1,720,980 research outputs found
Hard and soft governance mechanisms for large projects. A historical perspective
Full text linkPurpose – Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the time factor affects the use of governance mechanisms to pursue the success of these projects. Design/methodology/approach – To pursue its aim, the article applies the dichotomization between the hard and soft mechanisms of project governance to the analysis of a historical case study, whose findings are organized over the short, medium and long periods. The case selected is referred to the peculiar water system, made up of tunnels named “bottini,” that was in use in Siena (Italy) as the old aqueduct. Specifically, the study focuses on the project of expansion of this water system that was realized during the 14th century for the construction of the “Bottino maestro di Fontegaia.” Findings – This article highlights the different relevance that, during the lifecycle of large projects, is assumed by hard and soft governance mechanisms, with the former having main relevance in a short and medium period, and the latter usually emerging in the medium period and, subsequently, playing a growing role for the project success in the long period. Originality/value – The article contributes to the literature on large projects by providing novel insights about how the time factor impacts the governance of these projects. Furthermore, the case study, with its unique history, highlights the relevance of combining effectively the hard and the soft dimensions of project governance to pursue success
Accounting for sustainability in water supply: the case of the ‘Bottini Aqueduct’ in medieval times
No full textDrawing motivation from the importance of water for life on Earth in current times and the past, this article investigates the role of accounting in favouring the sustainability of water supply in medieval times by discovering and integrating its financial, social, and environmental dimensions. This period was characterised by demographic and economic growth, which led to increasing water needs and interventions for water supply. We analyse a historical case study, whose conventional accounting is reinterpreted according to the ‘accounting for sustainability’ framework. The case of reference is the city of Siena (Italy) in medieval times with its peculiar water supply system, the ‘Bottini Aqueduct’, undertaken primarily during the thirteenth century. First, this article delves into the pivotal role of conventional accounting in unveiling and monitoring the financial, social, and environmental dimensions of water supply interventions; second, by proposing the metaphor of the ‘tree of life’, it emphasises the role of accounting in favouring the integration of these dimensions by supporting the incorporation of environmental resources–such as water–in the life of society and economy, as sap flows from the roots to the branches in a living tree
Integrating qualitative system dynamics with accounting practices: The case of integrated reporting and resource mapping
No full textThe article explores the role of qualitative System Dynamics (SD) in evaluating the information presented in corporate accounting reports. Particularly, this study focuses on a recent corporate report called Integrated Reporting (<IR>), and analyses the <IR> information using a specific qualitative SD technique, resource mapping, in order to visualize the key resources and their connections responsible for the performance of the organization. The study’s contribution is twofold. First, it provides insights on how to apply qualitative SD in the field of management accounting and corporate reporting. Second, it verifies the benefits of combining qualitative SD and corporate reporting tools to develop new knowledge useful to represent and face the dynamic complexity implicit in a business domain
Enhancing urban sustainability through calculative practices and simulations
Full text linkPurpose: This study investigates the performative role of calculative practices in urban decision-making by combining simulation tools and accounting measures. Specifically, this study proposes both theoretical and practical approaches to support the development of an integrated approach for formulating urban sustainability and circular economy policies. Design/methodology/approach: This study combines performativity theory with Systems Thinking and System Dynamics, presenting findings from two simulation sessions focused on developing sustainability and circular economy policies for a virtual urban environment. A System Dynamics simulator (interactive learning environment) was used to facilitate the simulations and support decision-making. Findings: This study demonstrates the potential of combining accounting and simulation principles (specifically, Systems Thinking and System Dynamics) to enhance interactions between human agents and support decision-making through a rigorous and quantified simulation model. It also proposes an approach that fosters the integrative potential of calculative practices in urban sustainability decisions. Originality/value: This study offers a novel approach by combining accounting concepts with Systems Thinking and System Dynamics principles and tools to facilitate human-agent interaction and support decision-making in complex and dynamic environments, such as urban sustainability. It specifically examines circular economy policies in cities and provides new insights into applying performativity theory in this context, thereby offering novel practical implications
Developing forward-looking orientation in integrated reporting
No full textPurposeAccording to the “strategic focus and future orientation” principle of the integrated reporting (<IR>) framework, <IR> should provide information useful to support investors in assessing the future financial performance of organizations. This study aims to support the operationalization of this function by improving the forward-looking orientation of the integrated report.Design/methodology/approachBasing on the backward- and forward-looking disclosure in <IR> and the dynamic resource-based view (DRBV), this study develops an explorative case study building a quantitative simulation model based on an integrated report.FindingsThis study provides useful insights into how operationalizing the <IR> “future orientation” and obtaining more quantitative information on the organization’s capacity to create value in the future by applying DRBV and quantitative simulation modeling.Research limitations/implicationsThe article presents one case study to explore the method suggested to improve the <IR> forward-looking orientation. Additional case studies applying the same research design should be certainly useful to refine the method.Practical implicationsSupporting the <IR> forward-looking orientation, this study provides additional information for the decision-making process of investors, thus contributing to the efficient and productive allocation of capital.Originality/valueFew studies have investigated forward-looking information in integrated reports, highlighting the existence of an “information gap” referred to such disclosure. Overcoming these previous results, the study provides useful insights on how to improve the <IR> forward-looking orientation.</p
Searching for the missing link between business model and strategy: the Integrated Reporting perspective
No full textThe concept of “business model” is receiving an increasing attention by the academic literature. However, despite the growing use of the concept, a clear definition has rarely been provided, and several studies enquired its relationship with the concept of business strategy. Overall business model and strategy are usually considered separate although interconnected concepts. Starting from these considerations, this chapter aims at contributing to the debate aforementioned, focusing on the relationship between business model and strategy as presented by the Integrated Reporting Framework drafted by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). To achieve this aim, this chapter relies on the public IIRC database as the primary source of information and documents, and discusses six reports developed by six organizations belonging to the healthcare industry. The choice of this business sector relates to its peculiarities, such as the unpredictability of its outputs, the duration of its R&D plans, and the necessity of designing and implementing sustainable strategies to gain long-term competitive advantage. The six reports are analyzed adopting content analysis as the main methodological choice. Additionally the chapter analyzes and discusses the business model visual representations inserted into the six integrated reports selected for this study
Practicing Lean Strategy: Hoshin Kanri and X-Matrix in a healthcare-centered simulation
No full text• Purpose: This article builds on the debate regarding the application of Lean Strategy principles and tools in modern organizations, specifically focusing on the healthcare sector. This article’s aims are threefold: a) to highlight the potential role played by Lean Strategy tools for strategic planning and strategic management, particularly in reference to the Hoshin Kanri policy deployment system and the FAIR method; b) to discuss how Lean Strategy can be operationalized, specifically relying on the X-Matrix reporting tool; and c) to explore how simulation techniques, in the form of Role-Playing, may support the aforementioned operationalization of Lean Strategy while at the same time promoting policy-making and knowledge sharing.
• Design/Methodology/Approach: This research adopts a case study approach. Specifically, the article relies on the use of a Role-Playing Lean Strategy project developed in a healthcare setting.
• Findings: The article highlights the potential for the Hoshin Kanri policy deployment process in healthcare, also emphasizing the main strengths of X-Matrix reporting and the usefulness of the Role-Playing technique to support learning acquisition and decision-making.
• Practical Implications: The article demonstrates how a Lean Strategy simulation project may be effectively used for strategic planning/management and to train professionals in healthcare. To achieve these aims, a methodology to design and implement simulation-based Lean Strategy projects in healthcare is presented and discussed.
• Originality/Value: A review of the academic literature indicates that Lean Strategy is still an emerging research topic addressed by only a limited number of articles. The article contributes to a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of Lean Strategy (particularly Hoshin Kanri and X-Matrix) with particular reference to the healthcare sector
Corporate disclosure, materiality, and integrated report: An event study analysis
Full text linkWithin the extensive literature investigating the impacts of corporate disclosure in supporting the sustainable growth of an organization, few studies have included in the analysis the materiality issue referred to the information being disclosed. This article aims to address this gap, exploring the effect produced on capital markets by the publication of a recent corporate reporting tool, Integrated Report (IR). The features of this tool are that it aims to represent the multidimensional impact of the organization's activity and assumes materiality as a guiding principle of the report drafting. Adopting the event study methodology associated with a statistical significance test for categorical data, our results verify that an organization's release of IR is able to produce a statistically significant impact on the related share prices. Moreover, the term "integrated" assigned to the reports plays a significant role in the impact on capital markets. Our findings have beneficial implications for both researchers and practitioners, adding new evidence for the IR usefulness as a corporate disclosure tool and the effect of an organization's decision to disclose material information
A template to visualize sustainability data with Resource Mapping: insights from Integrated Reporting practices
No full textThis study illustrates a template to code qualitative data contained in sustainability reports to generate a formalized Resource Map developed according to System Dynamics (SD) principles and concepts. The resulting System Dynamics-based resource map can be used to assist decision makers in discussing and developing sustainable value creation policies, as well as understand their short-, medium- and long-term consequences if the resource map is translated into a fully working SD model
Le osservazioni sui bilanci e le relazioni di corporate governance
No full textIl contributo analizza le correlazioni esistenti fra le variabili rilevate concernenti la disclosure dei compensi corrisposti agli amministratori delle società italiane quotat
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