1,721,282 research outputs found
New Development: Consolidated Financial Reporting as a stimulus for change in Italian local government
No full textThis article analyses the potential effect of consolidated financial reporting (CFR) on the accounting and reporting systems in Italian local government. As consequence of the increased use of decentralized entities in delivering a variety of public services, Italian local government needs to improve internal and external accountability. Although a number of obstacles (technical, legal and cultural) have been encountered in Italy, initial experience in Tuscany has demonstrated that CFR has benefits for internal and external users. CFR, in addition, is a potential stimulus for the full implementation of accrual accounting and reporting
The concept of consolidation in the public sector: a cross-country comparison
No full textThis article analyses consolidated annual accounts in the public sector in six countries (Sweden, the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia) highlighting the differences and similarities in approaches. The authors also examine international trends and take an in-depth look at the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB
Bridging the accountability gap in hybrid organizations: The case of Malmö-Copenhagen Port
No full textAbstract in UndeterminedPrevious research on hybrid organizations has drawn attention to the accountability gap that is believed to emerge when the provision of public services is transferred to a hybrid organization. In this article we take our point of departure in that research and use a case study method to explore whether this gap can be bridged by existing corporate governance systems or if governance systems specially tailored to hybrid forms need to be developed. The result of the study shows that the process is equally important as the system in place. That is, it is not only the actual system but also how the system is implemented and used that affects the ability to bridge the accountability gap. Points for practitioners This article provides insight into how the hybrid form alters the relationship between citizens, elected politicians and organizations performing public services and, consequently, how the ability to secure accountability in public services changes. The results presented in the article provide politicians and managers in the public sector with knowledge regarding how, by focusing on organizational processes, relationships between stakeholders and performance evaluation can work with improving accountability in hybrid organizations. Further, the article stresses the need for performance evaluation to encompass not only financial aspects, but also the societal values of the public services performed by the hybrid organization
Great expectations but poor results: financial and social performance of the Toscana Energia merger
No full textThis article investigates the importance of mergers in the public sector, analysing the case of Toscana Energia-a gas supplier in Italy. Toscana Energia was formed by merging three entities. There was no improvement in financial performance after the merger. Realistic merger benefits include competitive gains and, in this case, a better deal for consumers. Politicians under pressure to merge should insist on the public sector being the majority owner in utilities. The best merger outcomes are of smaller municipal enterprises
The materiality of consolidated financial reporting – An alternative approach to IPSASB
No full textToday, municipalities can make use of different organisational models and legal entities in order to perform their duties and services towards their citizens. Several scholars and standard setters, e.g., IPSASB, argue that the picture of a municipality's financial position and performance is affected by the definition of the reporting entity and that there is a need for consolidated financial reporting in order to give the whole-of-government picture. Sweden is one of the few countries that actually have introduced consolidated financial reporting. By using data from annual reports, we analyse how consolidated reporting affects the financial picture and the comparability of financial data between different municipalities. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Rischi politici e regolamentativi nel primo caso di attuazione della legge di riforma del settore idrico
No full text
Assessing the influence of socioeconomic drivers on Italian municipal financial destabilization
No full textThe influence of external factors on local government finances, particularly bankruptcies, is much debated. This paper investigates the relationship between regional socioeconomic features and those Italian municipalities that have been declared financially destabilized' (i.e. bankrupt). Statistical evidence confirms that municipalities located in regions with particular socioeconomic features are less exposed to financial destabilization. An early model that attempts to predict local fiscal stress is presented
The effects of corporatisation on financial reporting: The experience of the Italian local governments
No full textMuch has changed over the past few years regarding the quantity and the quality of the financial information the Italian Local Governments (LGs) publish, even as a consequence of the corporatisation of the local public services. The paper is aimed at describing the causes and effects of the corporatisation process, which interested the Italian LGs, and at identifying the possible financial tools in order to improve internal and external accountability. The different dimensions of financial performance are briefly discussed, as well as the technical tools used to measure them according to the accountability and stakeholder approaches. Copyright © 2009, Inderscience Publishers
- …
