Berit Adam, Isabel Brusca, Eugenio Caperchione, Jens Heiling, Susana Margarida F. Jorge and Francesca Manes Rossi
The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether higher education institutions (HEIs) in EU Member States are aware of the relevance of the ongoing reforms in public sector…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether higher education institutions (HEIs) in EU Member States are aware of the relevance of the ongoing reforms in public sector accounting (PSA) and the need to prepare their students to become expert professionals in that area. It particularly assesses whether these organizations currently provide, or will provide in the near future, education on International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS)/EPSAS, so that a sufficient number of graduates will be ready to match the foreseeable demand for experts in IPSAS/EPSAS.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a purposive sample, the paper compares the situation in four EU countries (Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain). Data have been obtained through a questionnaire provided to selected professors in relevant HEIs in the selected countries.
Findings
HEIs are giving only limited room to PSA and financial management, with differences in terms of program offerings and coverage of topics among the four countries. Furthermore, in most cases, the programs are adapted to the national budgetary and accounting standards and courses are seldom focused on the IPSASs.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature on PSA harmonization, through an innovative analysis of PSA and financial management teaching, both at national and international levels.
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Public sector accounting (PSA) education has recently become the focus of scholars and practitioners alike. The article aims to reflect on PSA education from a practitioner’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Public sector accounting (PSA) education has recently become the focus of scholars and practitioners alike. The article aims to reflect on PSA education from a practitioner’s perspective. Based on the author's experiences with accounting change projects in the public sector and teaching PSA education at different higher education institutions (HEIs) and levels, possible implications are derived for PSA education.
Design/methodology/approach
The article represents a viewpoint by a practitioner. Examples of selected practical PSA issues are used to derive implications for PSA education.
Findings
The author suggests that it is likely time to rethink the design of PSA education in higher education. The growing complexities of PSA as well as its interdisciplinarity make it necessary that a full study programme at master level is needed to cover the requirements in practice and prepare graduates for the challenges lying ahead.
Practical implications
The author finds that there is a possible gap in PSA education. Study programmes on PSA/PFM at master level are needed to cover the requirements in practice and prepare graduates for the challenges lying ahead.
Originality/value
The author contributes to the growing body of literature on PSA education by offering a practitioner’s perspective on the issue.
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Berit Adam, Jens Heiling and Tim Meglitsch
The principle of prudence plays a critical role in the design of national and international public sector accounting. Whereas in private sector accounting there is a substantial…
Abstract
The principle of prudence plays a critical role in the design of national and international public sector accounting. Whereas in private sector accounting there is a substantial body of literature with regard to conservatism, the academic debate on the prudence principle in public sector accounting has only started recently. The aim of this chapter is to analyse whether the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) address asymmetric prudence with respect to measurement. This chapter shows that the existence of requirements leading to asymmetric prudence with regard to the measurement of assets is widespread throughout the suite of IPSASs.
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Josette Caruana, Marco Bisogno and Mariafrancesca Sicilia
This introductory chapter elaborates on the tricky issue of measurement in public sector financial reporting, which arises due to the particular features of the public sector when…
Abstract
This introductory chapter elaborates on the tricky issue of measurement in public sector financial reporting, which arises due to the particular features of the public sector when compared to the private sector. It provides a summary of the book chapters, highlighting the theoretical/practical frameworks used, methodologies and conclusions. Three themes are identified in the book, namely, (a) frameworks and methodologies; (b) measuring and reporting the elements in financial statements; and (c) heritage. This chapter identifies important avenues for further research.
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Rainer Olbrich and Hans Christian Jansen
This article aims to close some research gaps by differentiating between brand types and price tiers. Many consumers perceive high prices as signals of high quality, yet…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to close some research gaps by differentiating between brand types and price tiers. Many consumers perceive high prices as signals of high quality, yet researchers tend to find only low average correlations between price and objective quality. Previous studies do not account for market shares and paid prices though.
Design/methodology/approach
A German consumer panel with more than 30,000 households reveals market shares and paid prices. Combining these data with product test ratings, the authors evaluate price-quality relationships with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and distinguish food from non-food products, national brands and private labels and three price tiers.
Findings
High price-quality correlations for national brands and non-food private labels indicate that a higher price signals greater product quality. For food private labels, negative correlation coefficients inhibit the use of price as a quality indicator. The price-quality relationship for food private labels implies strong competition among brand owners, based on the price and quality of their products.
Originality/value
This article investigates price-quality correlations by accounting for paid prices and product market shares; it also reveals differences across food and non-food products, national brands and private labels and different price tiers against the background of competition strategies. By addressing when consumers use price as a quality indicator, it outlines important managerial implications for manufacturers, retailers and consumers.