In banking industry, equity investments classified as available for sale (AFS) are a relevant portion of financial assets. According to IAS 39, they must be measured ("at" and "after" recognition) at fair value. Increases or decreases in this value have to be recognised in the other...

New business practices are mainly characteristic of large firms, especially those quoted on the stock market. Listed companies show a higher commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices because capital markets allow activists to become a firm’s socially oriented shareholders....

New business practices are mainly characteristic of large firms, especially those quoted on the stock market. Listed companies show a higher commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices because capital markets allow activists to become a firm’s socially oriented shareholders....

Ethical issues have received growing attention recently, after corporate scandals and during the current economic crisis. Several initiatives have been adopted to restore confidence and trust in businesses, such as ethics codes. In addition, as a result of those scandals and financial frauds,...

Few studies have analysed the results of public management in terms of social welfare. However, the financial health of local governments is in decline, which means that they are no longer able to provide public services that require financial obligations. This generally results in a reduction...

This study analyses the effect of board diversity (gender and nationality) on performance in banks. By making use of a sample of 159 banks in nine countries during the period 2004–2010, our empirical evidence shows that gender diversity increases bank performance, while national diversity...

A clear relationship has not been found between the modes of public services delivery and the efficiency of local Governments. Studies have been carried out for only one or two services and/or in a concrete year, so the real effect is difficult to generalize.