Suchergebnisse

Purpose This study investigates the association between family firm status and the maturity level of management control systems (MCSs) by considering the moderating effect of process digitalization.Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted an empirical analysis on a sample of 106 Italian firms, utilizing both ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression in this study.FindingsBy resorting to the MCS maturity model proposed by Marx et al. (2012), the empirical findings reveal that family firms do not differ from their nonfamily counterparts regarding MCS maturity. Furthermore, the degree of process digitalization is positively associated with the probability of adopting IT-related technologies in MCSs. Digitalization negatively moderates the relationship between family firm status and MCS maturity, resulting in family firms exhibiting a lower MCS maturity level than their nonfamily counterparts.Research limitations/implications Despite similar efforts in the digitalization process, family firms lag behind in the adoption of IT-enabled MCSs, which suggests that reduced agency issues in family firms constrain the MCS maturity level.Practical implications This study can assist practitioners in implementing a more mature MCS by considering the interplay between internal digitalization processes and family status of the firm, thereby enhancing the decision-making process.Originality/value This study adds novelty to an underexplored area at the intersection of MCSs, family firms and digitalization.

In the last decade, an increasing number of analyses of accounting history literature have been undertaken to classify historical research paths and to "map" the variety of approaches and issues of the discipline in different geographical settings so as to make international comparisons. The paper develops these topics in the Italian context by studying the development of accounting history research (AHR) in the last 15 years. Contributions by Italian authors have been published in international and national specialist journals as well as in more general accounting journals. Other papers have been presented and published in the proceedings of the biannual SISR (Società Italiana di Storia della Ragioneria) Congress and in the Congress celebrating the 500th anniversary of the publication of Pacioli's Summa held in Venice in 1994. The findings chart publication trends during the period 1990–2004 from a quantitative and qualitative perspective, based on different dimensions, the dynamic of change in Italian AHR, and its possible limitations. The paper is informed by an international perspective and causal interpretations are attempted.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the content, frequency and quality of intellectual capital voluntary disclosure (ICVD) and the changes that took place over two years (2005 and 2006) in a sample of 37 sustainability reports published by Italian listed companies.Design/methodology/approachThe intellectual capital framework consists of three levels: "IC categories", "IC items" and "IC indicators", while content analysis was performed using a quality multidimensional scheme composed of three disclosure profiles, namely, time orientation, nature of information and type of information.FindingsThe findings evidence a high and increasing incidence over time of ICVD, with strong emphasis on human capital disclosure, which represents the most reported category, followed by relational and organisational capital. ICVD is mainly expressed in non‐financial, quantitative and non‐time‐specific terms with a low level of forward‐looking information.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on a small sample of sustainability reports; the content analysis process entails some subjective judgments.Practical implicationsFrom a firm perspective, sustainability reports can be used in synergy with annual reports and other public and private documents to provide IC information. From a user perspective, sustainability reports can be used to acquire IC information over and above information acquired from other documents.Originality/valueSustainability reports and ICVD quality have thus far been investigated only to a limited extent. The paper also discusses the potential of ICVD in sustainability reports from a user perspective.