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Profile of Early Adopters: SFAS 106
The Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits other than Pensions is a dramatic change in how companies measure the cost of providing other postretirement benefits (OPEBs). Companies must change from pay-asyou go (cash-basis) to an accrual method of accounting that is similar to that used for defined benefit […]
Professionalism and Internal Auditors: A Profile
The concept of professionalism of internal auditors is examined. A survey of a large sample of internal auditors revealed that internal auditors generally conform to a model of professionalism previously applied to other occupations. Especially notable, internal auditors strongly believe in the importance of internal auditing. The relationship between the dimensions of professionalism and levels of education, certification, and rank are also explored. […]
Do the Foxes Guard the Hen House? A Note on Agency Costs
It is a fairly common practice for the CEOs of one corporation to serve on the Board of Directors of another corporation. The question addressed here is the effect that the presence of outside CEOs on the Board of Directors has on the compensation of the firm’s CEO. There are two alternative views that emerge from the literature. One view is […]
The Association Between U.S. and Canadian Prime Rate Changes
A change in the value of one variable often provides information about related variables. This study examines the degree to which changes in the prime interest rates in the United States and Canada are associated. Utilizing a sample of 321 prime rate changes in the two countries through the 197 months ending in May 1991, our analysis shows that nominal rates […]
Determinants of Bank Profitability
This study investigates the determinants of profitability of U.S. commercial banks in the 1970s and 1980s. It is established that banks, depending on their size, may need to exercise greater control over a defined set of variables in order to maximize profits and/or minimize costs. Further, the study provides some indirect evidence of economies of scale/scope in certain aspects of the […]
Sexual Harassment in the Eye of the Beholder: But What Focuses that Eye?
A major difficulty in controlling sexual harassment is that it is actually a perceptual phenomenon. A survey was created to determine what effects a perpetrator’s gender and management status and evaluator’s education have on whether fifteen behaviors are perceived as sexual harassment. Responses indicated a strong negative bias towards male superiors, while a positive […]
The Charon Response: A Needed Act in Dying Organizations
The Charon Response looks at how business firms should deal with the human and emotional consequences of a major work force reduction. Such reductions are a regular feature of the corporate landscape and can be handled in a caring manner if management so chooses. Due to the intense emotions evoked from job loss, the authors argue that the Charon Response is […]
Should Employment Application Fraud Affect Discrimination and Wrongful Discharge Lawsuits?
Several U.S. Courts of Appeals have recently decided cases involving the impact of employment application fraud on discrimination and wrongful discharge suits. These cases are initiated by a terminated employee who sues his former employer claiming the termination was discriminatory or in some other way wrongful. What if it is discovered that the employee, during the employment application process, lied about his […]
Industrial Trade Shows: A Review of What We Know
Industrial trade shows are the second most widely used promotional tool in the marketing mix for industrial firms, ranking after personal selling but well ahead of advertising and direct mail. Use of this medium continues to grow in number of shows, number of companies exhibiting, and dollars spent by vendors. Yet, with few exceptions, little research has been performed on trade […]
