Do economic and financial firm's situation affect the quality if financial reports?

We investigate whether firms��� economic and financial situation influence the Quality of their Financial Reports (FRQ). FRQ is fundamental for investors and it affects the international capital movements [Bradshaw et al. (2004)] and Gelos and Wei (2005)]. Following Schipper and Vicent (2003) we use two issues to access earnings quality: abnormal accruals and earnings persistence. For seventeen European countries, we find evidence that the economic performance affects FRQ. Big firms and those with high current earnings exhibit better financial information. These results are robust since they don���t depend on FRQ proxy and we have the same evidence when we estimate regression with economical and financial factors separately or together. About financial situation, it seems not to affect FRQ. However, in high leveraged firms, the capital structure becomes determinant.

The effect of financial reports��� auality on Ffrm���s rerformance

We analyse whether the quality of firms��� Financial Reports (FRQ) produces any effect on their performance. Bradshaw et al. (2004) and Gelos and Wei (2005) call attention to the fact that the international capital movements is affected by FRQ. Following Schipper and Vicent (2003) we use the abnormal accruals to access earnings quality. For seventeen European countries, we found evidence that FRQ produces a positive impact on firm���s performance. This finding indicates that mangers are not opportunists and tends to make decisions to defend the firm���s best interests. This result is robust since it does not depend on the accounting firms��� performance proxy (ROA/ROE). In addition, it is also consistent when we use data in time series and in cross-sectional and when we estimate regression with lagged or the current year information about abnormal accruals.

Privatization and government preference in a public Stackelberg leader duopoly

We analyse the relationship between the privatization of a public firm and government preferences for tax revenue in a Stackelberg duopoly with the public firm as the leader. We assume that the government payoff is given by a weighted sum of tax revenue and the sum of consumer and producer surplus. We get that if the government puts a sufficiently larger weight on tax revenue than on the sum of both surpluses, it will not privatize the public firm. In contrast, if the government puts a moderately larger weight on tax revenue than on the sum of both surpluses, it will privatize the public firm.

Privatization and government preferences in a mixed duopoly: Stackelberg versus Cournot

We analyse the relationship between the privatization of a public firm and government preferences for tax revenue, by considering a (sequential) Stackelberg duopoly with the public firm as the leader. We assume that the government payoff is given by a weighted sum of tax revenue and the sum of consumer and producer surplus. We get that if the government puts a sufficiently larger weight on tax revenue than on the sum of both surpluses, it will not privatize the public firm. In contrast, if the government puts a moderately larger weight on tax revenue than on the sum of both surpluses, it will privatize the public firm. Furthermore, we compare our results with the ones previously published by an other author obtained in a (simultaneous) Cournot duopoly.

Government preference, environmental taxes and privatization

We analyse the relationship between the privatization of a public firm and government preferences for environmental tax revenue. The model that we consider is more general than the one consider in Wang and Wang (2009), in the sense that we put a larger weight in the environment tax revenue than on the other terms of the government's objective function. The model has two stages. In the first stage, the government sets the environmental tax. Then, the firms engage in a Cournot competition, choosing output and pollution abatement levels.

Forma����o para a literacia da informa����o: uma interactividade necess��ria com os media

Our aim is to analyse the relationship between interactive media and its use in Education when applied to formal training for information literacy. Contextualizing the notion of literacy in an evolving framework and emphasizing the recognition of its importance, we highlight some desirable skills in the current information society, including, inevitably, technological competencies. When considering the notion of literacy within an evolving framework and emphasizing the acknowledgement of its significance some desirable skills stand out in the current information society including, inevitably, the technological skills. We emphasize media literacy and select some strategies for teaching and learning practices recommended for the development of new skills, highlighting the contribution of some international literacy standards and describing some of the good practices in Education. We also underline the need for training within an holistic perspective, integrating student���, teachers and staff cooperation in the educational process. In this process, the potential of the Web 2.0, which grants the new information users ��� the prosumers (consumers and producers) a new statute, new powers and obligations, is indeed worth mentioning. Regarding the situation, we shall quote the reports on the experiences of virtual learning communities that use the moodle platform and mention several activities and programs managed by the Portuguese government to increase the citizens��� literacy���s levels. In conclusion, we point out the need for lifelong learning and the ability of individuals to ���learn to learn��� who therefore provide literacy with a dynamic component.