Indra Abeysekera

This book provides a comprehensive and critical overview of learning accounting. It illustrates that when learners need to mentally integrate two or more distinct items of information, it places unnecessary demands on cognitive load. The book discusses the cognitive load theory, which assumes that the task of mental integration increases the load on already limited working memory, and it does so to such an extent that learning may be severely impeded. The book also investigates how students could deal with cognitive overload when learning introductory accounting using three instructional design formats: the split-attention format, the integrated format, and the self-managed format.

This book focuses on the social and environmental disclosure practices of socially responsible Chinese firms by constructing a stakeholder-driven, three-dimensional, disclosure index. It is useful for those who want to learn about corporate social responsibilities in the context of Chinese firms.

This book provides a comprehensive and critical overview of learning accounting. It illustrates that when learners need to mentally integrate two or more distinct items of information, it places unnecessary demands on cognitive load. The book discusses the cognitive load theory, which assumes that the task of mental integration increases the load on already limited working memory, and it does so to such an extent that learning may be severely impeded. The book also investigates how students could deal with cognitive overload when learning introductory accounting using three instructional design formats: the split-attention format, the integrated format, and the self-managed format.

Given the increased social and environmental problems in China, this book looks into the social and environmental disclosure practices of socially responsible Chinese listed firms by constructing a stakeholder-driven, three-dimensional, disclosure index. The book contains a three-part study: the first part explores the current status of social and environment disclosure practices. The second part empirically examines the relationship between corporate social and environmental disclosure and various influencing factors (i.e. stakeholders’ power and corporate characteristics). The third part empirically examines the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting (i.e. publishing a CSR report and the quality of the CSR report) and socially responsible reputation.The book finds that the CSR report provided more stakeholder-relevant social and environmental disclosure than the annual report. It also finds that corporate characteristics such as firm size, profitability and industry classification are all statistically significant factors influencing the social and environmental disclosure of the Chinese firms studied. Shareholders significantly influenced firms’ social and environmental disclosure, and creditors significantly influenced firms’ disclosure related to their environmental performance. The final part of the study reports that publishing a CSR report and CSR reporting quality had a positive influence on firms’ socially responsible reputations and that the CEO/chairman duality negatively influenced firms’ socially responsible reputation. This book will be of interest to those who are keen to learn more about corporate social responsibilities in the context of Chinese firms.

This study investigated the management of intellectual capital (observed as internal capital, external capital, and human capital) as a tool for non-financial organizational performance (observed as effectiveness, efficiency, and reputation). The study used self-administered survey questionnaires to collect data on both the intellectual capital and non-financial organizational performance aspects of the Malaysian public sector which has undergone a radical transformation through New Public Management Reforms. The total number of participants was 1,092 covering the three levels (federal, state, and the local governments) of the government. The results of the survey questionnaire were analyzed using a multivariate Structural Equation Model, and revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between intellectual capital and performance. Findings provide useful input to policymakers into the review of the relevant intellectual capital resources, and on improving the public sector performance. From a practical perspective, one way of increasing the level of public sector performance is to tie performance to intellectual capital.

This book examines and explains the intellectual capital reporting practices, with a human capital focus, of firms located in the developing nation of Sri Lanka. The study ascertains the following: first, to what extent the industry groups, based on the number of shareholders, differ in their ICR practices; and second, to what extent firms in Sri Lanka differ from counterparts in other nations in their intellectual capital reporting practices.An important aspect of this book is looking at the practices from a critical perspective to providing a more balanced view of 'good' and 'bad' effects of intellectual capital. The book meticulously outlines an extensive literature review, research methods, the theoretical perspective, findings with an engaging discussion, and concluding remarks. Indra Abeysekera's fine research project is an impressive contribution to an emerging area of interest throughout academia and industry.

This book examines and explains the intellectual capital reporting practices, with a human capital focus, of firms located in the developing nation of Sri Lanka. The study ascertains the following: first, to what extent the industry groups, based on the number of shareholders, differ in their ICR practices; and second, to what extent firms in Sri Lanka differ from counterparts in other nations in their intellectual capital reporting practices.An important aspect of this book is looking at the practices from a critical perspective to providing a more balanced view of 'good' and 'bad' effects of intellectual capital. The book meticulously outlines an extensive literature review, research methods, the theoretical perspective, findings with an engaging discussion, and concluding remarks. Indra Abeysekera's fine research project is an impressive contribution to an emerging area of interest throughout academia and industry.