRs. Originality/value – The paper provides the first detailed descriptive account of reporting practices across a range of charities in Scotland at a time of unprecedented regulatory change.

scholarly journals Institutional pluralism, two publics theory and performance reporting practices in Zambia’s health sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Phiri ◽  
Pinar Guven-Uslu
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Institutional Pluralism ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Performance Reporting ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate accounting and performance reporting practices embraced in the midst of a pluralistic institutional environment of an emerging economy (EE), Zambia. The research is necessitated due to the increased presence and influence of donor institutions whose information needs may not conform to the needs of local citizens in many EEs. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on institutional pluralism and Ekeh’s post-colonial theory of “two publics” to depict pluralistic environments that are typical of EEs. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 33 respondents drawn from the main stakeholder groups involved in health service delivery including legislators, policy makers, regulators, healthcare professionals and health service managers. Data analysis took the form of thematic analysis which involved identifying, analysing and constructing patterns and themes implicit within the data that were deemed to address the study’s research questions. Findings Findings indicate that Zambia’s institutional environment within the health sector is highly fragmented and pluralistic as reflected by the multiplicity of both internal and external stakeholders. These stakeholder groups equally require different reporting mechanisms to fulfil their information expectations. Social implications The multiple reporting practices evident within the health sector entail that the effectiveness of health programmes may be compromised due to the fragmentation in goals between government and international donor institutions. Rather than pooling resources and skills for maximum impact, these practices have the effect of dispersing performance efforts with the consequence of compromising their impact. Fragmented reporting equally complicates the work of policy makers in terms of monitoring the progress and impact of such programmes. Originality/value Beyond Goddard et al. (2016), the study depicts the usefulness of Ekeh’s theory in understanding how organisations and institutions operating in pluralistic institutional environments may be better managed. In view of contradictory expectations of accounting and performance reporting requirements between the civic and primordial publics, the study indicates that different practices, mechanisms and structures have to be embraced in order to maintain institutional harmony and relevance to different communities within the health sector.

The collapse of unlisted mortgage companies: a regulatory dilemma

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 19-35
Author(s):  
Monica Keneley ◽  
Graeme Wines ◽  
Ameeta Jain
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Regulatory Change ◽  
Shadow Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
Mortgage Finance ◽  
Regulatory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Policy issues associated with the regulation of the unlisted debenture market have been highlighted in recent times with the collapse of a number of regionally based mortgage companies. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the decline and demise of the unlisted debenture market between 2007-2013 with particular reference to the effectiveness of the regulatory regime in stabilising the industry and protecting investors’ interests. Design/methodology/approach A database was constructed which reflected the total population of unlisted mortgage companies in the financial sector. A snapshot approach was used to assess the extent to which these companies complied with regulatory provisions. Findings Findings suggest the regulatory process allowed these companies to continue operating despite not complying with the relevant Australian Securities and Investments Commission benchmarks. In the light of the current inquiry into the financial system, the research suggests that a re-evaluation of the regulatory approach is timely. Research limitations/implications This research is restricted to a study of one category of debenture issuers (issuers of mortgage finance). It is based on reports required by regulatory authorities. It does not provide an analysis of the motivations of investors in these companies. Practical/implications This research has implications for the implementation of regulatory change in respect to oversight of shadow banking activities. It suggested that a passive approach to regulation is not sufficient to ensure that the interests of investors are fully protected. Originality/value No prior research has systematically examined the unlisted mortgage and analysed the borrowing and lending activities of companies that have failed and those that have survived.

scholarly journals Biodiversity reporting for governmental organisations

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Silvia Gaia ◽  
Michael John Jones
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Voluntary Disclosures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Council ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Social Theories ◽  
Comprehensive Picture

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the current nature and content of biodiversity reporting practices adopted by English local councils. By adopting a multi-theoretical framework that relies on economic and social theories such as agency, stakeholder, legitimacy and institutional theories, this study also aims to investigate the factors that explain the extent of biodiversity disclosure provided by local councils. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a self-constructed disclosure index to analyse the biodiversity-related information published in the official websites of 351 English local councils. A multivariate analysis was conducted to analyse the association between local councils’ characteristics and biodiversity disclosure. Findings This study shows that the information disclosed on local biodiversity is limited and does not allow the interested stakeholders to get a comprehensive picture of the current status of local biodiversity. It also provides evidence that the level of biodiversity disclosure is significantly associated with the level of local council’s population, the presence of councillors from environmentally oriented parties and environmental non-governmental organisations operating in the local council area, poor biodiversity management practices and local councils’ visibility. Originality/value This study is one of the few accounting studies that provides a comprehensive analysis of biodiversity disclosure by analysing its nature and content and investigating the factors associated with such disclosure. It extends agency, stakeholder, institutional and legitimacy theories, by showing that local councils use voluntary disclosures to satisfy the informational needs of the main stakeholders and to assure that their strategies and practices conform to the values and expectations of the community they represent.

scholarly journals Coping with COVID-19: the role of accounting in shaping charities' financial resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Kober ◽  
Paul J. Thambar
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Reporting ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Resilience Framework ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of accounting in shaping charities' financial resilience during the COVID-19 crisis.Design/methodology/approachA case study of a charity was conducted. The financial resilience framework (Barbera et al., 2017) was applied to explore how accounting contributes to charities' capacity to cope with crises.FindingsThe results show how the accounting practices of budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting (financial and nonfinancial), as well as “accounting talk,” form part of the anticipatory and coping capacities that provided the charity the financial resilience to navigate the COVID-19 crisis.Practical implicationsThe paper evidences the important role accounting plays in establishing financial resilience to help charities cope with crises, particularly the importance of having accounting practices established prior to a crisis and accounting information forming part of managers' discussions. The study also demonstrates that financial reserves have an important buffering capacity role.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to examine the role of accounting within a charity during an economic crisis. The authors explore the role of accounting in shaping a charity's financial resilience and demonstrate the applicability of the financial resilience framework to a sudden, unexpected crisis such as COVID-19. They extend the accounting talk literature by highlighting its importance to a charity and during a crisis.

Understanding decoupling in response to corporate governance reform pressures

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Krenn
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Regulatory Change ◽  
Compliance Monitoring ◽  
Governance Reform ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Actual Use

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explain under what circumstances firm-level adoption of codes of good corporate governance will more likely be superficial rather than substantive in nature. The article contains lessons for any agency or country that attempts to implement deep and lasting changes in corporate governance via codes of good corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews the literature on compliance with codes of good corporate governance and develops a conceptual model to explain why some firms that have formally adopted a code of good governance decouple this policy from its actual use. Findings – Decoupling in response to the issuance of codes of good corporate governance will be more attractive to firms and also more sustainable under the following conditions: firms’ compliance costs are relatively high firms’ costs of outright and visible non-compliance are relatively high and outsiders’ compliance monitoring costs are relatively high. Originality/value – The article contributes to the debate on compliance and convergence and provides policymakers with a conceptual framework for assessing the likelihood of successful regulatory change in corporate governance.

Creating a growth mindset

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Ian Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fixed Mindset ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to show that everything a business does is fundamentally reliant on its culture. Culture determines how successful a strategy is and whether that strategy can be executed. If the culture in a business is out of alignment, it is imperative to change it. This paper examines how HR professionals can take ownership of this cultural space and help to create a growth mindset throughout the organisation. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on experience gained through working with several large organisations to transform their people culture and performance by embracing a growth mindset and to help their HR leadership become the early champions of change, thus ensuring the process was successfully delivered. The paper includes case studies of two organisations where successful cultural shaping delivered improved results. Findings Companies with a growth mindset will outperform those with a fixed mindset. Changing mindsets is not overly complex, but it requires flawless implementation with the HR leaders at the forefront. Originality/value As Lou Gerstner, who turned around the computing giant IBM, said “I finally realised that culture is not part of the game, it is the game”. By understanding how individual mindsets impact culture, HR professionals can own and drive their organisation’s culture-shaping efforts.

SFC reminding sponsors of the need to adopt an attitude of “professional scepticism”

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
Gareth Hughes ◽  
James Comber
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Group Company ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Skepticism ◽  
Company Limited ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose To remind sponsors to adopt an attitude of “professional skepticism” in Hong Kong IPOs. Design/methodology/approach Explains the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)'s sanction on BOCOM International (Asia) Limited (“BIAL”) as a sign of determination to hold sponsors to account as gatekeepers to the Hong Kong capital markets. Findings The SFC has reprimanded and fined BIAL HK$15 million for failing to discharge its duties as a sole sponsor in a listing application for China Huinong Capital Group Company Limited (“China Huinong”), a company established in the PRC. This substantial fine reinforces the need for sponsors to ensure that they fully and properly discharge all of their duties, and that they will be held responsible for any failure to do so, even if the listing is not ultimately approved. Practical implications If sponsors fail to fulfil the requirements required under the sponsors’ regulatory regime, the SFC will be proactive and impose tough sanctions, even if the listing application is eventually withdrawn or returned by the SEHK. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced regulatory, financial and commercial dispute resolution lawyers.

Copac developments and the Copac Collection Management service

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Author(s):  
Shirley Cousins ◽  
Diana Massam
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Collection Management ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Collections Management ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Descriptive Account ◽  
Management Project

Purpose – This paper aims to describe major developments at Copac, including changes that facilitate use for interlibrary loan activity, introduce the Copac Collections Management project and look toward future developments in the context of the UK’s National Monograph Strategy. The Copac service gives access to the merged catalogues of 95 UK and Irish national, academic and specialist libraries, and is still growing. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a descriptive account. Findings – This paper identifies and describes some of the implications of the reengineering of Copac; addresses the role and benefits of the Copac Collections Management project; and looks ahead to forthcoming development areas. Originality/value – This paper is a valuable update on the service provided by Copac, as well an overview of the forthcoming Copac Collections Management tools service, and an introduction to future developments within the National Monograph Strategy context.

They teach, but do they apply?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 743-766
Author(s):  
Anete Petrusch ◽  
Guilherme Luís Roehe Vaccaro ◽  
Juliane Luchese
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Effective Sample Size ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Administrative Services ◽  
The Usa ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Although discussed for more than 20 years, information about Lean adoption in higher education institutions (HEIs) is scarce, especially in developing countries. This research aims to investigate the degree of Lean thinking adoption on administrative services of Brazilian private HEIs. The results are compared to studies from USA and UK, highlighting the maturity on enablers, principles, tools and performance measures related to Lean. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey research was carried out. The instrument is adapted for HEIs from the proposal of Malmbrandt and Åhlström (2013) for Lean services. Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis were used to validate the adapted instrument. Additional data analysis was based on non-parametric tests. Findings No evidence of broad implementation of Lean thinking in administrative processes of Brazilian private HEIs was found, with the adoption being incipient. The results are convergent to those presented by other studies in the USA and the UK. There is a gap between the existing knowledge about Lean in the academic sphere of the HEIs and its application on their academic processes. Research limitations/implications The effective sample size was of 47, despite contacts being sent to 2,090 institutions. This sample allows exploratory research, although further research is required. Results are adherent to those found in research from other countries. Originality/value The research presents descriptive and exploratory results regarding the adoption of Lean in Brazilian HEIs. No previous similar research was found in the literature.

CFTC overhauls customer protection requirements

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Commodity Futures ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Futures Trading ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Response ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to summarize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) recent overhaul of its customer protection rules, which regulate how futures commission merchants (FCMs) and derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs) handle customer funds. Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarizes the most significant aspects of the CFTC's October 30, 2013 customer protection rulemaking, explains FCM and DCO obligations under the new regulatory regime, and sets forth a compliance timeline. Findings – The CFTC's recent overhaul of its customer protection rules impose significant new requirements on FCMs and DCOs in their handling of customer funds. Practical implications – All FCMs and DCOs that handle customer funds should review these new rules and begin putting into place policies and procedures to ensure their compliance as each new requirement comes into effect. Originality/value – The CFTC's overhaul of its customer protection regime is new and significant. FCMs and DCOs need to understand their new obligations under the rules. As these new rules are the CFTC's regulatory response to the events that led to the insolvencies of MF Global and Peregrine Financial Group, these developments also should be of interest to futures and swaps market participants generally.

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