The theoretical framework of this paper integrates quality-signalling theory and the resource based view of the firm to test the differential effects of the quantity and quality of environmental disclosures on the firm's environmental reputation.Uniquely, the study uses a quality-adjusted method of content analysis, so that sentences are not merely counted but also weighted to reflect their likely significance.Investments in research and development and diversification, as potential methods of enhancing of environmental reputation, are also considered. In doing so the paper complements and extends the work of Toms (2002). The results confirm the framework and models tested in the original paper on more recent data and also suggest that quality of environmental disclosure rather than mere quantity has a stronger effect on the creation of environmental reputation amongst executive and investor stakeholder groups. Research and development expenditure, and under certain circumstances, diversification, also add to reputation.2

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Wales. We especially thank Lynne Oats and two anonymous reviewers as well as conference and workshop participants for their constructive comments. We also gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from the ACCA. We are particularly grateful to the interview participants. 2The Market for Corporate Tax Knowledge Abstract A growing international literature advocates the importance of trust and co-operation in tax administration compared to the more traditional 'adversarial' approach. Yet, the global financial crisis has led to renewed interest in corporate tax planning and 'unacceptable' tax avoidance with a focus on the role of intermediaries such as accounting firms. This paper explores how developments in tax legislation are captured by companies and incorporated into their tax knowledge. We draw on prior literature in knowledge management, the role of accounting firms and tax administration and use a qualitative approach to investigate and describe the relationships between accounting firms, corporate taxpayers and revenue authorities, specifically the UK HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Our results show that these relationships can be described in the context of a tax knowledge market comprised of a knowledge seller, knowledge brokers, and knowledge buyers. Our findings have relevance not only for all three parties, in particular for the challenges facing knowledge brokers -but also to tax agencies and international organisations, who must strike the optimal balance between co-operative tax administration and traditional approaches buttressed by tax audit enforcement.

As firms grow, taxation and, in particular, value added tax (VAT), is one of the first areas in which they must deal with government regulations. It has been argued in the United Kingdom that regulatory requirements are burdensome and can even be a constraint on the development and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The authors focus on SMEs and link the literature on VAT regulations and compliance costs to wider issues relating to SMEs. The costs of complying with VAT regulations are separated into core costs and total costs. Core costs are the mandatory costs that SMEs have to incur in order to comply with the VAT legislation and regulations. Total costs include VAT planning and one-off costs. For SMEs core costs represent a larger proportion of total compliance costs than is the case for larger businesses. A reduction in core costs would have a significant impact on the total VAT-compliance costs for SMEs. Factors expected to be associated with higher compliance costs are identified and tested in a multivariate framework. Empirical data were obtained from a survey of 4796 firms resulting in a final sample of 1085 firms and a response rate of 25.1%. Higher compliance costs (in absolute terms) are associated, inter alia, with increased turnover, newly registered firms, and increased complexity. Firms with higher compliance costs also perceived high psychological costs of VAT compliance. Compliance costs were also higher for individuals who did not have English as their first language, and individuals with special needs. The important implications of the findings for policy are highlighted.