Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tony Tinker Author-X-Name-First: Tony Author-X-Name-Last: Tinker Title: Public utilities Abstract: How are the prices of utility charges for its services determined? Utility's rates are set on a cost-plus-profit basis. The profit is decided by using the regulated profit % to the amount that a firm invested in assets that produce the services; this investment is termed led the rate base. The regulated profit percentage is usually set at a level that will give the company at return on its investment that is termed the rate base. There are extensive differences between states in how each defines the rate base and in what constitute an allowable expense for rate setting purposes, although the general procedure described in the following as to how the rate-per-unit of service is arrived at in the majority of states. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 89-99 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: public utilises; companies; economic theory; income; tax. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=105139 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:89-99 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Firuz Shukurov Author-X-Name-First: Firuz Author-X-Name-Last: Shukurov Title: Luxembourg tax agreements: did the companies involved in tax agreements with the Luxembourg government do any better than others? Abstract: The Luxembourg tax agreements (LTA, agreements initiated by the Government of Luxembourg to boost investments) area financial scandal leaked for the first time to newspapers in November of 2014 by a group of journalists from the international consortium of investigative journalists. The EU authorities (state aid) have concerns that the companies involved in the LTA were able to reduce their taxes, and that these agreements were signed by multinationals only for tax avoidance purposes thereby avoiding the taxes to be paid in the EU. At the same time, multinationals claim that the LTA were used by them to pursue other management goals, such as expansion of their presence in the EU market and for investment decisions. This paper evaluates whether US multinational companies from the S%P 500, which had been involved in the LTA of 2005–2008, were able to reduce their worldwide tax obligations. By comparing results from various difference-in-difference regressions: traditional, quantile, and semiparametric, I have found that these companies may have saved more on taxes than other US multinationals on the S%P list, which in directly confirms the arguments of EU authorities about the tax aggressiveness of those companies involved in the LTA. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 100-117 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: tax avoidance; transfer pricing; base erosion and profit shifting; tax haven. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=105184 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:100-117 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rossen Petkov Author-X-Name-First: Rossen Author-X-Name-Last: Petkov Title: Prehistorical attempts of accounting in the Magura Cave, present day Bulgaria Abstract: The history of accounting can be traced back to thousands of years B.C. In this paper we argue that recently found drawings in an ancient cave called Magura near the city of Vidin in Bulgaria, could also be included as part of the prehistorical uses of accounting. In the past, this cave has been subject to many explorations and some of the ancient drawings found there have been dated back to almost 40 thousand years B.C. Based on our analysis, we believe with a certain level of confidence that some of the drawings found in the cave Magura are depiction economic events and subsequently a stock owned by people at a certain time. As a result of these findings, we assert that prehistorical attempts of accounting existed at the time of the drawings were made and therefore these findings should have significant inclusion into the history of accounting. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 118-131 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: Magura; history of accounting; sun calendar; hunting scene; Bulgaria. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=105186 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:118-131 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mawussé Komlagan Nézan Okey Author-X-Name-First: Mawussé Komlagan Nézan Author-X-Name-Last: Okey Author-Name: Madeleine Dopé Adjor Author-X-Name-First: Madeleine Dopé Author-X-Name-Last: Adjor Author-Name: Yawo Elinam Ketor Author-X-Name-First: Yawo Elinam Author-X-Name-Last: Ketor Title: How does minimum wage affect employment? Evidence from selected African countries Abstract: How minimum wage legislation affects employment dynamics in Africa? This article examines the relationship between the minimum wage and the employment in selected African countries over the period 1990–2015 using fixed effects estimation and dynamic panel data for selected African countries. Beside the analysis of the effect of minimum wage, the paper also evaluates the determinants of employment in Africa. The results show a negative relationship between minimum wage and employment confirming the neoclassic view that as the price of labour increases, employers will demand less labour. In addition, the previous employment rate has a positive effect on the current employment. Estimates also show that the level of income and education positively affect employment rates. Furthermore, the results show that low level of democracy negatively impacts the employment rates. The effect of minimum wage on employment will help policymakers to correct the labour market imperfections through the manipulation of minimum wages and provide a living wage for the poorest quintile of workers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 132-154 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: employment dynamics; minimum wage; minimum wage legislations; Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=105192 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:132-154 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chandralekha Ghosh Author-X-Name-First: Chandralekha Author-X-Name-Last: Ghosh Author-Name: Ankana Das Author-X-Name-First: Ankana Author-X-Name-Last: Das Title: Drivers of performance of the microfinance institutions in selected South Asian countries Abstract: Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been successfully operating for poverty alleviation and have played significant role in providing financial inclusion. This paper mainly tries to find out the performance drivers of the MFIs by using the data on 91 MFIs in seven selected Asian countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia) over the period 2004–2013 which have different backgrounds of evolution of MFIs. After panel data analysis it is found that MFI specific variables like real yield on gross loan portfolio is positively influencing return on assets (ROA), operational self-sufficiency (OSS) and percent of female borrower but cost per borrower is negatively influencing all the dependent variables. Regulatory quality of the country has positive influence on ROA and profit at margin of the MFIs. Domestic credit and growth of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita have positive impact on percent of women borrower, the representative of the social variable. This paper is important to the investors of MFI institutions, policy makers and regulators. This paper will help them to find out the factors which are influencing the social as well as financial performance of the MFIs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 155-179 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: microfinance; panel data; operational self-sufficiency; performance of Asian countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=105207 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:155-179 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Julie Thies Author-X-Name-First: Julie Author-X-Name-Last: Thies Author-Name: Sebastian Andreas Tideman Author-X-Name-First: Sebastian Andreas Author-X-Name-Last: Tideman Author-Name: Jochen Zimmermann Author-X-Name-First: Jochen Author-X-Name-Last: Zimmermann Title: Patterns of institutional change - the case of accounting regulation in BRICS countries Abstract: This leximetric study covers trends in a broad range of disclosure and enforcement activities in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries from 1991 to 2017. Using institutional theory, we find increasing similarities between the five countries, explained by isomorphism. We also distinguish a pattern between the countries' use of disclosure and enforcement regulation. Disclosure leads enforcement, and enforcement remains less intense and more varied. Institutional rigidities and associated costs serve as an explanation. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 181-220 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: BRICS; accounting regulation; disclosure; enforcement; emerging economies; institutional change patterns. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=109915 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:181-220 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sana Ben Ghodbane Author-X-Name-First: Sana Ben Author-X-Name-Last: Ghodbane Author-Name: Said Boubchir Author-X-Name-First: Said Author-X-Name-Last: Boubchir Title: Determinants of CSR disclosure level in Islamic banks: evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries Abstract: This study focuses on the analysis of CSR disclosure in the annual reports and websites of the 38 Islamic banks operating in GCC countries during 2014. Our objective is twofold: first, to assess the level and practices of CSR disclosure. Then, analyse the determinants of the decisions of such disclosure. The results of the content analysis show that the level of CSR disclosure in Islamic banks is still below average. Corporate governance is the main theme of this disclosure. Regarding the determinants, the results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that the independence of the board of directors, the characteristics of the SSB, the power of the investment account holders and the importance of the Islamic society in the country are the key factors determining CSR disclosure level in the annual reports and websites of Islamic banks in GCC countries. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 238-259 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: CSR disclosure; Islamic bank; content analysis; governance; AAOIFI. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=109925 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:238-259 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Barine Michael Nwidobie Author-X-Name-First: Barine Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Nwidobie Title: Tax incentives and economic growth in Nigeria: a paradox? Abstract: This study aims to ascertain whether tax incentives in Nigeria have in reality contributed to her economic growth or the purported growth from the granting of tax incentives is a paradox. Analysis of secondary data on identified tax incentives and real GDP values for the period 2000 to 2017 using the OLS shows that tax incentives granted by Nigeria has no influence on Nigeria's real GDP as the incentives were static throughout the study period. A Satterthwaite Welch t-test, the Welch F-test and the ANOVA F analysis of real GDP showed that there exists a statistical difference between real GDP 19 years before the introduction of varied tax incentives in 2000 and 19 years after, but the difference is not attributed to the introduction of varied the static tax incentives regime. Therefore, the purported growth in real GDP in Nigeria from tax incentives is a paradox. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 273-288 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: economic growth; fiscal incentives; foreign direct investment; investment inflows; gross domestic product; GDP; tax incentives. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=109926 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:273-288 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Palash Bandyopadhyay Author-X-Name-First: Palash Author-X-Name-Last: Bandyopadhyay Title: Identification of factors affecting financial performance of gems and jewellery and zari industries in Howrah district, West Bengal Abstract: This paper tries to find out the factors that are influential for financial performance and employability in the district of Howrah, West Bengal, India. Use of zari embroidery is found to be very essential material for dresses since past several centuries. Jewellery work has also a long heritage in India. Both these industries play an important role in Indian economy and employability in India. These industries can be well traced in Howrah district of West Bengal because this district has a long reputation in terms of supplying skilled workers. The research has been conducted by collecting primary data from the personnel engaged in these industries from different blocks of Howrah district through questionnaire and interview method. The data so collected are being analysed by using different statistical tools, namely, frequency analysis, chi-square test, and factor analysis. It is found that 'business volume increase employability', 'cash sales' and 'production volume' are the important factors for financial performance of these industries. Governments have to take initiative to create demand which will lead to increase in production volume and provide easy capital as the sales are made on credit. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 260-272 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: zari; gems and jewellery; demographics; financial performance; West Bengal; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=109928 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:260-272 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marius-Ioan Mihut Author-X-Name-First: Marius-Ioan Author-X-Name-Last: Mihut Author-Name: Andrei-Razvan Crisan Author-X-Name-First: Andrei-Razvan Author-X-Name-Last: Crisan Title: Harmonisation, a road to the public sector accounting modernisation? Abstract: In the last decades, the globalisation had a substantial influence on the accounting field. Thus, the accounting harmonisation has gained more and more ground, including in the public sector. In this context, the purpose of the paper is to identify the steps taken for public sector accounting modernisation, through the accounting harmonisation process, analysed both at the European and international level. The investigation leads to the conclusion that the European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS) represent just a project for the moment, but, at the international level, there are some countries that apply International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) to a different extent. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 221-237 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: harmonisation; public sector; International Public Sector Accounting Standards; IPSAS; European Public Sector Accounting Standards; EPSAS; modernisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=109929 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:221-237 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Musbaudeen Titilope Oladejo Author-X-Name-First: Musbaudeen Titilope Author-X-Name-Last: Oladejo Author-Name: Lisa Jack Author-X-Name-First: Lisa Author-X-Name-Last: Jack Title: Fraud prevention and detection in a blockchain technology environment: challenges posed to forensic accountants Abstract: This paper set out to explore the challenges posed by blockchain to forensic accountants in the prevention and detection of fraud. Blockchain will create a decentralised environment where transactions and data have no third-party control. This technology is capable of disrupting accounting and audit because it is capable of automating financial records and audit processes. The fraud analysis in a digital environment is complex and the evolution of new technologies or innovations such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics have added to these challenges. The framework for analysis adopted is a qualitative study using the library research methodology. The findings portray that blockchain technology is not 100% flawless, impenetrable to malicious attacks and hacking. The results of the study found that technology will affect the core functions of accountants, but the overall effects on the roles of forensic accountants and auditors are still unknown. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 315-335 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: blockchain; fraud; fraud prevention and detection; data mining; forensic accounting skills; audit; digital age. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=110162 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:315-335 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmed Saadeh Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Saadeh Author-Name: Jackie Allen Author-X-Name-First: Jackie Author-X-Name-Last: Allen Title: Challenges and lessons from conducting audit research using social media Abstract: Social media play an increasingly important role as both a means of communication and a source of information. Furthermore, social media provide a variety of time and cost-efficient, as well as participant-friendly, communication and networking channels, which expand the research repertoire in terms of recruitment and conducting interviews. The purpose of this paper is to broaden researchers' understanding of the potential of using social media to facilitate qualitative research, and to guide them in the selection and use of social media channels considering the contextual differences. This paper adopts a qualitative methodology aimed at reflecting on the researcher's experience of recruiting participants and conducting interviews using social media. The paper is the first of its kind to explore the potential of incorporating social media as a tool in qualitative research while considering contextual and cultural factors. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 353-373 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: social media; qualitative research; accounting research; culture; context; reflexivity; recruitment; data collection. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=110163 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:353-373 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vida Botes Author-X-Name-First: Vida Author-X-Name-Last: Botes Author-Name: Mary Low Author-X-Name-First: Mary Author-X-Name-Last: Low Author-Name: Aleena Sutton Author-X-Name-First: Aleena Author-X-Name-Last: Sutton Title: Key audit matters and their implications for the audit environment Abstract: This paper sets out to investigate how the new auditing standard ISA 701: key audit matters addresses issues historically presented by audit reports. The extensive literature around audit reporting highlights that past reforms resulted in a lack of success and the continued existence of the audit expectation gap. Increased auditor liability is one of the major concerns raised by practitioners with the new standard expanding the audit report to include key audit matters. Through a qualitative content analysis examination of the most recent audit reports of the top 100 listed companies on the NZX, ASX and FTSE, key audit matters were identified. The results of the study found that goodwill and intangibles, revenue recognition and taxation were the most common key audit matters. Overall, the results of these findings suggest that these key audit matters may go a long way to addressing the audit expectation gap and issues presented by audit reports. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 374-396 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: audit expectation gap; auditing standard; key audit matters; KAMs; audit reports. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=110164 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:374-396 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Karen A. Van Peursem Author-X-Name-First: Karen A. Van Author-X-Name-Last: Peursem Title: Audit professional scepticism and the classics: does pyrrhonism serve the practitioner? Abstract: This analysis draws on an ancient philosophy to offer how audit regulatory discourse and judicial interpretation come to represent, or fail to represent, the mindset of the philosophical skeptic. Ancient teachings of Pyrrho of Elis, Sextus Empiricus and their modernist peers are brought to bear on concepts formed around what it means to be a 'skeptic'. International auditing standards, ethical codes, personal interviews and a lengthy New Zealand legal judgement reveal professional understandings. Professional discourses are found to be a reductionist form of the skeptical mindset whereby philosophical intent gives way to narrowly-defined and risk-directed interpretations. There is an economy to the professional-sceptic recognising an end-point to enquiry and a less reflexive form of critique. Conclusions reached thus question the authenticity and depth of professional interpretations. Implications for practice offer that a greater commitment to a free-form improvisational enquiry with less dogma-inspiring structures would more closely represent the sceptical pursuit. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 294-314 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: professional skepticism; philosophy; audit practice; auditing standards; skepticism. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=110165 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:294-314 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vida Botes Author-X-Name-First: Vida Author-X-Name-Last: Botes Author-Name: Umesh Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Umesh Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Author-Name: Ronald Botes Author-X-Name-First: Ronald Author-X-Name-Last: Botes Author-Name: Mandeep Singh Author-X-Name-First: Mandeep Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Title: A structured approach to the governance of ethics using the five lines of assurance model Abstract: Across the globe, the corporate world has once again been shaken by the Steinhoff Corporate Scandal, which affected millions of people as the Steinhoff Corporation operated in various countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Once again, the media and the public questioned the absence of organisational ethics. The growth and influence of the multi-billion-dollar organisation has drawn increased media coverage and exposed the lack of business ethics within organisations. This paper reviews the key roles and responsibilities of specific stakeholders in relation to ethical conduct. It deliberates on a combined assurance effort and offers the structure for a comprehensive implementation of organisational ethics. The paper is a multi-disciplined literature study and argues that scant attention has been paid to the development of a framework to facilitate an ethical culture. The paper uses the 'five lines of assurance framework' to illustrate the distinct roles of the various internal and external role players to provide a structured approach to the governance of ethics. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Accounting Pages: 336-352 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2020 Keywords: organisational ethics; assurance framework; governance; stakeholders. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=110166 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecac:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:336-352