| 1. |
- Broberg, Pernilla, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Why reduce profit? : accounting choice of impairments in Swedish listed corporations
- 2007
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Accounting choice has been explained mainly by two separate theories, positive accounting theory (PAT) and institutional theory (IT). The two theories are used in conjunction in this paper in order to derive an eclectic explanation of accounting choice. We term the effort an “eclectic accounting theory” (EAT). The theory is tested by deriving hypotheses about the choices for determining impairments according to IAS 36 (Impairment of Assets). The hypotheses are evaluated on a sample of 608 company-years of listed Swedish corporations during the years 2002–2004. Our model of general factors influencing accounting choice was able to predict 10% of the variance, indicating that the choice of impairments is induced by general business factors, institutional factors, and agency.
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| 2. |
- Falkman, Pär, et al.
(författare)
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Accrual accounting does not necessarily mean accrual accounting : compliance with standards in Swedish municipal accounting
- 2006
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The regulation of Swedish municipal accounting has undergone fundamental changes over recent decades. Municipal accounting became regulated by law the 1st of January, 1998, after having been merely voluntarily regulated in the past. In accordance with the legislation, a standard-setting body was formed, with responsibility for development and interpretation of generally accepted accounting principles for municipal accounting. Important aims of the legislation and reform were to suppress ‘creative’ accounting and to increase the level of harmonisation and comparability. Using the lens of positive accounting theory as well as institutional theory, this paper describes and explains the impact of the legislation and standard setting in the Swedish municipal sector. We have used a triangulation approach, collecting data through a survey, documentary study and interviews. The overall results show that the reform has had a very limited impact on accounting practice. Compliance with accounting standards and legislation was in general poor. This result is in line with the assumptions of positive accounting theory. However, the study also shows that there are differences among the preparers. The supposition, suggested by institutional theory, that large municipalities should produce better accounting information (i.e. more in line with generally accepted accounting principles) than the municipalities in general, could not be rejected. Weak audit quality seems to be another important factor that explains the poor compliance with accounting standards.
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| 3. |
- Falkman, Pär, et al.
(författare)
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Accrual accounting does not necessarily mean accrual accounting : factors that counteract compliance with accounting standards in Swedish municipal accounting
- 2008
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Management. - 0956-5221 .- 1873-3387. ; 24:3, s. 271-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The regulation of Swedish municipal accounting has undergone fundamental changes over recent decades. Municipal accounting became regulated by law the 1st of January, 1998 after having been merely voluntarily regulated in the past. In accordance with the legislation, a standard-setting body was formed, with responsibility for development and interpretation of generally accepted accounting principles for municipal accounting. Important aims of the legislation and reform were to suppress ‘creative’ accounting and to increase the level of harmonization and comparability. Using the lens of positive accounting theory as well as institutional theory, this paper describes and explains the impact of the legislation and standard setting in the Swedish municipal sector. We have used a triangulation approach, collecting data through a survey, documentary study and interviews. The overall results show that the reform has had a very limited impact on accounting practice. Compliance with accounting standards was in general poor. This result is in line with the assumptions of positive accounting theory. However, the study also shows that there are differences among the preparers which can be explained by institutional theory. Large municipalities produce better accounting information (i.e. more in line with generally accepted accounting principles) than the municipalities in general. Weak audit quality seems to be another important factor that explains the poor compliance with accounting standards.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Grossi, Giuseppe, et al.
(författare)
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Consolidated financial reports in local government : a comparative analysis of IPSASB and SCMA
- 2007
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Municipal and local governments seem to use other entities to a larger extent to organise and co-ordinate their activities. Thus the need and demand for consolidated financial statements has been observed in several countries as well as by international standard-setters such as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). Sweden introduced consolidated financial statements in municipalities and local governments in the 1980s and is one of the few countries where consolidated financial statements for municipalities and local governments are fully implemented. The aim of this study is to analyse similarities and differences in the approach to consolidated financial statements in standards issued by the IPSASB and the Swedish Council for Municipal Accounting (SCMA). The analysis is based on data from documentary studies and interviews. The results show that the two standard-setters approach the problem of consolidation quite differently. While the IPSASB seems to emphasise decision-making, the SCMA accentuates accountability. As a result, the standard-setters come to different conclusions about such matters as concept of control, valuation and methods of consolidation.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Knutsson, Hans, et al.
(författare)
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Do strategy and management matter in municipal organisations?
- 2008
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Ingår i: Financial Accountability and Management. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0267-4424 .- 1468-0408. ; 24:3, s. 295-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Sweden, a large share of public services are organised, produced and delivered by municipalities, large and small, rich and poor. Contextual conditions (size and location) and economic conditions (efficiency and wealth) differ considerably among these service-providing organisations. The question raised in this paper is whether a municipality's economic situation is a direct consequence of the contextual situation or the organisation's strategy and management – that is: Do strategy and management matter? Our analysis rests on a resource-based view of organisation strategy. Both quantitative and qualitative observations have been made. First, cost savings data from 50 municipalities were examined for patterns and relationships between contextual and economic conditions. Second, about 100 representatives – municipal executive board members and leading officials – from 20 municipalities with different characteristics were interviewed. In this paper we outline an analytical framework and propose that sound and sustainable provision of municipal service depends on whether organisational decision-making is in harmony with work methods and objectives. The results indicate that strategy and management do matter. Among the municipalities included in our study, we identify four prevalent basic strategies. Strategy tends to coincide with the economic situation rather than the contextual situation. A low-performing municipality tends to have a predominantly outward orientation in its decision-making, whereas a higher-performing municipality makes decisions with both inward and outward orientation.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Tagesson, Torbjörn, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Does auditor rotation influence audit quality : the contested hypotheses tested on Swedish data
- 2006
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Auditor independence is considered a key factor when ensuring high audit quality. Advocates for auditor rotation argue that rotation improves audit quality due to its positive influence on auditor independence. Opponents argue that rotation does not lead to improved audit quality, since the independence is gained at the expense of the auditors’ knowledge of business structure and routines. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between rotation and audit quality. We use agency theory to derive the advocate view and stewardship theory to derive the opponents’ hypothesis. These hypotheses were tested on Swedish data. The results indicate only weak support for the hypothesis that rotation influence audit quality. The weakness is partly due to measurement problems. The proxies used in the literature appear to measure different facets of audit quality. Through an interpretation of a factor analysis, we suggest two main facets, perceived audit quality, which is significantly influenced by auditor rotation, and actual audit quality, which is not influenced by rotation.
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