In this paper it is examined whether firms following International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） exhibit higher accounting quality. While IFRS are supposed to improve international comparisons by harmonisatio...In this paper it is examined whether firms following International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） exhibit higher accounting quality. While IFRS are supposed to improve international comparisons by harmonisation and definition of strong principles, Ball （2006） and Nobes （2006） were concerned about differences in the application of IFRS cross-countries and firms. Barth, Landsman ＆ Lang （2008） stated that the flexibility of principles- based International Accounting Standards （IAS） could create incentives for firms to manage earnings. This paper contributes to analyse the impact of IFRS on accounting quality for European firms. The findings show that for firms in the European Union （EU） IFRS produce a negative effect on accounting quality that continues after 2005, when IFRS becomes mandatory. By contrast, for European firms which are not EU members the IFRS adoption increases accounting quality. These results support the concerns about IFRS application and flexibility and indicate that accounting quality does not improve just because the adoption of IFRS is mandatory.展开更多
The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Uni...The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Union, there are no form of agriculture, whether conventional, organic or transgenic, should be excluded. Farmers are free to choose the production type they prefer, without being forced to change patterns already established in the area and without spending more resources. The European Commission defines the term coexistence as the farmers＇ ability to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labelling and/or purity standards. In simple terms, coexistence is a way of allowing farmers to choose between the three agricultural systems. Farmers＇ choice of growing GM or non-GM crops depends not only on technical aspects related to the productivity gains and agronomic benefits to be gained from adopting this technology, but also on consumers＇ preferences. Particularly in Europe, consumers continue to be concerned about the potentially adverse implications of widespread GM crop production for the environment and food safety. Today only 16 Member States have adopted specific legislation on coexistence. Denmark was the first European Country that, in 2004, adopted a coexistence law and it is currently the coexistence reference model in all the European Union.展开更多
Do Eurozone＇s countries converge or diverge over time？ In this paper, the issue of the Eurozone cohesion is analyzed, with emphasis on the North-South axis. The dynamics of 10 economic variables covered the general ...Do Eurozone＇s countries converge or diverge over time？ In this paper, the issue of the Eurozone cohesion is analyzed, with emphasis on the North-South axis. The dynamics of 10 economic variables covered the general performance （GDP, consumption）, price environment （prices and interest rates）, both public and private financial variables and competitiveness （real effective exchange rates, unit labor costs etc.）. The complex analysis of the data indicates that whereas in the most of analyzed variables neither convergence nor divergence can be identified, in the all important competitiveness area the long term divergence between the North and the South of the Eurozone is undeniable. Unless addressed, this dynamics may constitute significant, and perhaps ultimate, threats to the Eurozone cohesion and perhaps to its existence.展开更多
文摘In this paper it is examined whether firms following International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） exhibit higher accounting quality. While IFRS are supposed to improve international comparisons by harmonisation and definition of strong principles, Ball （2006） and Nobes （2006） were concerned about differences in the application of IFRS cross-countries and firms. Barth, Landsman ＆ Lang （2008） stated that the flexibility of principles- based International Accounting Standards （IAS） could create incentives for firms to manage earnings. This paper contributes to analyse the impact of IFRS on accounting quality for European firms. The findings show that for firms in the European Union （EU） IFRS produce a negative effect on accounting quality that continues after 2005, when IFRS becomes mandatory. By contrast, for European firms which are not EU members the IFRS adoption increases accounting quality. These results support the concerns about IFRS application and flexibility and indicate that accounting quality does not improve just because the adoption of IFRS is mandatory.
文摘The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Union, there are no form of agriculture, whether conventional, organic or transgenic, should be excluded. Farmers are free to choose the production type they prefer, without being forced to change patterns already established in the area and without spending more resources. The European Commission defines the term coexistence as the farmers＇ ability to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labelling and/or purity standards. In simple terms, coexistence is a way of allowing farmers to choose between the three agricultural systems. Farmers＇ choice of growing GM or non-GM crops depends not only on technical aspects related to the productivity gains and agronomic benefits to be gained from adopting this technology, but also on consumers＇ preferences. Particularly in Europe, consumers continue to be concerned about the potentially adverse implications of widespread GM crop production for the environment and food safety. Today only 16 Member States have adopted specific legislation on coexistence. Denmark was the first European Country that, in 2004, adopted a coexistence law and it is currently the coexistence reference model in all the European Union.
文摘Do Eurozone＇s countries converge or diverge over time？ In this paper, the issue of the Eurozone cohesion is analyzed, with emphasis on the North-South axis. The dynamics of 10 economic variables covered the general performance （GDP, consumption）, price environment （prices and interest rates）, both public and private financial variables and competitiveness （real effective exchange rates, unit labor costs etc.）. The complex analysis of the data indicates that whereas in the most of analyzed variables neither convergence nor divergence can be identified, in the all important competitiveness area the long term divergence between the North and the South of the Eurozone is undeniable. Unless addressed, this dynamics may constitute significant, and perhaps ultimate, threats to the Eurozone cohesion and perhaps to its existence.
