Business Commons^™

Don't Waste Your Time, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins

Doug Leigh

Commentary.

The Relationships Among Generativity, Values, Individual Differences, And Commitment To An Ideal Vision, Doug Leigh

Doug Leigh

Kaufman (2006a, 2011) defines Ideal Visions as measurable statements of the kind of world an organization, as well as its associates and external stakeholders, commits to help create for the future. This study investigated the relationships among several research-supported variables regarding personality aspects and individual characteristics with indicators of individuals’ motivation to achieve goals aimed at adding value to external clients and society. Indicators of generative beliefs, values, individual differences, and commitment to an Ideal Vision were examined in this study. Generativity (the concern in establishing and guiding the next generation), membership and activity in a formal civic organization, and …

Costs-Consequences Analysis: A Primer, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins, Roger Kaufman, Mark Muir

Doug Leigh

No abstract provided.

Swot Analysis, Doug Leigh

Doug Leigh

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are organizational influences known collectively as ‘‘SWOTs.’’ At its best, SWOT analysis is a process by which a group of stakeholders (a) identify internal and external inhibitors and enhancers of performance, (b) analyze those factors based on estimates of their contributions to net value and approximations of their controllability, and (c) decide what future action to take with regard to those factors. Convention- ally, however, organizations carry out only the first of these three tasks. To address this shortcoming, this chapter outlines a six-step process not only for identifying SWOTs, but also for meaningfully analyzing …

Assessing Readiness For E-Learning, Doug Leigh, Don Triner, Ryan Watkins

Doug Leigh

Today, e-learning is a common delivery media for education and training within many organizations. Yet, while both the supply and demand for e-learning opportunities has risen in recent years, many professionals are beginning to question whether e-learners are prepared to be successful in an online learning environment (e.g., Guglielmino & Guglielmino, 2003; Watkins & Corry, 2005). After all, a learner's demonstrated success in a conventional education and training classroom may not be an adequate predictor of success in an e-learning classroom.

One way of gauging a potential online learner's readiness is through self-assessment. As a first step in defining an …

Kirkpatrick Plus: Evaluation And Continuous Improvement With A Community Focus, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins, Rob Foshay, Roger Kaufman

Doug Leigh

For almost 40 years, Donald Kirkpatrick's framework for evaluation has been used as a basic model for the identification and targeting of training-specific interventions in business, government, military, and industry alike. By approaching evaluation from four different perspectives—reaction, learning, behavior, and results—the model has provided a solid basis for the examination of training's impact on the organization. Despite the current practice of measuring one's success according to the success of one's clients, proposed changes in the model have not been frequently adopted. It is therefore likely time for professionals to reevaluate the utility and responsiveness of the Kirkpatrick framework to …

A Scientific Dialogue: A Performance Accomplishment Code Of Professional Conduct, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins, Roger Kaufman

Doug Leigh

No abstract provided.

Alternate Models Of Needs Assessment: Selecting The Right One For Your Organization, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins, Roger Kaufman, William Platt

Doug Leigh

Needs assessment seems intuitively attractive to planners. Virtually all authors recommend that needs assessment be the first step in any organizational or human resource development intervention. Planners sensibly recognize the importance of building a foundation grounded in data-based needs, and see data produced by needs assessment as justifying organizational planning and accountability. They also see the usefulness of needs assessments for obtaining and allocating resources for projects. In their best use, needs assessments ensure that resources (Inputs) and methods (Processes) deliver useful results, that their value-added can be demonstrated. Unfortunately, the wide and varied usage of the term need often …

Performance Improvement: More Than Just Bettering The Here-And-Now, Doug Leigh, Ryan Watkins

Doug Leigh

No abstract provided.

A Process Model On The Formation Of Multinational Stategic Alliances, Gregory Osland, Attila Yaprak

Gregory E. Osland

Dr. Gregory Osland's contribution to Refik Culpan (ed.), Multinational Strategic Alliances. Binghamton, NY: International Business Press.

"Doing Business In China: A Framework For Cross-Cultural Understanding, Gregory Osland

Gregory E. Osland

The process of doing business in The People′s Republic of China can be understood better and improved through a conceptual model that identifies and explains critical elements of their culture. An attempt is made to fill a gap in previous work by integrating anthropological and political theory, pertinent literature, and experience in the Chinese context. The model reveals the importance of understanding how communication occurs cross‐culturally through language, material objects, and non‐verbal behaviour. The critical role of interpersonal relationships in China is discussed, highlighting the important factors of guanxi, face, group orientation, and deference to age and authority. The …

Negotiation In Channels Of Distribution: Conditions, Behavior, And Outcomes, Gregory Osland, Lloyd Rhinehart

Gregory E. Osland

A model of the negotiation process is developed and tested on a sample of motor carriers that provide contractual service in distribution channels. The result indicate that expectation of continuity in a channel relationship leads to cooperative negotiating behavior. This cooperative (integrative) negotiating behavior, in turn, results in mutually beneficial outcomes. In addition, perceived dependence has a weak effect on negotiating behavior and outcomes. Managers are advised about conditions and outcomes of the use of both cooperative and arms-length negotiating strategies.

Multinationals In China: Responding To Host Government Pressures, Ingmar Bjorkman, Gregory Osland

Gregory E. Osland

Government pressures are thought to influence multinational companies' strategies. This study analyzes central government pressures regarding MNCs in China since 1990, particularly the pressures concerning operational modes utilized by foreign companies investing in China. The methodology utilizes in-depth interviews of MNC executives and government officials from the United States, Scandinavia, and China. The results indicate that the Chinese government has ratcheted up the pressure on MNCs to produce and source locally and that some MNCs are facing intense pressure to lobby their own governments on behalf of China. This article also provides insights for managers into government workings and provides …

The Use Of Multiple-Party Perspectives In International Joint Venture Research, Gregory Osland, S. Cavugsil

Gregory E. Osland

Much academic research on international joint ventures has relied on information and insights gained from only one of the several parties that make up a collaborative venture. Motivated by a desire to explore the merits of "multiple-party" investigations in international joint ventures, a research project was designed and implemented in the context of US-China joint ventures. Matched data from eight large joint ventures were collected through in-depth interviews with 40 managers representing Chinese and US parent companies and joint venture operating managers from both partners.

Market Analysis For Small And Mid-Size Commercial Turboprop Aircraft, Vitaly Guzhva, Tamilla Curtis, Vladislav Borodulin

Dr. Tamilla Curtis

Recent fuel price volatility and growing concerns about the efficiency of regional jets have led to a revival of large turboprop aircraft as efficient passenger carriers on short-haul regional routes. However, the overall market for smaller turboprops is much less defined as it is characterized by a plethora of small commuter and niche operators in addition to regional carriers. Since most small and mid-size turboprop manufacturers have gone bankrupt or discontinued production due to some other reasons, current operators of this aircraft class are left with aging fleets that would need to be replaced by 2020-2030. This paper assesses the …

Analysis Of Kaizen Implementation In Northern Ethiopia’S Manufacturing Industries, Asayehgn Desta, Hadush Asgedom, Alula Gebresas, Mengstu Asheber

Asayehgn Desta

The Kaizen manufacturing processes in Japan have revolutionized the way enterprises deliver products to their customers. Given ambitions to advance, retain market share, and satisfy their domestic market while expanding into the international market, it has become a dream for many manufacturing companies similar to Japanese manufacturing enterprises to build a culture of continuous improvement. In other words, a number of foreign companies are striving to acquire the habit of improvement using kaizen, as well as to focus on a customer-driven strategy to improve productivity and the quality of products and services by continuously amassing marginal improvements over time. Mapping …

Segment Disclosures Under Sfas No. 131: Has Business Segment Reporting Improved?, Donna Street, Nancy Nichols, Sidney Gray

Donna L. Street

In response to user concerns regarding segment reporting, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, Reporting Disaggregated Information about a Business Enterprise, in 1997. SFAS No. 131 became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 1998. This research examines the segment disclosures of U.S. Global 1000 companies for both 1997 and 1998 to ascertain the impact and effectiveness of SFAS No. 131 in practice. Specifically, this research considers whether the new requirements have resulted in:

• A greater number of line‐of‐business (LOB) segments for some enterprises, particularly those who claimed to operate in one LOB under SFAS No. …

Compliance With Disclosure Requirements At Germany's New Market: Ias Versus Us Gaap, Martin Glaum, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

This research examines compliance with both International Accounting Standards (IAS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) for companies listed on Germany's New Market. Based on a sample of 100 firms that apply IAS and 100 that apply US GAAP, we investigate the extent to which companies comply with IAS and US GAAP disclosure requirements in their year–2000 financial statements. Compliance levels range from 100% to 41.6%, with an average of 83.7%. The average compliance level is significantly lower for companies that apply IAS as compared to companies applying US GAAP. This study provides the first systematic evidence …

Factors Affecting Md&A Disclosures By Sec Registrants: Views Of Practitioners, Ann Tarca, Donna Street, Walter Aerts

Donna L. Street

This study identifies factors influencing the preparation, scope and content of management discussion and analysis (MD&A) reports provided by SEC registrants. We interviewed U.S., Canadian, U.K., and Australian financial executives during the period December 2009 to May 2010 to better understand how the reporting environment affects managers’ ability to provide useful disclosures. Interviewees agree MD&A should be "through the eyes of management"; however, many describe a tension between statutory requirements and providing relevant information for investors. Some believe MD&A is useful for analysts and investors as a summary of the past year and by functioning as a benchmark. Interviewees frequently …

Ifrs Teaching Resources: Available And Rapidly Growing, Robert Larson, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

With the rapid adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) around the world, accounting practitioners, educators, and students are in great need of IFRS instructional materials. This article provides a compilation and review of IFRS teaching resources based primarily on presentations made at a series of IFRS Teaching Workshops sponsored by the IFRS Foundation Teaching Initiative and the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER). With the purpose of helping those teaching IFRS, especially those with limited prior IFRS teaching experience, we provide detailed information so educators can easily access and use these resources. Several different IFRS teaching strategies …

Besser Pharma: International Accounting For Pensions, K. Geary, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

The purpose of the Besser Pharma case is to bring an international perspective to the coverage of pension accounting. Students are required to read U.S. and international pension accounting standards, complete financial statement research on the pension plans of Besser's competitors, and answer, in a memo to Besser Pharma's CFO, a series of questions about alternative accounting approaches permitted by International Accounting Standard No. 19, Employee Benefits.

The Predictive Ability Of Geographic Segment Disclosures By U.S. Companies: Sfas No. 131 Vs. Sfas No. 14, Bruce Behn, Nancy Nichols, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

This research considers whether recent modifications to segment reporting adequately address analysts' concerns regarding the usefulness of geographic data. Forecast errors for models utilizing SFAS No. 131 geographic sales data are compared to forecast errors for models utilizing SFAS No. 14 geographic sales data. The results indicate a significant improvement in the predictive accuracy of geographic sales disclosures provided under SFAS No. 131. Additional analysis suggests this enhanced predictability may be associated with the revised requirements that companies report sales for the country of domicile and for each individually material country. Overall, our findings appear to support the FASB's argument …

Have ‘European’ And Us Gaap Measures Of Income And Equity Converged Under Ifrs? Evidence From European Companies Listed In The Us, Sidney Gray, Cheryl Linthicum, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

The EU's adoption of IFRS, combined with the SEC's removal of the US GAAP reconciliation requirement for non‐US registrants reporting under IFRS, signifies a major shift toward the acceptance of global standards. Based on 20‐F reconciliations provided by the population of US-listed European companies filing IFRS‐based statements with the SEC in 2005, we examine whether "European" and US GAAP measures of income and equity converged under IFRS. We find that during the period immediately preceding IFRS, for our sample companies, European and US GAAP measures are generally comparable in respect of income and equity. However, as an exception to the …

The Relationship Between Competition And Business Segment Reporting Decisions Under The Management Approach Of Ias 14 Revised, Nancy Nichols, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

This research addresses the relationship between industry competition and managers’ choice regarding whether to separately disclose a business segment following the adoption of International Accounting Standard 14 Revised (IAS 14R) and the management approach to segment determination. Logistic regression reveals a significant negative relationship between disclosure and company returns in excess of the industry average.

Prior research indicated a significant relationship between disclosure and abnormal returns under the industry approach to segmentation. Our results provide evidence that this flexibility persists as managers maintain their ability to aggregate segments to protect excess returns under IAS 14R and the management approach. Our …

The G4'S Role In The Evolution Of The International Accounting Standard Setting Process And Partnership With The Iasb, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

Between 1992 and 2001, representatives of the G4 national accounting standard setting bodies and the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) participated in a working group known as the G4+1. Immediately following the formation of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the G4 announced that the working group would no longer meet. Alternatively, the G4 national standard setters would form a partnership with the IASB via liaison representatives.

This paper focuses on the objectives and mission of the G4+1, the G4's relationship with the IASC, the impact of the G4 on the restructuring of the IASC to establish a quality independent …

Large Firms Envision Worldwide Convergence Of Standards, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

Currently, the largest accounting firms1 are working diligently in conjunction with their partners in the International Forum on Accountancy Development (IFAD) to achieve their vision of raising national accounting and auditing standards worldwide to meet or exceed internationally recognized benchmarks. An awareness of the ongoing activities of the firms and their IFAD partners to improve financial reporting, accountability, and transparency worldwide is crucial if other members of the accounting community, including educators, are to support and, more importantly, actively participate in these efforts. IFAD was formed in 1999 on “the premise that the expertise of the accounting profession and the …

Convergence With Ifrs In An Expanding Europe: Progress And Obstacles Identified By Large Accounting Firm's Survey, Robert Larson, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) acquired greater legitimacy and stature when the European Union (EU) decided to require all listed companies to prepare consolidated accounts based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) beginning in 2005. This study examines the progress and perceived impediments to convergence in 17 European countries directly affected by the EU's decision. These include: (1) the 10 new EU member countries, (2) EU candidate countries, (3) European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and (4) Switzerland. We utilize data collected by the six largest international accounting firms during their 2002 convergence survey. Additionally, we analyze subsequent events and …

Disclosure Level And Compliance With Iass: A Comparison Of Companies With And Without U.S. Listings And Filings, Donna Street, Stephanie Bryant

Donna L. Street

This research investigates the extent to which the disclosure requirements of the IASC are complied with or exceeded for companies claiming to use International Accounting Standards (IASs). Additionally, the research seeks to identify significant differences between those companies with U.S. listings, U.S. filings, and those with no U.S. listings or filings with regard to (1) compliance with IASC-required disclosures, and (2) level of disclosure (including both mandatory and voluntary items). The findings reveal the overall level of disclosure is greater for companies with U.S. listings. Additionally, greater disclosure is associated with an accounting policies footnote that specifically states that the …

Framework-Based Teaching Of Ifrs Judgements, Christopher Hodgdon, Susan Hughes, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are principles-based accounting standards that provide less prescriptive, interpretive and implementation guidance than do some national standards. Thus, considerable judgement in the application of IFRS is often required. We suggest a three-step approach to teaching IFRS judgments (concepts, to principles/rules, to the judgments required in the application of those rules), and provide accounting educators with guidance and resources that will help them create and enhance students' awareness of the importance of making professional judgments in the application of IFRS. We consider pervasive issues, such as the going concern assumption, materiality and related disclosures, and issues …

Lob And Geographic Segment Disclosures: An Analysis Of The Impact Of Ias 14 Revised, Donna Street, Nancy Nichols

Donna L. Street

To better satisfy important information needs of users of financial statements, as set forth in the IASC Framework, the IASC issued IAS 14 revised (IAS 14R), Segment Reporting, in 1997. IAS 14R became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1998. This research examines the pre-IAS 14R and post-IAS 14R line of business (LOB) and geographic disclosures of a global sample of companies that refer to IAS to ascertain the impact and effectiveness of IAS 14R in practice. Specifically, this research considers whether the new requirements resulted in (1) a greater number of LOB segments for some …