Lars G. Hassel

The Value Relevance of Environmental Performance

Abstract This paper provides insight into how environmental information is reflected in the market value of listed Swedish companies. Using the residual income valuation model, we express market value of equity as a function of book value of equity, accounting earnings, and environmental performance, where the last variable is used as a proxy for other value-relevant information. Our research is motivated by the recommendation of the Swedish Society of Financial Analysts regarding environmental reporting. This recommendation assumes that environmental information has value relevance, since it is likely to affect the expected future earnings of listed companies. We contribute empirical findings to current debate on the relationship between environmental performance and shareholder value. The cost-concerned school argues that environmental investments represent only increased costs, resulting in decreased earnings and lower market values. The value creation school regards environmental efforts as a way to increase competitive advantage and improve financial returns to the investors. The current research finds support for the cost-concerned school, because the results indicate that environmental performance has a negative influence on the market value of firms.

The joint impact of environmental uncertainty and tolerance of ambiguity on top managers' perceptions of the usefulness of non-conventional management accounting information

This study investigates the effects of environmental uncertainty, organizational size, and tolerance of ambiguity of managers on the perceived usefulness of information characteristics of management accounting systems (MAS). An overall measure of usefulness based on the four non-conventional MAS information characteristics of scope, timeliness, level of aggregation, and information for integration were selected based on previous MAS studies (Chenhall and Morris, 1986, The Accounting Review 61, 16-35). Tolerance of ambiguity was introduced as a moderator between environment and information usefulness because information is an important individual resource which makes individuals value information differently depending on the context. Size was included as a surrogate for organizational complexity to further test the strength of the person-environment interaction on information usefulness. The usefulness of MAS information is seen to be affected by interaction patterns between the individual, organizational and environmental levels. Data from 64 managers of New Zealand manufacturing companies suggests that managers of large firms with high tolerance of ambiguity perceive non-conventional MAS information to be most useful when the environment is uncertain.

Budget effectiveness in multinational companies: An empirical examination of environmental interaction on cognitive and affective effects of two dimensions of budgetary participation

This study examines the interaction between two dimensions of budgetary participation and environmental dynamism on perceptions of budget effectiveness in multinational companies. Unique features are dichotomies of: (i) domestic and foreign subunits; (ii) two dimensions of budget participation, communication and influence; and (iii) two facets of effectiveness perceptions, higher level involvement and outcomes of budget process. Results show that benefits of budgetary participation are limited and not consistent. Significant differences between foreign and domestic subunits are apparent. The primary perceived benefits are associated with communication. Budget influence is associated with positive perceptions of top-level involvement in foreign subunits but negative perceptions of outcomes of budget process in both domestic and foreign subunits.

The moderating effects of environmental risk of the industry on the relationship between corporate environmental and financial performance

Purpose - – Industries differ in their environmental impacts, such as emissions, water and energy use, fuel consumption and hazardous wastes, which will have implications for how environmental performance translates to operating performance and market value at company level. By incorporating industry-specific differences of environmental impacts, this paper includes industry-level environmental risk as a moderating factor on the relationship between two indicators of corporate environmental performance (CEP) (management and policy) and corporate financial performance (profitability and market value). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – Using panel data of US companies across all industries, the paper empirically tests a regression model, which includes an interaction effect representing both the form and strength of dependency of CEP on the environmental risk of the industry. The paper adopts the natural resource based theory to argue that financial returns are a decreasing function of CEP in high environmental impact industries, where environmental spending beyond compliance is costly and there is not much opportunity for consumer orientation. Findings - – The results show that environmental management has different impacts on operating performance at high and low environmental risk of the industry (form of relationship) while environmental policy (reporting) has a stronger signal on market premium in industries with low rather than high environmental risk (strength of relationship). Differences in both form and strength of moderating effects are demonstrated. Research limitations/implications - – Further research can introduce other industry-specific moderating factors, such as the disclosure maturity of the industry and the institutionalization of environmental disclosures across boarders in the industries, in order to explore the complexity of the relationship. Practical implications - – The results of the paper are relevant to investors, company managers and a broad group of stakeholders when considering both industry- and company-level environmental risks. Originality/value - – Previous studies have relied on controlling for industry membership. This paper uses an industry-specific environmental variable, environmental risk of the industry, to examine the form and strength of moderating effects.

Compliance with consolidation (group) accounting standards - the vertical adjustment issue : A survey of Swedish multinationals

Previous research into consolidated financial reporting of multinational companies has focused on horizontal adjustments, adjustments at the headquarters level to comply with accounting standards o ...

Accounting for Competition, ‘Circuits of Power’ and Negotiated Order between Not‐For‐Profit and Public Sector Organisations

This study analyses the role of accounting information in negotiating contractual relationships in the framework of circuits of power during a competitive tendering process. The study asks how inst ...

Budget effectiveness in multinational companies : a systems-fit approach

Budget effectiveness in multinational companies receives research interest because of globalisation. Research to date has used contingency-theory methods which have limitations. A systems-fit approach, which views organisations and systems holistically, is a complementary alternative. Compared with reductionistic contingency framework methods using regression analysis, it emphasises holistic methods related to effectiveness and deals with the inherent complexity of multinationals. This study examines the effectiveness of budget control systems in a Finnish multinational company using the systems approach. The tests examined the correlation of the fit of different profiles with effectiveness of the budget control system for both domestic and foreign subunits under conditions of high and low environmental uncertainty. No significant difference between domestic and foreign subunits is detected. Reliance on budget control is not inherently dysfunctional. The study demonstrates the viability of the systems-fit research approach.

Engagement Dialogue as a Nordic Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Strategy

This chapter explores engagement dialogue as a sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) strategy from a Nordic investor perspective. The Nordic model of engagement dialogue is grounded in the Nordic model of corporate governance and stakeholder capitalism. Based on a proprietary database from a professional SRI agent, this chapter conducts an in-depth analysis of engagement dialogue between Nordic institutional investors and MSCI World companies regarding environmental, social, and corruption risks. The main characteristics of the Nordic model of engagement dialogue are an incident-based approach, norm-based compliance, a small number of engagement cases, and long-term emphasis on risk reduction as opposed to short-term financial gains. The chapter notes that successful forms of engagement dialogue target global companies with higher levels of pre-engagement environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, ESG transparency, and operating performance than a matched sample. Their performance remains superior to the matched sample in the post-engagement period. The chapter consequently extends previous literature on SRI strategies in the Anglo-Saxon model of activism based on shareholder resolutions, whereby companies are targeted owing to corporate governance risks and low financial performance.

Research Note Compliance with group accounting standards - the vertical adjustment issues: field studies of multi-nationals

Compliance with accounting standards is a major issue in Europe and elsewhere. Research on the horizontal dimension shows non-compliance even though financial reports state compliance and auditors concur. The vertical dimension is more relevant to discover the extent and reasons for non-compliance. Previous research shows that financial executives of multi-nationals indicated non-compliance when asked directly, even though financial reports and auditors state compliance. This follow-on study uses field-studies of subsidiaries of multi-nationals in three countries to explore the extent and reasons for non-compliance for vertical adjustments when consolidating. The method of agreement and method of differences were used to analyse data. Results show substantial non-compliance and some reasons for non-compliance, notably income smoothing. The vertical dimension is appropriate for continued research and this study provides a model for similar research.