The purpose of the paper is to examine the type of environmental-related information firms disclose mostly in Ghana,

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of asset misappropriation at the workplace and examines the dominant factors that influence individuals to misappropriate assets at the workplace. Relying on the most recent theory on fraud (the stimulus/pressure, capability, opportunity, rationalization and ego (S.C.O.R.E. model) as the theoretical basis, the study examines the effect of pressure, rationalization, capability, opportunity/strength of internal control system and ego on asset misappropriation at the workplace while controlling for the effect of ethical values. Design/methodology/approach A total of 883 valid responses from individuals working in various organizations in Ghana were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested by means of a structural model analysis using the partial least square based structural equation modelling technique. Findings Results from the structural model analysis demonstrate that individuals misappropriate assets at their workplace due to pressures they face, their ability to rationalize their actions as not wrong, their capabilities and their egos. The results, however, indicate that the extent to which an individual will misappropriate asset depends, to a large extent, on the person’s perception of the strength of internal control mechanisms at the workplace. The findings of the study make significant contributions to the fraud discourse. Originality/value Theoretically, the study is among the first to provide empirical support for the applicability of the S.C.O.R.E. model in the fraud literature. Again, this study extends knowledge on occupational fraud literature by examining an area that has received the least research attention: asset misappropriation. The study also highlights the important role of internal controls in reducing the occurrence of asset misappropriation at the workplace.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the attitude of business students towards the accounting profession and investigate the relationship between students’ attitude and their intention to pursue a degree in accounting. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered survey was used to collect data from students from the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS). A total of 457 questionnaires were used in the empirical analysis. A binary logistic regression analysis technique was employed to analyse the data. Findings The logistic regression analysis demonstrates that intrinsic interest in the accounting discipline, prior exposure to accounting at the senior high level and the desire to pursue professional accounting qualification in future are good predictors of students’ intention to major in accounting. The results also indicate family members, course instructors and other referent group play a crucial role in influencing students’ intention to pursue a career in accounting. Practical implications The findings of this study have important implications for the professional accountancy body and business educators interested in addressing the skill shortage in the accounting profession. Originality/value This study does not only examine students’ attitude towards the accounting discipline but also investigates how such attitudes influence intentions to major in accounting.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the intentions of a section of Ghanaian university students towards whistleblowing and the factors that predict such intentions. Design/methodology/approach This study used the survey method of research, and data was gathered through the use of questionnaires. A total of 524 accounting students from the University of Ghana Business School participated in the survey. The structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the data. Findings The findings of this study show that the sampled students have greater intentions to report wrongdoings when detected and that majority of the students would prefer to use internal mechanisms for reporting purposes than using external means. Further, the study found students’ attitude towards whistleblowing and subjective norm to be key predictors of internal whistleblowing intentions whereas perceived behavioural control was found to have a positive influence on the intention to blow the whistle externally. Research limitations/implications Findings of this study have implications for policymakers who have a keen interest in enhancing whistleblowing activities and whistleblower protection. Originality/value This study provides some insights into the whistleblowing intentions of students. An understanding of the views of students towards whistleblowing and the factors driving their intentions should be useful to organisations that may use these students upon graduation.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the views of employees on the motives behind frequently reported fraudulent activities at the workplace. Using the fraud triangle theory (FTT) as the theoretical lens, the study examines the effect of pressure, opportunity and rationalization on fraudulent acts by employees at the workplace. Design/methodology/approach The study follows a correlational quantitative approach using questionnaires as the main data collection tool. A total of 243 valid responses from employees working in different state-owned enterprises in Ghana were used in the empirical analysis. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested using the partial least square-structural equation modelling technique. Findings The results from the structural analysis showed that pressure, rationalization and opportunity are important in explaining why employees engage in fraudulent activities at the workplace. Originality/value The findings do not only provide empirical support for the applicability of the FTT in the Ghanaian context but most importantly offer some useful insights into the fraud discourse from the public sector workers’ perspective.