Keith Hooper and Gina Xu
From a historical perspective, the purpose of this paper is to show how the current New Zealand Accountants' Code of Ethics (COE) differs from the first 1927 COE. The lengthy…
Abstract
Purpose
From a historical perspective, the purpose of this paper is to show how the current New Zealand Accountants' Code of Ethics (COE) differs from the first 1927 COE. The lengthy, current COE comprises strands of thought drawn from three different philosophical positions. By contrast, New Zealand's first COE was relatively short and reflected legitimacy by character employing the concepts of virtue ethics. The concepts of virtue ethics have now largely disappeared from the latest much longer code. The current code is more legalistic and technical, implying a concern for public relations. At the same time, the current COE has become a legitimising tool for the profession to emphasise image and quality.
Design/methodology/approach
To illustrate the shift in practice of ethical position, the paper is informed by a recent New Zealand case of a collapsed finance company as well as some further illustrations of a failure to discharge a duty of care to the public from the United Kingdom.
Findings
The shift in the COE coupled with a shift in underlying social values contributes to what the Economist Journal describes as a steady decline in professional ethics. There has been a shift from legitimising the character of an accountant to legitimising the character of accounting. This arguable conclusion is supported by a case study in New Zealand and cites the shift in combinations of cognitive, moral and pragmatic legitimacy as drivers employed by accounting firms.
Research limitations/implications
The paper uses secondary and documentary data and is informed by conceptual analysis which necessarily in the realm of ethics may be contentious.
Originality/value
The paper seeks to link the changing social values with changes in legitimisation and the COE to show shifts in accounting practices like the recent practice of issuing disclaimers.
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Karam Bharat Singh and Subhas Chandra Misra
This study identifies and ranks the barriers to manufacturing integrated circuit (IC) chips in the Indian semiconductor manufacturing industry by examining the causal…
Abstract
Purpose
This study identifies and ranks the barriers to manufacturing integrated circuit (IC) chips in the Indian semiconductor manufacturing industry by examining the causal relationships between the different barriers using an advanced causal modeling technique named the grey influence analysis (GINA). Moreover, IC plays a crucial function in reducing the size, boosting the speed and improving the dependability of electronic devices. The widespread use of these technologies has led to advancements in sectors such as communications, healthcare, transportation and entertainment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates 12 factors related to the barriers to manufacturing IC chips. In addition, experts from an Indian semiconductor manufacturing organization have validated the presence of these barriers. In addition, the research employs a novel GINA to investigate and comprehend the influence relationships between these barriers.
Findings
To successfully manufacture IC chips in India, the “Government Policies and Regulations (B11),” “Lack of Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities (B1)” and “Dependence on Imported Raw Materials and Components (B2),” were the critical barriers that must be addressed and overcome, as per the GINA result.
Practical implications
The author highlighted that a lack of fabrication plants could lead to limited production of the semiconductor chips and that a lack of local fabs can hinder the development of advanced technologies. The complex policy can significantly affect the set-up of new semiconductor fabs, hamper the overall growth of the semiconductor market and divert away foreign investors. This further creates restrictions on employment creation and undermines the economy.
Originality/value
Although semiconductor applications have several benefits, more research is needed to identify the barriers to manufacturing IC chips in India, making this study unique. In addition, the advanced GINA method is also used to examine the critical barriers and their interconnection based on an expert response-based study from an Indian semiconductor organization.
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The author explores the challenges to implementation of Industry 5.0 in the manufacturing sector, considering the developing economy context and studying the causal relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
The author explores the challenges to implementation of Industry 5.0 in the manufacturing sector, considering the developing economy context and studying the causal relationships among factors using an advanced causal modelling technique, the Grey Influence Analysis (GINA). The challenges were further classified based on importance and their influencing power.
Design/methodology/approach
The author uses the novel causal modelling technique of GINA to study and understand the influence relations among the challenges to implementation of Industry 5.0.
Findings
Based on the results from the expert response-based study in the Indian manufacturing industry, it is seen that the Regulatory challenges (RGC) appear to be the most important challenge that needs to be tackled first, while implementing Industry 5.0. Integration with existing systems and Ethical challenges (ETC) emerge as the second and third most important in the category of challenges, as per the results from the GINA analysis.
Research limitations/implications
The RGC and the ETC need to be addressed prior to implementation and it is necessary to check whether the technologies comply with regulations and whether it creates serious job displacements. While implementation, the challenges with integration to existing systems can be appropriately tackled.
Practical implications
As a practical implication of the study, the author suggests that a proactive and reactive approach can be adopted to implement the Industry 5.0 concepts to reality. The RGC can be viewed for the adoption of technology, integration challenges can be viewed by understanding the existing systems, and ETC can be addressed by understanding the workforce in combination with technologies.
Originality/value
The shift in focus on sustainability and resilience has transformed the conventional industries to think beyond efficiency and productivity, toward being more responsible to society. The study analyzes the challenges to implementation of Industry 5.0 and the causal relations among them considering an expert response-based study.
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Ferdinand Balfoort, Rachel Francis Baskerville and Rolf Uwe Fülbier
The evolution of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) was nurtured by economists and accountants loyal to the philosophical basis of what is often referred to as…
Abstract
Purpose
The evolution of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) was nurtured by economists and accountants loyal to the philosophical basis of what is often referred to as “Western” market economies, being classical and neoclassical contracting theories. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a particular Asian cultural attribute (guānxì ) impacts on the efficacy of fair value measurement.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a literature review and research of studies of the adoption of IFRS in China, studies of both guānxì and fair value in Chinese accounting research, this study unbundles Williamson’s governance structure and contracting theory to examine how guānxì is positioned orthogonally to fair value (market-oriented valuation) principles for financial reporting. This is followed by a case study of the events surrounding the collapse of China Medical Technologies.
Findings
Guānxì is integral to Asian economies and economic transactions. Resulting conditions, characterised by relational contracting, may not meet the qualitative characteristics of neutrality and faithful representation in fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. The same may be true when insider or “trusted party transaction” values prevail for large ticket transactions among entities in any jurisdiction.
Research limitations/implications
Future research on the impact of guānxì may be constrained by its often hidden, and yet dynamic, character; and the varieties of its manifestations.
Originality/value
This study highlights how difficult it may be to achieve both comparability and relevance in the asset and liability recognition and measurement rules in Asian (and possibly also other) economies adopting accounting principles that are developed in a Western context.
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Amy Klemm Verbos and De Vee E. Dykstra
The purpose of this paper is to explore female business faculty perceptions about attrition from a business school to uncover factors that might assist in female faculty retention…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore female business faculty perceptions about attrition from a business school to uncover factors that might assist in female faculty retention in business schools.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative study approach and guided by past literature, the paper systematically analyses open-ended responses to interview questions and notes emergent themes.
Findings
The major themes that emerged as factors leading to attrition: first, an exclusionary and managerialist culture which marginalized and demoralized women; second, curtailed career opportunities, including a lack of gender equity in promotion and tenure; third, poor leadership; and fourth, break up of a critical mass of women. The factors then that might assist in female faculty retention are a critical mass of women, gender equity, inclusive, collaborative cultures, psychological safety, and ethical leadership. The career patterns of the women indicated that a labyrinth is an apt metaphor for their career paths.
Research limitations/implications
This research examines just one school from the perspective of women who left. It holds promise as the basis for future studies across business schools and to faculty within business schools to determine whether the emergent themes hold across schools.
Originality/value
This study examines women in business academe through the attraction-selection-attrition framework and by extending the labyrinth career metaphor to an academic setting. The paper also provides a conceptual model of female faculty retention.
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Siyuan Zhou and Jing Song
This study aims to examine whether skilled female migrants can overcome gender constraints and social stigma attached to women’s service work in host societies.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine whether skilled female migrants can overcome gender constraints and social stigma attached to women’s service work in host societies.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on interviews with 40 women who moved from mainland China and entered Hong Kong’s cross-border insurance business, the study examines how highly educated young women negotiate gender expectations and mobilize social networks in doing business.
Findings
This study finds different strategies women used in mobilizing social networks and constructing gender identities: some relied heavily on the warm market – networks of their family, relatives and friends – in doing business and developed careers by performing dutiful daughters, considerate “nieces” and caring “sisters”; some women also relied on the warm market but their jobs were regarded as nonconventional, and they had to deal with suspicions of inappropriate and instrumental womanhood and tried to prove themselves and gain support in the warm market; some women relied mainly on the cold market – connections with strangers – and performed feminine affinity to expand client networks away from judgments of families and friends; and some other women chose to expand the cold market by cultivating a professional image among strangers.
Originality/value
The findings speak to previous research about women’s subordinate roles in migrant networks and their devalued femininity in service work by illustrating women’s diverse forms of agency in negotiating gender identities in the stratified service sectors.
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Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui, Patrick van Esch and Shailendra Pratap Jain
This paper aims to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled checkouts on consumers’ purchase intent and evaluations of the retailing atmosphere. It also…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled checkouts on consumers’ purchase intent and evaluations of the retailing atmosphere. It also offers novel findings pertaining to the mediating role of arousal and moderation by innovativeness importance on consumers’ responses toward AI-enabled checkouts.
Design/methodology/approach
Three pilot studies, two field studies and one online experiment featuring 1,567 respondents were conducted by manipulating checkout methods.
Findings
AI-enabled checkouts lead to a higher level of arousal, which, in turn, yields more favorable store atmosphere evaluations and higher purchase intent. Furthermore, the positive effect of AI-enabled checkouts is moderated by consumers’ innovativeness importance.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the emerging body of AI research and demonstrates a novel perspective by illuminating that under certain circumstances, AI-enabled checkouts lead to more positive outcomes relating to store atmosphere evaluations and purchase intent, as well as the unintended effect of heightened arousal.
Practical implications
This study shows how marketers and practitioners can promote consumers’ evaluations and patronage likelihood effectively by harnessing AI-enabled checkouts for those who consider innovativeness as important.
Originality/value
This research documents the novel findings of how and when AI-enabled checkouts garner more favorable consumer responses.
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Salman Ghazwani, Patrick van Esch, Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui and Prachi Gala
This paper aims to investigate the impact of financial anxiety and convenience on the relation between cashier-less versus traditional checkouts and purchase intentions among…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of financial anxiety and convenience on the relation between cashier-less versus traditional checkouts and purchase intentions among Saudi Arabian consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
In an online experiment, 329 Saudi participants were randomly assigned to one of two checkout conditions (traditional vs. AI-enabled) in a between-subjects design and indicated their financial anxiety. Through moderation-of-process design, the authors examine and showcase that the effect of convenience leads to higher purchase intent for AI-enabled checkouts. Moreover, the authors examine financial anxiety as an underlying mechanism and show that for high-convenience consumers, this enacts higher purchase intent.
Findings
The effect of AI-enabled checkouts depends on consumers' convenience perception. High-convenience consumers prefer AI-enabled checkouts over traditional ones, whereas low-convenience consumers are indifferent. Based on the Roy adaptation model theoretical framework, this occurs because high-convenience consumers experience greater financial anxiety when using AI-enabled checkouts, which in turn leads to higher purchase intent.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the reactions of Saudi Arabian consumers toward cashier-less stores versus traditional stores. Interestingly, their intent to purchase increases, due to the financial anxiety they experience while encountering AI-enabled transactions. Due to the limited research of retailers going cashier less, little is known about consumer reactions and how they may differ culturally.
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Alina-Petronela Haller, Mirela Ștefănică, Gina Ionela Butnaru and Rodica Cristina Butnaru
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation, energy consumption and patents on environmental technologies on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation, energy consumption and patents on environmental technologies on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) recorded in European countries for a period of nine years (2010–2018).
Design/methodology/approach
Two empirical methods were integrated into the theoretical approach developed based on the analysis of the current scientific framework. Multiple linear regression, an extended version of the OLS model, and a non-causal analysis as a robustness method, Dumitrescu–Hurlin, were used to achieve the proposed research objective.
Findings
Digitalisation described by the number of individual Internet users and patents on environmental technologies determines the amount of GHG in Europe, and economic growth continues to have a significant effect on the amount of emissions, as well as the consumption of renewable energy. European countries are not framed in well-established patterns, but the economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation and renewable energy have an impact on the amount of GHG in one way or another. In many European countries, the amount of GHGs is decreasing as a result of economic growth, changes in the energy field and digitalisation. The positive influence of economic growth on climate neutrality depends on its degree of sustainability, while patents have the same conditional effect of their translation into environmentally efficient technologies.
Research limitations/implications
This study has a number of limitations which derive, first of all, from the lack of digitalisation indicators. The missing data restricted the inclusion in the analysis of variables relevant to the description of the European digitalisation process, also obtaining conclusive results on the effects of digitalisation on GHG emissions.
Originality/value
A similar analysis of the relationship among the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation and renewable energy is less common in the literature. Also, the results can be inspirational in the sphere of macroeconomic policy.