Patricia Stanton

Corporate annual reports: research perspectives used

Corporate annual reports are viewed through the lens of researchers of these documents. The aims are to obtain insight into how researchers view annual reports; to ascertain how the different ways of seeing the annual report relate to each other; and to draw out the gaps in this diverse research in a continuing attempt to understand its role and purpose. Selective examination of a decade of corporate annual report research (1990‐2000) reveals how researchers have sought to find visibility and meaning. Few studies address the document as a whole, in terms of the integration of the messages between the various parts of the report. Explanation of the changing structure and content of annual reports remains divided, largely because of the differing perspectives of researchers. They have revealed diversity in the ways of seeing the annual report and a tension in understanding its overall purpose and role.

Impressions of an annual report: an experimental study

Considerable research has sought to establish the use of impression management in corporate annual reports (CARS), especially in depicting the reporting organisation in as favourable a light as possible. Whether there is a useful outcome from the perspective of influencing those being managed has not been addressed. Based on the evidence that impression management mainly occurs in the front half, an experiment was conducted to examine whether readers’ perceptions of a companys performance differed depending on their assigned reading. Four similar groups rated the performance of an organisation in terms of several dimensions after completing their reading task, but no significant differences were found. Respondents in three groups approximate what may be termed “sophisticated users”, perhaps not easily impressed by the front half. The fourth group, homogeneous at university level but without the same financial background, ranked financial performance higher. Implications are drawn about the effectiveness of impression management.

The questionable economics of governmental accounting

General purpose financial reporting by Australian government entities is claimed to be in the public interest, providing users with information to monitor use of government resources and to make resource allocation decisions. This study argues that these claims to economic usefulness cannot be discharged by the financial reporting procedures. The requirements of the government accounting standard are analysed, the suitability of its neo‐classical economic foundations questioned, and the translation of economic concepts into accounting practice criticised. The inclusion and valuation of public heritage assets and stewardship lands in statements of financial position are shown to require a subjective estimate of the future economic benefits of such assets, whilst ignoring the social, institutional and legal environment. The paper concludes that accounting’s use of the economic concept of value is inadequate and unreliable. Application of the government accounting standard will result in information which reflects neither the financial nor the economic position of the reporting entity.

Governmental accounting for heritage assets: economic, social implications

Neo‐classical economic theory provides the framework for general purpose financial reports prepared by Australian government departments and their agencies. These reports, which include a statement of financial position (financial worth) and an operating statement (an estimate of the return on the investment), have an economic rationale: the information is intended to guide the allocation of scarce government resources. All government assets, including those held for their cultural, historical or environmental values (heritage assets) are to be valued utilizing the neo‐classical theory of value. Argues that the accounting exercise is flawed. Measurement of value‐in‐use or value‐in‐exchange of heritage assets is inherently subjective, ignoring institutional conditions and non‐use values. The accounting approach fails to measure either the service value or economic benefits of governmental heritage assets. Consequently, the information generated is inconsistent with the economic rationale and the valuation process may prejudice any assessment of the performance of entities responsible for these assets. There is a strong case for either widening the concept of value to include non‐use values or abandoning the measurement of heritage assets.

Ethnicity and Acculturation in a Culturally Diverse Country: Identifying Ethnic Markets

Within a culturally diverse nation such as Australia there are many ethnic groups of widely differing size. The decision to market to individual or aggregates of groups requires the identification of differences and similarities among them. The infusion of new migrants, and interaction between ethnicity and the acculturation process, may either increase or reduce the desirability of targeting individual ethnic groups. This creates the need for a dynamic framework to appraise the marketing relevance of ethnic groups. After reviewing the marketing literature dealing with ethnicity and acculturation, a framework is developed for examining the interaction between the two. The concept of ethnicity has three dimensions: ethnic origin, ethnic identity and ethnic intensity. The framework provides a conceptual understanding of how these dimensions develop within the acculturation process. The conclusion adds to the criticism of the traditional linear model of acculturation and reveals the fragile foundations of multicultural marketing in seeking to target ethnic groups, either in aggregate or individually, without a clear understanding of the similarities and differences among them and changes likely to occur over time.

Australian cultural diversity and export growth

Abstract The Australian Government believes that Australias cultural diversity provides a source of potential comparative advantage which will better equip Australia to be more competitive in the global market place and improve its export performance. The processes leading to such an outcome, as well as the actual and potential contribution of ethnic groups to Australian export performance, have been subjected to very limited research. This paper reviews the relevant literature on the links between cultural diversity and export performance and it identifies the basis on which there is likely to be a direct and systematic relationship. Tests for association between the growth in ethnic groups in Australia and the direction and growth of Australian exports towards recent emigrant countries are conducted, revealing a weak, irregular association. The implications of the findings, in relation to the participation of edinic groups in die export process, are discussed.

Marketing strategies of Australian electricity distributors in an opening market

Examines the development of marketing strategies in the Australian electricity distribution market which has recently opened to competition. Marketing managers of businesses licensed to compete in this market were surveyed to assess the importance they attached to particular marketing variables and marketing strategies and whether they were developing a strategic focus. The market currently open consists of medium and large commercial and industrial electricity users. The competitive methods used in this industry were classified according to their consistency with the generic strategic approaches either of being low‐cost, differentiated or focussed. Nine respondents are following a low‐cost strategy, three a differentiation strategy and one, a focus strategy. One can be labelled as “stuck in the middle”. There are more similarities than differences between respondents. The findings point to a lack of clear strategic direction and difficulties in competitors developing strategies consistent with their capabilities.

Determinants of Indian sub-continent officer–seafarer retention in the shipping industry

The retention of officer–seafarers within the international shipping industry is a difficult problem facing shipping and ship management companies. One strategic option open to all companies that should improve overall retention is to seek to become an employer of choice by providing an intellectual capital environment attractive to officer–seafarers. This is investigated through a survey of officer–seafarers covering areas where ship management can exercise some control over their working conditions. These cover recognition by their employer and commensurate rewards, organizational culture and structure and building relationships with external parties. Experienced Indian sub-continent officer–seafarers were the sample population resulting in more than 200 valid completions. These were analysed using correlation and regression. Although all hypotheses were in the predicted direction, only four passed the significance test: long-term career prospects, a smooth and fair recruitment process, a better relationship with maritime authorities and an employee-friendly organizational culture. Stepwise regression indicated that only organizational culture had a significant positive effect on intention to remain a seafarer. The items in the organizational culture construct accord with recommendations from the literature on becoming an employer of choice and improving employee retention, providing guidance for attracting and retaining officers.

Assessing Organisational Communication: Strategic Communication Audits

Assessing Organisational Communication: Strategic Communication Audits, by Cal W. Downs and Allyson D. Adrian. Publisher: The Guilford Press, New York, 2005.

An ignorant set of men. An episode in the clash of the legal and accounting professions over jurisdiction

In August 1875 in a Bankruptcy matter being heard at the Summer Assizes at Bristol in England, Mr Justice Quain gave vent to his spleen over the accounting professions increasing hold on jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters. His remarks were not necessary for the decision but he found some support from the jury and the press of the day. In making his remarks he seems to have been echoing the sentiments of the legal profession of the time. The case itself was pedestrian-but the attention of the Daily Telegraph and the rebuttals in the accounting press give some insight into the struggle by accountants for professional recognition and the clash between the accounting and legal professions over jurisdiction in the latter half of the nineteenth century.