Purpose -To analyze recognition of impairment losses in tangible and intangible assets, and their relevance to investors in companies listed in the Lisbon and Madrid Stock Exchange (2007-2011). Findings -We found that the amount of impairment losses showed an upward trend, and that these losses are most significant among intangibles, especially goodwill (GW). We also found that the probability of recognition of impairment losses is positively influenced by the dimension of entities and negatively by market value (p < 0.10). Portuguese export-oriented companies have a higher probability of not recognizing impairments. However, Portuguese companies with higher market values have greater probability of recognizing impairment losses, contrary to the sample as a whole, in which the relationship is negative (p < 0.10). The results also suggest that there is a smoothing effect on results because of impairments, especially in IBEX35 companies. As to the relevance of impairment losses to market value, we confirm a significant negative relationship, in line with conclusions from previous studies. MethodologyOriginality/value -This study contributes to the introduction of the cultural factor in this analysis, highlighting the differentiated behaviors between Portuguese and Spanish companies.

The current organizational environment, characterized by uncertainty, requires the need for comprehending a complex set of variables and relations. Understanding, decision-making, and judging of information are daily processes that managers perform; these processes are often influenced by individual characteristics in terms of information processing. Among the several determining attributes of managers’ performance presented in the literature is the need for cognition. Despite its importance, studies with samples of Portuguese managers are still scarce, so that through a sample of 442 managers who are members of the executive body of Portuguese microenterprises, this study examined (a) the factor structure of the Need for Cognition Scale–18 items (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982), (b) the scale’s reliability, and (c) the invariance of its factor structure across gender and across professional activity (through a sample of nonmanagers, n = 344). Our analyses support a structure with three factors (Commitment of Cognitive Effort, Preference for Complexity, and Desire for Understanding), with good reliability and validity. The Scale showed variance between genders and between samples, which makes it less generalizable and more susceptible to population type. We also found significant differences in the levels of need for cognition between genders, in the factors Commitment of Cognitive Effort and Preference for Complexity. The sample of managers had significantly higher levels of need for cognition compared with the sample of nonmanagers. Collectively, these findings provide compelling evidence in support of the Need for Cognition Scale for managers and other professionals. However, more research is warranted to investigate the scale measurement invariance.

ResumoConsiderando a escassa investigação em que o objeto de análise são os futuros decisores (estudantes), avalia-se em que medida a intensidade moral, e as suas dimensões, está associada à tomada de decisão ética. Foram igualmente consideradas as variáveis ideologia ética, religiosidade e sociodemográficas (idade e género), como fatores potencialmente associados. Desenvolveu-se um estudo quantitativo, com recurso a questionário. Os resultados confirmam parcialmente as expetativas dos autores e do quadro teórico subjacente, dado que identificam algumas associações entre a intensidade moral, a religiosidade e os atributos sociodemográficos e a tomada de decisão ética. São apresentadas reflexões sobre as implicações na estrutura curricular dos cursos de gestão e recomendam-se estudos adicionais, para melhor compreender os fatores subjacentes à tomada de decisão ética.Palavras-chave: tomada de decisão ética; ideologia ética; intensidade moral; religiosidade. AbstractConsidering the scarcity of research about students as future decision-makers, this study aims to assess to what extent moral intensity, and its dimensions, is associated with ethical decision-making. The variables ethical ideology, religiosity and sociodemographic variables (age and gender) were also considered as potentially associated factors. A quantitative research method was used and data was collected using a questionnaire applied to 87 management students. The findings partially confirm the authors' expectations and the underlying theoretical framework, suggesting some associations between moral intensity, religiosity and sociodemographic attributes, and ethical decision-making. Reflections on the implications of the curricular structure of management courses are presented and additional studies are recommended to better understand the factors underlying ethical decision-making.

Purpose -To analyze the extent to which recognition of impairments in goodwill is associated with periods of negative results before these losses (big bath practices). To determine whether indebtedness and the capital market restrict the recognition of such losses in big bath practices.Design/methodology/approach -Quantitative empirical study based on accounting and market data of companies listed on the Lisbon and Madrid stock exchanges (2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015), supported by multivariate regression models estimated using the generalized moments method (system GMM).Findings -Impairment in goodwill is relevant in big bath practices, and there is great discretion in the use of this accrual. It can be concluded that companies adjust to capital market cycles. The positive relationship between the level of indebtedness and the impairment in goodwill suggests that any penalties from creditors do not condition the recognition of the impairments.Originality/value -There is evidence of big bath practices being associated with companies with negative results and of the role of debt and capital markets as explanatory factors of big bath strategies that use impairments in goodwill.

A informação contabilística tem como função fornecer dados necessários à tomada de decisão dos gestores. As perspetivas de género defendem existir diferenças nos valores e atitudes de risco. Neste estudo definiram-se dois objetivos: avaliar as diferenças de género no recurso à informação contabilística e observar a utilidade atribuída à informação contabilística e a sua importância para a tomada de decisão dos gestores em função do género. Com base em 609 gestores de microempresas selecionados por conveniência, delineou-se um design bifatorial de 2 (género: homens versus mulheres) X 2 (utilizador: sim versus não) com recurso a um inquérito online. Os resultados não apresentam diferenças significativas de género entre os gestores que utilizam a contabilidade como fonte de informação. No entanto, de entre os gestores não utilizadores da informação contabilística, as mulheres reconhecem de forma diferente a utilidade dessa informação.