ACC80008:
Managerial Accounting
Group Assignment: GROUP OF 4
Weighting: 25%
Due Date: 22 September, 2014 @ 12:00 nn
With the introduction of various climate change related legislations in Australia, many companies are now incorporating social/environmental/sustainability measures in their multi-perspective Strategic Performance Measurement Systems (SPMS). An increasing number of Australian companies have shown willingness to publicly disclose their SPMS adoption (see Elijido-Ten, 2011) thereby enabling various stakeholders to evaluate both financial and non-financial performance of the firm. There is, however, mounting criticism that such public disclosures are no more than green-washing mechanisms particularly if the SPMS targets/measures are not linked to rewards system or compensation plans. This is in line with various motivational theories making the favourite quote, -
what gets measured gets done,- self-fulfilling.
Specific Requirements:
A: LITERATURE REVIEW (Word Count - 1,500 to 1,800) (Weighting- 35%)
1. Multi-perspective SPMS Research
Conduct a review of literature on the
use of multi-perspective SPMS such as Balanced Scorecard or Triple (or Quadruple) Bottom Line. Briefly discuss its salient features. Cite academic research discussing real companies experiences (i.e. benefits/pitfalls or challenges; advantages/disadvantages) from their SPMS adoption.
2. Motivation Theories and Reward System Research
Discuss briefly
one theory of motivation and explain how this theory relates to rewards system. Cite academic research discussing the effective forms of rewards/compensation given to top executives and non-executive employees used by real companies. Your discussion should be well supported by relevant academic research. (Hint: Do not rely on your textbook.)
B: COMPANY RESEARCH (Word Count - 1,500 to 1,800) (Weighting- 35%)
1. Company Profile & Disclosure of SPMS
You are required to
select two companies from the Top 100 publicly listed companies in Australia that provide disclosure of their SPMS adoption. One firm must come from an environmentally sensitive industry (e.g. mining, energy/utility, chemical) while the other must be from a non-environmentally sensitive industry (e.g. insurance, financial firms). Briefly outline the profile of the companies chosen. Based on the relevant literature, discuss the criteria chosen in deciding whether the chosen companies adopt a multi-perspective SPMS (see for example Elijido-Ten & Tjan, 2011). Then, examine their SPMS disclosure from publicly available reports such as annual reports, shareholder reviews, sustainability reports, corporate responsibility policies and company websites for 2 years, 2012 and 2013. Over the 2-year period (2012-2013),discuss whether there has been any change in their SPMS disclosure in terms of the perspectives, objectives, measures and targets set.
2. Company Performance & Link to Rewards/Compensation Plan
Analyse
the companies 2012 and 2013 financial performance using appropriate financial measures. Investigate whether the two chosen companies link their SPMS measures/targets with executive rewards/compensation plans. Your analysis and discussion should explain how the companies have either succeeded or failed to strengthen their competitive advantage over the 2-year period you have examined.
C: PRESENTATION (Word Count for Introduction & Conclusion - 800 to 1,000) (Weighting - 30%)
Present your assignment in a research paper format with approximate word length of 4,000 to 4,500 words.
Your report must have an Abstract (about 300 words), Table of Contents, References, Appendices (Note: These are
not included in your word limit of 4000 to 4,500 words.)
Use Harvard referencing style throughout your report.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Students are advised to form their group of 4 as early as possible (latest by Week 3 of the semester). Ideally, its better to form groups with students in your own tutorial class. However, you are allowed to find group mates from other tutorial classes. If you are having difficulty finding group mates, please post a message on Blackboards Discussion Board and inform your tutor as early as possible. This is a group assignment. Under no circumstances would an individual assignment submission be accepted.
The written component of this group assignment will be marked as a group (i.e. all members will receive the same mark overall). In case of dispute among group members, it is possible to mobilise the -teamwork option- (see Part D of the Assignment Feedback Sheet on p. 12).
There will be no extension allowed.
Late submission will be penalised at the rate of 5% per day. Late penalty will apply to ALL hard copy submissions received after 12 noon on 22ndSeptember, 2014.
Important Sources of Information:
o
For Section A, useful references can be found from various academic journals through library electronic databases such as Elsevier, Emerald, Ebscohost, Google Scholar, etc. (An examination of between 10 to 20 articles is a guide to the level of research required.)
o
For Section B, you may use annual reports, sustainability report, shareholder reviews, company websites and library databases such as FinAnalysis, DatAnalysis and Factiva. (Another 10 to 20 articles are expected.)
You may find the following academic research papers useful (take note of the format and content) :
[1]
Elijido-Ten, E (2011), The Impact of Sustainability and Balanced Scorecard Disclosures on Market Performance: Evidence from Australias Top 100, Journal of Applied Management Accounting Research, vol.9, no. 1, pp. 59-73.
Available on:
http://www.cmawebline.org/joomla4/images/stories/JAMAR_2011_Winter/JAMARv9.1-BSC_in_Aust_Top_100.pdf
[2]
Elijido-Ten, E. and Tjan, Y. (2011) -Sustainability Balanced Scorecard Disclosures: An Australian Investigation,- a paper presented to the 10th Australasian Conference on Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR), Tasmania.
Available on:
http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/188442/ElijidoTen_Tjan.pdf
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