1,721,036 research outputs found
The Demographic and Economic Determinants of Financial Sustainability: An Analysis of Italian Local Governments
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of demographic and economic variables on financial sustainability in Italian local governments (ILGs). Many international organizations have highlighted the importance of pursuing financial sustainability, and identifying what the factors impacting financial sustainability are, allowing to manage risk and opportunities as well as to support the decision-making process better. A total of 104 ILGs with more than 60,000 inhabitants were investigated for the year 2018. The adjusted income statements served as the dependent variable of a regression model for testing several demographic and economic variables. The results showed that demographic factors did not influence financial sustainability while, regarding the economic variables, there was a negative influence of financial autonomy and positive influence of the level of indebtedness. These values indicate a pathological scenario where local governments pursue short-term strategies that will impact future generation
Disclosing Information on Financial and Non-Financial Capitals in the Integrated Report: An Empirical Analysis of Financial Industry
No full textThis study investigates how firms within the financial industry disclose financial and non-financial information in
their integrated reports, by analyzing a sample of the banking sector published over five years (2014–2018).
During the first phase, a content analysis methodology was conducted to investigate the disclosure level of six
forms of capital, i.e., capitals. A principal component analysis then was implemented to reduce the dimensionality
and investigate the relationship between capitals’ information. The main findings show that during the observed
period, the focus mainly is on financial capital, while information on non-financial capitals is underdeveloped. A
relationship exists among all non-financial capitals, but not between financial and non-financial capitals. The
paper contributes to the academic debate on the use of integrated reports (IRs) in practice, providing useful insights
regarding financial and non-financial disclosure
Joined Application Of Computational And Experimental Methods To The Structural And Dynamic Study Of Proteins
No full textDuring the past three decades, Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer
simulations have considerably contributed to our understanding at the
atomic level of the properties of molecular systems. MD simulation results
can sometimes be compared directly with experimental ones and thus, they
become an extremely powerful tool not only to understand and interpret the
experiments at the microscopic level, but also to study regions which are not
accessible experimentally.
In the present thesis computational and experimental methods we
jointly applied to the study of three complex and biologically relevant model
systems: the Human Topoisomerase IB (HTop1), an enzyme able to control
DNA topological states; the Cu,Zn Superoxide dismutase from Haemophilus
ducreyi (HdSOD), having the unique ability among SODs of binding an heme
molecule; and the Human Prion Protein (HuPrP), an ubiquitary glycoprotein
whose misfolding is known to cause several neurodegenerative diseases. MD
simulations were performed, for the Htop1 system, to investigate the effects
of the substitution of a polar residue with a smaller, non polar one in the
hinge region on which the protein hinges to open and close around the
incoming DNA double strand. Analyses proved to be able to disclose the
structural an dynamic features underling the observed experimental
behaviour of the wild type and mutated systems. The study of the effect of
the binding of a CO molecule at the heme group at subunits interface of
HdSOD required the construction of an ad hoc force field and the
conformational sampling obtained was tested by checking its ability to
reproduce the experimental data collected by means of XAFS. The MD
simulations evidenced “long range effect” of the gaseous molecule binding,
involving the active site. Finally, XAFS technique was exploited to
characterize the HuPrP interaction (in the native and in a pathological
mutated form) with a copper ion, overcoming the several hindrances for the
obtaining of a NMR or X-ray structure. MD simulations of the models
obtained, validated as for HdSOD systems, revealed features suggesting a
role for the ion in facilitating misfolding process, according to what
previously hypothesized in literature.
Our results, together with several others available today, make it clear
that the applications of MD will play an even more important role for the
understanding of biology in the future.CASPUR (Consorzio interuniversitario per le Applicazioni di Supercalcolo per Università e Ricerca
Drivers for the voluntary adoption of consolidated financial statements in local governments
No full textThis paper investigates consolidated financial statements (CFS), which have been implemented
by several countries. In Italy, CFS implementation was preceded by a testing period in which
local governments could participate on a voluntary basis. This paper explains why this was a
useful preliminary step to implementing CFS: the local governments that took part in the
testing period were able to enhance their knowledge of the topic while improving their
employees’ skills.
IMPACT
The study highlights the benefits of a testing period for local government politicians and
managers when important accounting reforms, such as implementing consolidated financial
statements (CFS), are being introduced. A testing period can enhance knowledge on the
accounting standards, as well as improving employees’ skills and citizens’ perception of local
government performance. Central governments are encouraged to provide technical
assistance to local governments through training or providing manuals to facilitate the
implementation of CFS. Moreover, feedback from the testing period could support the
revision of accounting rules and standards
Implementing the multiple capitals model in integrated reporting: insight from a case study
No full textPurpose
This study aims to explore the process of identifying and defining multiple capitals in the integrated report (IR) of a government-owned tourism company.
Design/methodology/approach
Interventionist research was conducted using a case study design. The researcher was directly involved in developing the first IR of Zètema, a heritage and tourism company owned by the Municipality of Rome. The research team analyzed internal reports, business model (BM), strategic plan and marketing plan, and collected data through semistructured interviews and participation in company meetings.
Findings
A template based on a step-by-step deductive process to select and define relevant capitals was derived. Following this process, an appropriate form of capital emerged: “cultural capital”. Furthermore, this study emphasizes a novel awareness of the different meanings that capitals can assume as inputs and outcomes of a BM.
Originality/value
This study meets the demand for empirical research that investigates real information in integrated reports intended for those for whom value is created. Thus, the paper contributes to the existing knowledge on integrated reporting by examining the partially explored concept of capital, particularly its identification process. Furthermore, this study provides support to preparers of integrated reports by defining a conceptual reference model for the disclosure of significant capitals and underlining the importance of distinguishing capitals as input or outcome
Micro- and mesoscopic structural features of a bio-based choline-amino acid ionic liquid
No full textHigh energy X-ray diffraction data from a bio-based ionic liquid constituted by choline ([cho]) and an amino acid (AA), namely n-leucine ([nle]), are presented and described by means of an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation aiming at extracting detailed structural information at both microscopic and mesoscopic spatial scales. We find that similar to other previously studied analogous systems, a strong, hydrogen bonding driven, cation–anion correlation determines the microscopic structure. While other peculiar correlations exist in this [cho][nle] IL, the medium length alkyl tail of the AA leads to the development of a characteristic polar vs. apolar alternation, as a consequence of the alkyl tails segregation into domains, thus delivering the formation of an enhanced level of mesoscopic organization in this IL
How to Manage the Components of Financial Sustainability in Local Governments
No full textThis study aims to evaluate three dimensions proposed by the IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) in
relation to impact financial sustainability. These dimensions are service, revenue, and debt. In 2017 and 2018, a
regression analysis was conducted for Italian local governments on the different components of financial
sustainability. Based on goal-setting theory, and in combination with the ambition to pursue adequate good
financial sustainability, significant results were demonstrated. It was seen that these local governments would
have to maintain a good level of autonomy with current revenue. They would also need to control the quantity
and quality of service in order to pursue financial sustainability. This study suggests practical implications for
policymakers and the managerial class, and it seeks to identify methods to drive and keep financial sustainability
under control. It also seeks to define current and future management strategies that focus on pursuing
intergenerational equity in local governments
- …
