scholarly journals Non-Financial Disclosure and Intra-Industry Comparability: A Macro, Meso and Micro Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1177
Author(s):  
Eva Cerioni ◽  
Alessia D’Andrea ◽  
Marco Giuliani ◽  
Stefano Marasca
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Financial Disclosure ◽  
General Level ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Common Information ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Empirical Level ◽  
Virtuous Behavior ◽  
Dow Jones Sustainability Index

The inadequacy of financial reports for meeting the information needs of stakeholders has prompted companies to adopt non-financial communication systems (also called non-financial disclosure—NFD). Comparability of NFD is an issue as it allows making sense of the information. Nevertheless, while some argue that comparability is particularly difficult to pursue in practice on a general level, it can be achieved among companies belonging to the same industry. This study aims to understand whether, at the empirical level, the comparability of NFD is achieved and to what extent (macro, meso or micro). To achieve this aim, a text analysis of the NFD was performed. The object of analysis is represented by the NFD published by the listed companies belonging to the energy and banking industries, and that is part of the Dow Jones sustainability index. The main results are the following. First, there is a de facto comparability in terms of adopted standards, but not in terms of how the standards are applied. Second, the phenomenon of label creativity represents a relevant barrier. Third, although content standardization is lacking, common information dimensions in the reports seem to emerge. This appears to be an invitation to policymakers to transpose virtuous behavior and to implement the desired harmonization of jure.

OBJECTIVES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING, ABORIGINAL COST, AND POOLING OF INTERESTS ACCOUNTING

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Nurnberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Public Utility ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Business Combinations ◽  
Decision Usefulness ◽  
Rate Base ◽  
Utility Rate

ABSTRACT Through the years, pooling of interest accounting was criticized as contrary to the decision usefulness objective of financial reporting and potentially misleading to stockholders and creditors, the assumed principal users of financial reports. This paper does not dispute those criticisms. It demonstrates, however, that there were some very good reasons for permitting pooling accounting for certain business combinations when the method was developed in the 1940s. At that time, the basic objectives of financial accounting encompassed stewardship and decision usefulness for multiple users, including public utility regulators and public policy makers. Pooling accounting developed in part to satisfy the information needs of public utility regulators who favored aboriginal (original historical) cost to determine the utility rate base; additionally, it was favored by public policy makers who sought lower utility rates (prices) to foster social and economic goals.

Health information needs, sources, and barriers of primary care patients to achieve patient-centered care: A literature review

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 992-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina A Clarke ◽  
Joi L Moore ◽  
Linsey M Steege ◽  
Richelle J Koopman ◽  
Jeffery L Belden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Common Information ◽  
Primary Care Patients

To synthesize findings from previous studies assessing information needs of primary care patients on the Internet and other information sources in a primary care setting. A systematic review of studies was conducted with a comprehensive search in multiple databases including OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus. The most common information needs among patients were information about an illness or medical condition and treatment methods, while the most common information sources were the Internet and patients’ physicians. Overall, patients tend to prefer the Internet for the ease of access to information, while they trust their physicians more for their clinical expertise and experience. Barriers to information access via the Internet include the following: socio-demographic variables such as age, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation; information search skills; and reliability of health information. Conclusion: Further research is warranted to assess how to create accurate and reliable health information sources for both Internet and non-Internet users.

scholarly journals Dilemmas of Financial Reporting as the Reliable Information Source of an Entity Performance Results

Equilibrium ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-95
Author(s):  
Joanna Zuchewicz
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Global Market ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Economic Entity ◽  
Basic Source

The objective of the hereby paper is to indicate, on the one hand, the need for transformations in financial reporting as the basic source of information about the financial situation of an economic entity indispensable in the decision making process by its users, and on the other to provide the analysis of the adopted reporting reconstruction directions validity, as suggested by international financial community. On the basis of comments and reservations presented by practitioners and the analysis of research conducted by scientific circles the thesis is put forward by the Author that the suggested extension of information scope to be disclosed in obligatory financial reports proposed by the authorities responsible for the preparation of international accounting standards will not increase the usefulness of information they include and will not influence higher security of business transactions. The paper is divided into there interrelated parts. The first presents the overview of critical opinions expressed by financial circles regarding accounting as the system generating information about the achievements of entities operating at the global market. The second refers to an entity stakeholders and their information needs. Irrespectively of opinions about the primacy of investors and their rights in making investment decisions it is of great importance to meet the needs of the remaining interest groups by means of providing both reliable and useful information in financial statements. The final part of the paper presents an outline of undertaken and suggested restructuring directions in financial reporting proposed by IASB and FASB, as the institutions responsible for preparing international accounting standards. This part also discusses the selected suggestions by Polish researchers regarding the form and content of particular components included in a financial statement.

The MOBEL Project

2011 ◽  
pp. 1171-1190
Author(s):  
Inger Dybdahl Sorby ◽  
Line Melby ◽  
Yngve Dahl ◽  
Gry Seland
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
System Development ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Problem Area ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
Information And Communication

This chapter presents results and experiences from the MOBEL (MOBile ELectronic patient record) project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. MOBEL was a multidisciplinary research project established in 2000. The problem area of the project was communication and information needs in hospital wards, and the aim of the project was to develop and explore methods and prototypes for point of care clinical information systems (PoCCS) that support clinicians in their patient-centered activities. The chapter summarizes four sub studies performed during the project. Each study presents different approaches to user-centered design of PoCCS. Findings from these studies confirm the need for mobile information and communication technology (ICT) in hospitals. Furthermore, the studies demonstrate how more user involvement and complementary approaches to traditional requirements engineering (RE) and system development methods can be useful when developing mobile information and communication systems for clinicians.

The MOBEL Project

2010 ◽  
pp. 52-73
Author(s):  
Inger Dybdahl Sorby ◽  
Line Melby ◽  
Yngve Dahl ◽  
Gry Seland
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
System Development ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Problem Area ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
Information And Communication

This chapter presents results and experiences from the MOBEL (MOBile ELectronic patient record) project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. MOBEL was a multidisciplinary research project established in 2000. The problem area of the project was communication and information needs in hospital wards, and the aim of the project was to develop and explore methods and prototypes for point of care clinical information systems (PoCCS) that support clinicians in their patient-centered activities. The chapter summarizes four sub studies performed during the project. Each study presents different approaches to user-centered design of PoCCS. Findings from these studies confirm the need for mobile information and communication technology (ICT) in hospitals. Furthermore, the studies demonstrate how more user involvement and complementary approaches to traditional requirements engineering (RE) and system development methods can be useful when developing mobile information and communication systems for clinicians.

scholarly journals Making sense of the users of public sector accounting information and their needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan van Helden ◽  
Christoph Reichard
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
User Groups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to dismantle the complex issue of “use of accounting information (AI)” by pointing to different groups of information users, diverging interests and needs of these user groups and various influential factors on the usability and the actual use of AI. Design/methodology/approach This paper includes a literature review and conceptual reflections. Findings The review of recently published articles on the issue of “use of accounting information” presents an actual picture of the academic debate on purposes of use, user types, needs of various user groups and factors influencing the usability and the actual use of AI. The subsequent conceptual reflections deal with so far less regarded user groups, with options to strengthen the user perspective in budgeting and financial reporting, with approaches for engaging users in the content of accounting documents, with interrelations between user needs, usability and use intensity, including various antecedents of the different variables of the information-use issue. Research limitations/implications This paper presents promising routes for future research. Practical implications The paper emphasizes the importance of paying more attention to the specific information needs and the motivations of various stakeholder groups generally interested in using financial information. Originality/value The paper presents results of reviewing recent literature on the issue of “use of accounting information” and provides some insight into specific aspects of this issue.

scholarly journals How COVID-19 Changed the Information Needs of Italian Citizens

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6988
Author(s):  
Rino Falcone ◽  
Alessandro Sapienza
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Virtuous Behavior ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
Role Of Information ◽  
Political Decisions

Italy was the first European country to be affected by COVID-19, facing an unprecedented situation. The reaction required drastic solutions and highly restrictive measures, which severely tested the trust of the Italian people. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the introduced measures was not only linked to political decisions, but also to the choice of the Italian people to trust and rely on institutions, accepting such necessary measures. In this context, the role of information sources was fundamental, since they strongly influence public opinion. The central focus of this research was to assess the information seeking behavior (ISB) of the Italian citizens, to understand how they related to information and how their specific use of information influenced public opinion. By making use of a survey addressed to 4260 Italian citizens, we identified extraordinarily virtuous behavior in the population: people strongly modified their ISB in order to address the most reliable sources. In particular, we found a very high reliance on scientists, which is particularly striking, if compared to the past. Moreover, starting from the survey results, we used social simulation to estimate the evolution of public opinion. Comparing the ISB during and before COVID-19, we discovered that the shift in the ISB, during the pandemic, may have actually positively influenced public opinion, facilitating the acceptance of the costly restrictions introduced.

scholarly journals The impact of latest changes in Financial Reporting on Stakeholders’ Confidence and Satisfaction.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (07) ◽  
pp. 930-949
Author(s):  
Dr. Dolly Roy Choudhary ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Corporate Disclosure ◽  
The Public ◽  
Common Information ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Important Input ◽  
The Impact

This paper focuses on how the latest changes in corporate financial reporting have an impact on the stakeholders i.e. the shareholders, employees, management, creditors, auditors, suppliers, and the public in general. Financial information serves as an important input and guides for informed decision-making in an economic environment. The financial statements are one of the most important bases on which the internal and external stakeholders reach effective decisions. The idea of “General Purpose Financial Reporting” is directed to the common information needs of users and stakeholders. This study attempts to assess whether the stakeholder’s confidence and satisfaction are enhanced by the nature and extent of information that is made available to the stakeholders and the practices of corporate disclosure in annual accounts.

Financial Disclosure and Toxic Products: Encouraging Wall Street to Anticipate Product Risk and Exercise Precaution

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-58
Author(s):  
Sanford Lewis ◽  
Margaret Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Disclosure ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Wall Street ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Product Risk ◽  
Current Financial Crisis

Amidst discussion by policymakers about how regulators' failure to ensure disclosure of risks contributed to the current financial crisis, we assess how emerging product toxicity risks are addressed in companies' financial reports. Will corporations blindside investors with “the next asbestos?” Existing disclosures are found lacking in the specificity needed to forewarn of liabilities and reputational damage from the use of potentially harmful materials—from nanotechnologies, to asthmagens, to perfluorinated compounds. Improved standards could protect investors while also enhancing corporate incentives to use safer materials. Reforms by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board are recommended.

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