Share pledge and accounting conservatism in share-pledging firms: Evidence from a natural experiment in China.

This paper focuses on firms in which insiders pledge their shares as collateral for loans. By investigating a natural experiment-China's enactment of provisions on share reductions that restrict pledge creditors' cashing-out behavior-we find that pledging firms exhibited more conservative financial reporting after the implementation than non-pledging firms. This effect was pronounced in firms with a higher ratio of pledged shares, a longer maturation period of the pledged shares, and more concentrated pledge creditors. Additionally, we show that pledging firms increased their accounting conservatism after the shock, leading to a lower risk of margin calls and stock price crashes. The effect on accounting conservatism was stronger in firms with controlling pledgers or when the pledge creditors were banks. Our results remained consistent after we performed several robustness tests. These behaviors are economically logical because the provisions heighten creditors' liquidity risk and the potential losses of loan default. Pledging shareholders embrace more accounting conservatism to mitigate creditors' concerns about agency costs and avoid triggering margin calls. Our findings provide direct support that creditors have a real demand for accounting conservatism and highlight the impact of shareholder-creditor conflicts on the financial reporting policies of pledging firms.

Based on knowledge capital value for disease cost accounting of diagnosis related groups.

Background: The National Health Commission and the other relevant departments in China have initiated testing of the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) system in 30 pilot locations since 2019. In the process of DRG payment reform, accounting for the costs of diseases has become a highly challenging issue. The traditional method of disease accounting method overlooks the compensation for the knowledge capital value of medical personnel. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to analyze the cost accounting scheme of China's Diagnosis Related Groups (C-DRG), focusing on the value of knowledge capital. Methods: The study initially proposes a measurement index system for the value of knowledge-based capital, including the difficulty of disease treatment, labor intensity of disease treatment, risk of disease treatment, and operation/treatment time for diseases. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is then utilized to weigh the features of medical workers' knowledge capital value. First, pairwise comparisons are conducted in this stage to develop a two-pair judgment matrix of the primary indicators. Second, the eigenvectors corresponding to the maximum eigenvalues of the matrix are calculated to generate the weight coefficient of each feature. The consistency test is carried out after this stage. An empirical analysis is conducted by collecting data, including the full costs of treating three types of diseases-hip replacement, acute simple appendicitis, and heart bypass surgery-from one public medical institution. Results: The empirical analysis examines whether this DRG costing accounting can address the issue of neglecting the value of medical workers' knowledge capital. The methods reconfigure the positive incentive mechanism, stimulate the endogenous motivation of the medical service system, foster independent changes in medical behavior, and achieve the goals of reasonable cost control. Conclusion: In the cost accounting system of C-DRG, the value of medical workers' knowledge capital is acknowledged. This acknowledgment not only boosts the enthusiasm and creativity of medical workers in optimizing and standardizing the diagnosis and treatment process but also improves the transparency and authenticity of DRG pricing. This is particularly evident in the optimization and standardization of the diagnosis and treatment processes within medical institutions and in monitoring inadequate medical practices within these institutions.

Leveraging natural capital accounting to support businesses with nature-related risk assessments and disclosures.

Nature loss threatens businesses, the global economy and financial stability. Understanding and addressing these risks for business will require credible measurement approaches and data. This paper explores how natural capital accounting (NCA) can support business data and information needs related to nature, including disclosures aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures recommendations. As businesses seek to measure, manage and disclose their nature-related risks and opportunities, they will need well-organized, consistent and high-quality information regarding their dependencies and impacts on nature, which few businesses currently collect or track in-house. NCA may be useful for these purposes but has not been widely used or applied by businesses. National NCA guided by the U.N. System of Environmental-Economic Accounting may provide: (i) a useful framework for businesses in conceptualizing, organizing and managing nature-related data and statistics; and (ii) data and information that can directly support business disclosures, corporate NCA and other business applications. This paper explores these opportunities as well as synergies between national and corporate natural capital accounts. In addition, the paper discusses key barriers to advancing the wider use and benefits of NCA for business, including: awareness of NCA, data access, business capabilities related to NCA, spatial and temporal scales of data, audit and assurance considerations, potential risks, and costs and incentives. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bringing nature into decision-making'.

International accounting network memberships and audit fees: Evidence from China.

This paper investigates the international accounting network memberships' impact on audit fees. We find that, firstly, the audit fees charged by the member audit firms are significantly higher; secondly, if the revenue, ranking or audit and accounting business share of the international network the audit firm join is higher, the charge is also higher. Additional results show that economic policy uncertainty will intensify this positive relationship, and member audit firms charge higher fees by improving their overseas expertise. We also find that international network memberships will reduce abnormal audit fees, and improve the quality of financial reports.

COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Payments Were Appropriately Targeted And Did Not Boost Selected Hospitals' Profits.

To help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic's financial effects on health care providers, Congress allocated $178 billion to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) beginning in 2020. Using monthly data from January 2018 through June 2022 from a nationally representative sample of US hospitals, we used a difference-in-differences approach to examine whether hospitals receiving medium and high PRF support intensity had higher average monthly operating margins (measured separately with and without accounting for PRF payments) than those that received low PRF support intensity. We also assessed the impact of PRF payments by hospitals' prepandemic financial vulnerability status, measured by whether their average operating margins in 2018 and 2019 were above or below the national median. Our findings indicate that PRF distributions to hospitals were appropriately targeted and did not make some hospitals significantly more profitable than others; rather, PRF payments helped offset financial losses associated with the pandemic. The effects of PRF support intensity were concentrated among hospitals that were financially vulnerable before the pandemic and thus in need of support to remain financially viable during the crisis.

A clínica psicanalítica das urgências subjetivas no hospital universitário: construção de um caso clínico / Psychoanalysis of subjective urgencies at a university hospital: construing a clinical case / La clínica psicoanalítica de urgencias subjetivas en el hospital universitario: construcción de un caso clínico

O hospital constitui-se como um contexto em que a urgência subjetiva pode vir a se apresentar de forma frequente, instaurando, para cada sujeito, uma vivência de angústia. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar as possibilidades para uma clínica das urgências subjetivas no contexto de um hospital universitário em Salvador, considerando as vivências em uma residência multiprofissional. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, em que se realizou revisão teórica sobre o tema e se construiu um caso clínico, sob orientação psicanalítica. A escolha do caso baseou-se na escuta clínica ao longo dos atendimentos e da atuação em equipe multiprofissional, considerando os impasses ao longo do tratamento. Foram utilizados registros documentais produzidos pela psicóloga residente ao longo dos atendimentos, que ocorreram durante três meses. Os resultados apontam para as contribuições da escuta psicanalítica no tratamento das urgências e na atuação em equipe multiprofissional no contexto hospitalar. A subjetivação da urgência permitiu, no caso em questão, um tratamento pela palavra do que havia incidido diretamente no corpo como fenômeno. Conclui-se pela relevância em discutir o tema da urgência e suscitar novas pesquisas, reintroduzindo no contexto hospitalar a questão sobre a subjetividade.(AU)

Hospitals are contexts in which subjective urgency can frequently materialize, triggering an experience of anguish for each subject. Hence, this research investigates the possibilities of establishing a subjective urgency clinic at a university hospital in Salvador, considering the experiences in a multidisciplinary residence. A qualitative, exploratory research was conducted by means of a theoretical review on the topic and construction of a clinical case, under psychoanalytical advisement. The case was chosen based on clinical listening during the sessions and performance in a multidisciplinary team, considering the obstacles for long-term treatment. Data were collected from documentary records produced by the resident psychologist during three months. Results point to the contributions of psychoanalytic listening to treating subjective urgencies and to the performance of a multidisciplinary team in the hospital context. In the case in question, subjectivation of urgency allowed a treatment through the word of affecting phenomenon. In conclusion, discussing urgency and conducting further research, are fundamental to reintroduce subjectivity in the hospital context.(AU)

El hospital es un contexto en el que frecuentemente se puede percibir una urgencia subjetiva, estableciendo una experiencia de angustia para cada sujeto. El objetivo de esta investigación fue investigar las posibilidades de una clínica de urgencia subjetiva en el contexto de un hospital universitario en Salvador (Brasil), considerando las experiencias en una Residencia Multiprofesional. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, de carácter exploratorio, en la que se realizó una revisión teórica sobre el tema y construcción de un caso clínico, con orientación psicoanalítica. La elección del caso se basó en la escucha clínica a lo largo de las sesiones y actuación en un equipo multidisciplinar, considerando los impasses para el tratamiento a largo plazo. Se utilizaron registros documentales elaborados por el psicólogo residente, durante las atenciones, que se realizaron durante tres meses. Los resultados apuntan a las contribuciones de la escucha psicoanalítica en el tratamiento de urgencias y en la actuación de un equipo multidisciplinario en el contexto hospitalario. La subjetivación de la urgencia permitió, en el caso en cuestión, un tratamiento a través de la palabra de lo que había afectado directamente al cuerpo como fenómeno. Se concluye que es relevante discutir el tema de la urgencia y plantear nuevas investigaciones, reintroduciendo el tema de la subjetividad en el contexto hospitalario.(AU)

The moderation role of board independence change in the relationship between board characteristics, related party transactions, and financial performance.

The present study examines the moderation effect of board independence change on the relationship between board characteristics, related party transactions and financial performance of Indian listed banks over 10 years from 2010 to 2019. While board size, independence, diligence, and remuneration were taken to represent board characteristics, all key personnel and subsidiaries' transactions were considered measures for related party transactions. On the other hand, the financial performance of banks was measured by two accounting-based measures (return on assets and profit after tax) and two market-based measures (earning per share and Tobin Q). The results revealed that board independence change has a significant negative effect on financial performance. Further, the results indicated that board independence change moderates positively and significantly the relationship between related party transactions and financial performance. The findings also showed that board independence change had a moderating effect that significantly and negatively weakens board size and effectiveness, negatively influencing banks' profitability. Unlike other studies, this study uniquely uses board independence change as a moderator between board characteristics, related party transactions, and several measures of banks' financial performance. The limited research highlighting this issue, where Indian banks have encountered several challenges in the last few years, has motivated the present study to bridge the existing gaps in the strand literature. Therefore, this research opens useful insights and has beneficial implications for policymakers, bankers, financial analysts, and academicians.

Assessing Digital Transformation of Cost Accounting Tools in Healthcare.

The expansion of digital technologies has significantly changed most economic activities and professions. Digital technologies penetrated managerial accounting and have a vast potential to transform this profession. Implementing emerging digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, can trigger a crucial leap forward, leading to a paradigm-shifting in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper's main objective is to investigate the perception of Romanian accountants on implementing digital technologies in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper implies a study based on a questionnaire among Romanian accountants who use various digital technologies implemented in traditional and innovative cost accounting tools. Based on structural equation modeling, the results emphasize the prevalence of innovative tools over traditional cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation, digital technologies assuming the most complex and time-consuming tasks. Moreover, the influence of cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation on healthcare organizations' performance is much more robust in the case of innovative tools than in the case of traditional cost accounting tools. The proposed model provides managers in healthcare organizations with information on the most effective methods in the context of digital transformation.

[Accounting basics for the self-employed physician]. / Notions de base de comptabilité à l'intention du médecin indépendant.

The work of a self-employed physician being a liberal activity, his practice does not only require the mastery of the medical art but also of the financial management of his practice. This article aims at reminding some basic accounting notions necessary for the adequate financial management of a medical practice.

Le travail du médecin indépendant étant une activité libérale, sa pratique n'impose pas seulement la maîtrise de l'art médical, mais également celle de la gestion financière de son cabinet. Cet article a pour but de rappeler quelques notions de base de comptabilité nécessaires à la gestion financière adéquate d'un cabinet médical.

A study on the Evaluation Model of Teaching Quality of Accounting Majors under the perspective of Sports Psychology / Un estudio sobre el Modelo de Evaluación de la Calidad Docente de las Carreras de Contabilidad bajo la perspectiva de la Psicología del Deporte

To improve sports psychology and service delivery among sportspeople, the basics of applied sports psychology and the teaching quality of accounting majors could be the best possible solution. In sports training centres, students interested in pursuing a career in applied sports psychology will benefit from a global perspective of training and education in the sports industry. Quality teaching can introduce the efficient and effective theory and research application into sports psychology's historical, developmental, social, and cultural roots. The teaching and coaching quality sets standards for psychologists who want to practice sports psychology to guide their training. Finally, the teaching quality in accounting majors and sports knowledge protects the sportsmen by ensuring that services are given to eligible people.(AU)

Billing And Insurance-Related Administrative Costs: A Cross-National Analysis.

Billing and insurance-related costs are a significant source of wasteful health care spending in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations, but these administrative burdens vary across national systems. We executed a microlevel accounting of these costs in different national settings at six provider locations in five nations (Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Singapore) that supplements our prior study measuring the costs in the US. We found that billing and insurance-related costs for inpatient bills range from a low of $6 in Canada to a high of $215 in the US for an inpatient surgical bill (purchasing power parity adjusted). We created a taxonomy of billing and insurance-related activities (eligibility, coding, submission, and rework) that was applied to data from the six sites and allows cross-national comparisons. Higher costs in the US and Australia are attributed to high coding costs. Much of the savings achieved in some nations is attributable to assigning tasks to people in lower-skill job categories, although most of the savings are due to more efficient billing and insurance-related processes. Some nations also reduce these costs by offering financial counseling to patients before treatment. Our microlevel approach can identify specific cost drivers and reveal national billing features that reduce coding costs. It illustrates a valuable pathway for future research in understanding and mitigating administrative costs in health care.