Adam Steen

All pain, little gain? Reframing the value of international assignments

It has long been recognised that international assignments play an important strategic role in a companys portfolio of global staffing options. However, there has been limited work that demonstrates how companies measure their return on investment (ROI) from international assignments. In this article, we present the results of a two-country study of nine multinational companies that questions the use of measures such as return-on-investment (ROI). Rather, we reframe how international assignments are considered and contend that the concept of intellectual capital best captures the true worth – to organisations and individuals – of international assignments.

Risk Management in Corporate Governance: A Review and Proposal

Against a backdrop of corporate collapse, increasing corporate regulation and reporting, risk management and oversight has been a recent addition to the role of the board. It is not inconceivable that capital market regulators may require reporting on risk management and the creation of a separate risk management in the future. We provide evidence that the traditional governance model is inadequate in todays complex business environment, particularly for high technology companies. By analyzing the legislative, industry, and complex risk environment faced by these firms, we posit that the traditional model may need to change to meet the demands of a wider definition of governance that specifically incorporates risk management. Audit committees are traditionally responsible for oversight of auditing matters relating to the companys financial systems and risk management relating to financial reporting. While the audit committee needs to have a full understanding of the risk management system in order to be able to assess the overall risk profile of the company we illustrate that the complex risk and regulatory environment high technology firms face may necessitate the creation of a separate risk management committee to interface with and assist the board and audit committee. In this paper we identify and discuss the relationship between corporate governance and risk management of high technology firms, with publicly listed Australian biotechnology companies as a case in point. We present a governance structure that better manages the numerous complex risks such companies face. In this paper we identify and discuss the relationship between corporate governance and risk management of high technology firms, with publicly listed Australian biotechnology companies as a case in point. We present a governance structure that better manages the numerous complex risks such companies face. Audit committees are traditionally responsible for oversight of auditing matters relating to the companys financial systems and risk management relating to financial reporting. While the audit committee needs to have a full understanding of the risk management system in order to be able to assess the overall risk profile of the company we illustrate that the complex risk and regulatory environment high technology firms face may necessitate the creation of a separate risk management committee to interface with and assist the board and audit committee. We provide evidence that the traditional governance model is inadequate in todays complex business environment, particularly for high technology companies. By analyzing the legislative, industry, and complex risk environment faced by these firms, we posit that the traditional model may need to change to meet the demands of a wider definition of governance that specifically incorporates risk management. Against a backdrop of corporate collapse, increasing corporate regulation and reporting, risk management and oversight has been a recent addition to the role of the board. It is not inconceivable that capital market regulators may require reporting on risk management and the creation of a separate risk management in the future.

Conflicting conceptualizations of human resource accounting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the differing perceptions or conceptualizations that have contributed to prevailing views held by accountants on the measurement and reporting of human resources.Design/methodology/approach – The study provides an analysis of extant literature and presents a theoretical framework on the relationship between HR, intellectual capital and goodwill.Findings – The lack of traction in the progress of accounting for people is due to several factors including tension between employees and management, the demands of internal and external stakeholders, and the historic roots of accounting for labour.Research limitations/implications – The paper provides suggestions as to how the debate regarding the valuing and reporting of human resources may be rekindled.Originality/value – This study highlights the historical context for the lack of traction in the area of accounting for people, and the relatively recent development of the Intellectual Capital Statement as a part...

The cost of youth homelessness in Australia study: snapshot report 1

Overview: This is the first national Australian longitudinal study investigating the economic, personal and social costs of youth homelessness over time across a broad range of locations. Too many young Australians are without any form of safe and secure accommodation. It is estimated that approximately 44,000 Australians under the age of 25 are homeless, but the actual number is likely to be higher. Homeless young people comprise some 42 per cent of the Australian homeless population. Participants have been tracked by researchers over a three year period to see what kind of issues young homeless people face: changes in their circumstances, health and quality of life; how many used services; the types of services they accessed; and whether or not they transitioned from homelessness to permanent accommodation.