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Copyright of Journal of Accounting & Auditing (2314-4793) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Accounting & Finance / Oblìk ì Fìnansi is the property of Institute of Accounting & Finance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary sustainability accounting research, comprising 1,283 academic articles published in 54 journals (2014–2020). Sustainability disclosure is the most frequently researched topic and a substantial proportion of publications analyse a national setting, examine a European context, investigate listed firms, adopt an empirical archival research method, apply social and political theories, or focus broadly on sustainability. Based on this analysis, we develop a conceptual framework of sustainability accounting influences. We discuss prevalent themes, empirical findings and apparent inconsistencies, reflecting on recent trends and the state of sustainability accounting knowledge, developing an agenda for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to provide a snapshot of voluntary sustainability assurance in New Zealand (NZ) in 2020. we assess the frequency of different assurance elements and discuss aspects of current practices that potentially contribute to the audit expectation gap. we also test whether the determinants of voluntary sustainability assurance in NZ are consistent with international findings. Design/methodology/approach: For 118 companies listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange in 2020, we hand collected data on whether sustainability information was assured, subject matter assured, assurance level, outcome, provider, disclosure of detailed procedures, standard referenced and criteria applied. we then examine the influences of voluntary sustainability assurance using both univariate and regression analysis. Findings: Approximately 20% of listed companies that disclosed sustainability information provide a sustainability assurance report, indicating low levels of assurance compared to international practices. we note that the presence of different forms of assurance and certification, placement of sustainability information before financial statements and the associated audit report and mixture of assurance levels potentially contribute to the audit expectation gap. Further, voluntary sustainability assurance practices are diverse, and there are notable differences between Big Four accounting firms and other providers in terms of assurance level and standard referenced. Consistent with prior studies, we find size and industry classification as two main drivers of voluntary sustainability assurance. Originality/value: We contribute NZ-specific insights to the sustainability assurance literature. The findings on voluntary sustainability assurance practices and reflection on the audit expectation gap are timely and relevant to the new climate-related disclosure mandate and pending assurance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In scholarly publications, citations play an essential epistemic role in creating and disseminating knowledge. Conversely, the use of problematic citations impedes the growth of knowledge, contaminates the knowledge base and disserves science. This study investigates the presence of problematic citations in the works of business ethics scholars. Design/methodology/approach: The authors investigated two types of problematic citations: inaccurate citations and plagiarized citations. For this, 1,200 randomly selected citations from three leading business ethics journals were assessed based on: (1) referenced journal errors, (2) article title errors and (3) author name errors. Other papers that replicated the same title errors were identified. Findings: Of the citations in the examined business ethics journals, 21.42% have at least one error. Of particular concern are the citation errors in article titles, where 3.75% of examined citations have minor errors and another 3.75% display major errors – 7.5% in total. Two-thirds of minor and major title errors were repeatedly replicated in previous and ensuing publications, which confirms the presence of citation plagiarism. An average article published in a business ethics journal contains at least three plagiarized citations. Even though business ethics fares well compared to other disciplines, a situation where every fifth citation is problematic is unacceptable. Practical implications: Business ethics scholars are not immune to the use of problematic citations, and it is unlikely that attempting to improve researchers' awareness of the unethicality of this behavior will bring a desirable outcome. Originality/value: Identifying that problematic citations exist in the business ethics literature is novel because it is expected that these researchers would not condone this practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand the meaning created by Itaú Unibanco's internal actors in the Integrated Reporting (IR) processes. An interpretative approach based on Karl Weick's sensemaking perspective is adopted. A case study methodology was adopted for undertaking the empirical work. The results show that IR identity in the institution is related to three issues: synergy processes between sectors; integration for the production of other reports; and development of an integrated thinking chain for the entire business. We present perceptions on benefits and difficulties in the process of preparing the integrated report. Although the practices and processes established did not change the characteristics of the bank, the perspective of the social actors seems to have changed from a sectoral view to a multidimensional view. In addition, the conclusions suggest that it is not difficult to understand that separating 'thinking' from 'doing', attributing to the individual the role of mere operationalization is tantamount to ignore the meaning attributed to the organization's journey towards the creation of a process, namely the IR one. The study's contribution lies in pointing out that the IR process is directly related to the integrated thinking process. This could be the most significant differential of IR as a form of corporate communication as it amounts to a new reporting framework that proposes integrating social, environmental, and governance disclosures (non-financial information) with financial disclosures in a single report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines summary annual reports (SAR) as an alternative channel for communicating financial information. We use a sample of New Zealand local governments (councils) that are required to report audited SAR. Using various measures, we compare document length and readability of SAR and annual reports (AR). We find that SAR are approximately 10 percent of the AR length and both have a ___very difficult___ readability score. We then use a disclosure index to examine the relation between SAR report length and the level of disclosures. After controlling for other factors that impact the level of disclosure, we conclude that the reduction in SAR is driven by lower levels of content. We then discuss the policy implications of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the Cadbury Committee (1992) classical definition, corporate governance is 'the system by which companies are directed and controlled.' In the Cadbury Report and in other mainstream corporate governance codes, 'system' refers only to the 'financial aspects of corporate governance', that is, shareholder value and emphasis on the board's and the management's accountability to providers of financial capital only. During the last few years however, sustainability has been included through 'integrated reporting' in corporate governance codes especially in Africa (South Africa) and Asia (Malaysia, Philippines). For example, the South African King reports on corporate governance connect the use of integrated reporting to report on an organisation's corporate governance practices and economic-social-environmental triple-bottom-line performance. The leading normative framework for integrated reporting, the International Integrated Reporting Council's International Framework, is based on an idea of 'shared value creation' by providers of the 'six capitals' (financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, societal and environmental capitals). As such integrated reporting represents a stakeholder management model already integrated – at least on the text level – in many corporate governance codes, just enlarging the concept of capital providers from shareholders only to other internal stakeholders, and the goal of capital efficiency and profit maximisation from financial capital only to other five forms of internal capital provisions. It is also a new step in the development of social and environmental accounting and reporting, rooting from the 1970s and sustainability reporting from the 1990s. The concept of a 'business model' represents the way how an organisation creates value, comprising all its activities, its relationships with stakeholders and its tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, and finally the boards responsibilities, as for the board, 'corporate governance' and sustaining and developing the company's business model are essentially the same thing. In the end of the day, it is a question what kind of 'business model' integrated reporting based corporate governance really reflects, and how it possible varies from shareholder-centred business model. The purpose of this paper is to test (1) what kind of stakeholder model, if any, integrated reporting and especially International Framework represents, (2) what is the impact, if any, of integrated reporting to material corporate governance in the codes it is included in, and (3) if yes, does an integrated view and especially the 'integrated thinking' behind International Framework represent a genuine sustainable value creation driven business model based on the boundaries of the planet and social foundation for the humanity, or is it only a view to encourage organisations to take care of the profits of the specific capital providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines recent accounting research published in 10 journals led by New Zealand and Australia based editors, namely: Abacus; Accounting and Finance; Accounting Forum; Accounting History; Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal; Australian Accounting Review; International Journal of Auditing; Meditari Accountancy Research; Pacific Accounting Review; and Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management. The paper identifies the most cited recent articles (2015–2017), and the most prolific authors, universities and geographical regions. It then reveals trends in research areas and relevance of recent accounting articles. The paper discusses the importance of the Australian Business Deans Council journal quality list in facilitating novel and relevant research, and recommends the integration of citation metrics into its ratings methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Integrated reporting (IR) aims to improve the quality of information available to capital providers. While IR is associated with decreases in investor uncertainty and increases in firm value, it is unclear how IR information directly influences investment decisions. This paper aims to investigate the investment considerations of Taiwanese investors and their initial impressions of the International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRC Framework). In doing so, this study examines the relationships between investment considerations and the IIRC Framework’s concepts.Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 16 investors in Taiwan. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected.Findings In addition to economic and financial outlook, competitive advantages and ownership structure, Taiwanese investors emphasise management credibility as an important factor that influences investment decisions. Investors are reliant on private information sources and quantitative data. Sustainability disclosures and sustainability performance beyond legal requirements are often not considered. Taiwanese investors lack awareness of the IIRC Framework and are sceptical about the premise that integrated reports can provide information material to investment appraisal. The assertion that integrated reports reduce information asymmetry and influence investment decisions has to be treated with caution.Research limitations/implications Self-selection bias and a potential lack of transferability in the findings are issues inherent in the research method and sample used.Practical implications IR information needs to be frequently updated rather than disclosed in a periodic report. Furthermore, integrated reports need to demonstrate a direct link between non-financial performance and financial value creation.Social implications Mandating the supply of integrated reports is unlikely to influence investors’ capital allocation decisions unless investor demand is a driver of the regulation.Originality/value This study is one of the few to investigate IR from the investor’s perspective. Observations from this preliminary study warrant further investigations into the relevance of IR to investment communities globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the background to integrated reporting, a new reporting framework focused on firms' future value creation narrative. We consider why integrated reporting is an area of interest for the accounting profession, accountants, investors, regulators and managers. We provide an overview of the integrated reporting literature, discuss measurement and research design issues to take into account when designing studies on integrated reporting and identify approaches and set an agenda for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]