Social and environmental accounting research : major contributions and future directions for developing countries

A review is provided of major contributions in social and environmental accounting literature focussing on the issues of developing countries. The review of prior research shows that the major contributions have been related to the motivations for social and environmental disclosure. However, other important research areas such ethical/accountability issues and how to cost externalities which have already been considered within the context of developed countries are yet to emerge within the
developing country context. Contemporary social and environmental issues such as climate change and greenhouse gas emissions affecting the global community also appear to be key issues of research to scholars in both developed and developing countries. Finally, some future research directions are identified.

Extractive industry financial accounting : where to from here?

By far the most important, difficult and complex policy issue to resolve in the context of the extractive industry concerns the accounting for preproduction costs and mineral reserves, and the disclosure of relevant supplementary data about them. The accounting profession has been unable to settle this particular issue, except in the most contrived of senses. Indeed, many consider the issue to be unresolvable. This paper focuses on the primary financial statements and proposes a partial solution to the issue. The Proposed Method describes a set of new procedures and primary financial statements that are intended to be more serviceable and possess greater predictive power than is currently the case.

Expectations and perceptions of overseas students in a Post-graduate corporate accounting subject : a research note

This study examines the expectations and perceptions of overseas students undertaking the post-graduate corporate accounting subject taught at an Australian university. An understanding
of students’ perceptions and expectations in learning of the subject is important in assisting
accounting academics to enhance their teaching programmes, and to manage the diverse student
cohorts which are now a feature of university classrooms in Australia. The findings show that
overseas students expected the post-graduate corporate accounting subject to be challenging and
interesting. Moreover, they expressed a strong desire that the subject should emphasise the
practicalities of accounting.

Changes in higher education and valuing the job : the views of accounting academics in Australia

In a previous article (Bellamy et al., 2003), the authors reported on survey research that investigated reasons why academics from business disciplines enter and remain in academia, and the conditions they deem necessary to creating ideal work satisfaction. For both entering and remaining, as well as in achieving ideal work satisfaction, the most important factors were found to be autonomy and flexibility, with teaching and research the next most important factors. In a subsequent analysis of the data, reported in this article, the authors identify and explore significant differences between accounting academics and other business academics in the relative importance placed on these key factors. The findings may be used to inform policy makers and university administrators of the importance of discipline differences when identifying key factors for recruitment and retention of accounting academics specifically, and business academics generally.

Value relevance of accounting information in China pre- and post-2001 accounting reforms

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate whether the accounting reform in China has improved the relevance of China's accounting information. It seeks to investigate the association between earnings and book value of equity to share returns before and after the introduction of the Accounting System for Business Enterprises (ASBE) in 2001 for A- and A&B-share firms.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs the return regression model. The pre-ASBE period is designated as 1997 through to 2000, and the post-ASBE period is designated as 2002 through to 2004. All firms listed on the Chinese stock market during the investigation period constitute the sample.

Findings – It is found that accounting information better explains share returns for both A-share firms and A&B-share firms in the post-ASBE period. The paper also finds that the book value of equity for A&B-share firms is incrementally value relevant to that of A-share firms in the post-ASBE period.

Research limitations/implications – Further studies will contribute to understanding how governance mechanisms and liquidity influence the association between accounting information and share returns in the Chinese A-share market.

Practical implications – The findings provide empirical evidence regarding the relevance of accounting information in emerging markets.

Originality/value – The paper contributes to the extant value relevance literature by investigating time periods surrounding the issue of ASBE in 2001 in the Chinese stock market.

Perceptions of corporate social and environmental accounting and reporting practices from accountants in Bangladesh

Purpose – The aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in a developing country such as Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach – Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) were surveyed to determine their perceptions on issues pertaining to social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in Bangladesh.

Findings – Whilst the findings show that accountants have positive attitudes toward corporate social and environmental accounting, progress is limited, with the absence of ICAB in making any noticeable effort to develop such practices.

Research implications – Unlike prior studies, the implications of this study suggest that without international influence, it is less likely that institutional forces in Bangladesh (ICAB and the government) would be effective in dealing with social and environmental accounting and reporting issues.

Originality/value – While prior studies advocate proactive roles of the accounting profession, this study argues that proactive roles are less likely to prevail in the context of Bangladesh without direct intervention from institutional and regulatory authorities in the international arena.