Francesca Citro

The Financial Distress of Public Sector Entities: Evidence from Italian Public Universities

The paper investigates the financial condition of Italian universities, focusing on cash- and budget-level solvency as well as service-level solvency. Our model includes structural factors (which refer to both size and quality in structures), organisational factors (which refer to the performance evaluation of the strategic mission of universities, such as research and teaching activities as well as the so-called third mission) and hybrid factors (which essentially refer to the financial relationship between the central government and each university). Basing the analysis on these factors, we propose a model for evaluating the financial viability of Italian universities, characterised by high flexibility and feasibility. We found that neither structural nor organisational factors seem to affect financial distress, with only the hybrid factors being significant. These results are probably due to the troubled financial difficulties that are affecting several countries in current years; this means that central government is forced to pay attention only to the financial factors. Furthermore, our findings suggest that performance-funding policies can be ineffective if there is not a clear understanding of the mechanisms through which accountability operates.

Intellectual capital in action: evidence from Italian local governments

Purpose Intellectual capital (IC) is attracting increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in the private sector, while research in the public sector is still in its embryonic stage, especially in regards to local governments. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by channelling conceptual and empirical findings from the large body of IC literature. Design/methodology/approach The research investigates IC in action in the local government domain. A survey has been carried out involving both managers and politicians of all Italian local governments (ILGs) with more than 40,000 inhabitants. In order to define the constituents of each IC dimension perceived by ILGs, principal component analysis was used in investigating the results. Findings Results highlights how IC components are perceived in ILGs: human capital is a combination of aptitudes in pursuing target performances, sense of ownership and motivations; relational capital is a combination of values, relationships and acts; structural capital includes procedures and routines supporting the decision-making process, the ability of achieving objectives and handling changes. Research limitations/implications While the research findings are limited due to being based on a survey in a single country, they present opportunities for future research regarding further testing of how IC is perceived in LGs in different context. The conclusion could be beneficial also for standard setters, providing a path to support the IC disclosure by LGs. Originality/value The paper contributes to a narrow strand of research – IC in LGs – adding new knowledge in “IC in action” research stream.

Accounting Education for Professional Accountants: Evidence from Italy

The aim of this paper is to report the findings of empirical research that addresses the following research question: What are professional accountants’ views about quality in accounting education? This primary research question is expanded to consider professional accountants’ beliefs (what is occurring in their workplace) and attitudes (what ought to be occurring in their workplace) with respect to quality in accounting education.

Financial Conditions and Financial Sustainability in Higher Education : A Literature Review

This chapter offers a necessary summary of the key concepts of the financial conditions in the higher education (HE) sector, through a close examination of different approaches. Focusing on a review of current literature, the chapter provides an overview of the transformation and main uses of performance information in the HE sector as the result of public policy changes. The chapter also defines some of the key theoretical and practical elements to describe the financial conditions and distress of public universities, while also clarifying the distinctive features of financial sustainability. The authors highlight in their closing remarks the implications for future research developments. These issues touch the core of the financial challenges in the HE sector and require thought and resolution to ensure the long-term success of public universities worldwide.