Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nicola Castellano Author-Name: Carsten Felden Title: Management Control Systems for Sustainability and Sustainability of Management Control Systems Abstract: Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:5-10 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69069&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002001 Number: 1 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69069 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chiara Oppi Author-Name: Cristina Campanale Author-Name: Lino Cinquini Title: Il problema dell?ambiguit? nei sistemi di misurazione della performance nel settore pubblico: un?analisi della letteratura internazionale Abstract: This paper aims at examining how the issue of ambiguity in performance measurement systems in the public sector has been addressed in international literature. Particularly, the research highlights the variables of ambiguity that the literature reports at an organizational and an individual level, with reference to two perspectives: an objective perspective related to certain characteristics of the performance measurement systems, and a subjective perspective referring to the perceptions of the actors who are the recipients of these objectives. The authors conducted a systematic literature review in Scopus and ScienceDirect. Of the 1,148 abstracts analyzed, the authors selected 126 articles for full reading and accepted 27 for final discussion. The research presents the antecedents and the consequences for each ambiguity variable, reporting the factors that enable and inhibit ambiguity in the design and application of performance measurement systems in the public sector. This paper not only analyzes and interprets ambiguity in the public sector, but also summarizes the main indications for future research, contributing to the research in an area that is poorly investigated and that has significant relevance for the effectiveness of performance measurement systems in the public sector. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:11-38 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69070&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002002 Number: 2 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69070 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nicoletta Fadda Author-Name: Gianfranco Pischedda Author-Name: Ludovico Marin? Author-Name: katia Corsi Title: Sustainable-oriented management come fattore di resilienza organizzativa. Un caso di studio Abstract: The growing interest in sustainability affect firms and their business models. Sus-tainable business models define the way in which a firm creates shared value by promoting economic, social and environmental interests. The objective of this paper is to understand if sustainable business models - com-bined with a proper accounting system - are able to initiate effective reactions to shock moments. The authors carried out this study by analyzing Generale Conserve, particularly its brand ASdoMAR, a firm specializing in canned foods. This case study is interest-ing because Generale Conserve places particular attention on both environmental sustainability and social development. The authors derived data from semi-structured interviews in combination with documental analyses. Results highlight that being sustainable can foster the ability to react to shock moments by promot-ing organizational resilience. Results also aim to suggest an abstract framework whereby one can explore the relationship between the type of sustainable strategy, the accounting system adopted and organizational resilience. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:39-60 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69071&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002003 Number: 3 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69071 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Matteo Molinari Author-Name: Maria Pia Maraghini Author-Name: Angelo Riccaboni Title: Reporting di Sostenibilit? e Controllo Manageriale: L?esperienza di Edison S.p.A. Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of management control systems. Particularly, this research aims at examining how management control systems support (1) the implementation of sustainability strategies within the organization and (2) the non-financial reporting process. This qualitative research focuses on the case study of Edison S.p.A. Data include sustainability reports, sustainability plans, and non-financial reports that the or-ganization published during the last three years. Moreover, the authors interview the organization?s sustainability managers, management accountants, and con-trollers to grasp certain peculiarities related to the use of management control sys-tems, and to deepen this control systems? role in the sustainability disclosure pro-cess. Relying on Merchant and Riccaboni?s (2001) theoretical framework, this study finds that management control systems play a key role, summarized as follows: support in the decision-making process, definition of objectives and related sus-tainability targets, monitoring activities, guidance in identifying corrective actions, and measures for an effective improvement of non-financial performance. From a practical perspective, the findings of this study provide interesting insights related to the definition and implementation of organizational solutions for eco-nomic and financial equilibrium; moreover, the findings of this study also provide interesting insights in terms of sustainability performance. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:61-86 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69072&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002004 Number: 4 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69072 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Cristiana Buscarini Author-Name: Fabio Cerroni Author-Name: Livia Scarnecchia Title: Il ruolo delle matrici di "Materialit?" e di "Performance" per il controllo della sostenibilit? Abstract: Purpose: This study aims at highlighting the role of two useful tools for organiza-tions when it comes to sustainability-oriented governance: the materiality matrix proposed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the sustainability perfor-mance matrix that the authors developed. Methodology: We have verified the matrices' benefits by applying it to the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN). For the construction of the matrices, the authors col-lected data using an online questionnaire. The research team presented the ques-tionnaire to all subjects who communicated with the FIN in 2019. Results: The matrices used for our study have proved to be very useful tools to support organizations in the implementation of sustainability-led strategic process-es and control systems. Moreover, the above-mentioned matrices proved particu-larly useful for cultural control, planning and cybernetic control. In the specific case of the materiality matrix, we have observed that sustainability aspects scored very highly and that those aspects drove the FIN?s strategic direction. Moreover, the sustainability performance matrix?s results confirmed the chosen path's validity since all internal and external stakeholders had evaluated the al-ready implemented actions very positively to achieve greater sustainability. Implications: The method described in this study enables companies to be guided in choosing aspects of sustainability and in controlling corporate performance concerning sustainable development. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:87-106 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69073&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002005 Number: 5 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69073 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Silvia Cantele Author-Name: Giacomo Troisi Author-Name: Bettina Campedelli Title: Le societ? Benefit in Italia: un?analisi sulla diffusione e sulle prassi di rendicontazione Abstract: In 2016, benefit corporations were introduced in Italy as firms that exercise an economic activity with the objective of sharing profits while pursuing common-benefit purposes and operating in a responsible, sustainable and transparent man-ner. The empirical analysis carried out on the population of 305 firms depicted a niche phenomenon, where benefit corporations are mainly start-ups or very small enterprises operating in the service industry and based in the north of Italy or in the main cities. These firms hardly follow the reporting practices required by regula-tion, as the large majority produce short reports without clear plans explaining how to put the common benefit into operation. Furthermore, the reports rarely present key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the firms' sustainability performance and impacts on the environment and society. This analysis sheds light on the need for future research aimed at answering the question if benefit corporations actual-ly "walk the talk" or if this new form of business presents higher risks of value-action gaps. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:107-126 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69074&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002006 Number: 6 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69074 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Luca Ianni Author-Name: Gianluca Marullo Author-Name: Stefania Migliori Author-Name: Francesco De Luca Title: I modelli predittivi della crisi e dell?insolvenza aziendale. Una systematic review Abstract: In January 2019, the Italian government approved the corporate insolvency law reform, henceforth the Code of Crisis (CCI). This law reform has brought back to the center of the scientific debate the financial distress and insolvency prediction models. In recent decades, there has been a large number of studies about predicting models variously developed by scholars. These studies were about ratio-based and non-ratio-based models, and had to do with statistical approach, model types employed, scoring-based models, and so on. Moreover, these studies also related to an increasing evolution of these models, for example, accounting-based vs. market-based value in statistical multivariate estimation models, leading to greater predictive power. Accordingly, the authors conducted a systematic review of studies published between 1960 and 2020. Thereby, this paper aims to map the studies that are concerned with financial distress and related predicting models in order to portray the state of the scientific debate thus far and, at the same time, the different types, approaches and methods employed along with future trends. Furthermore, this study tries to provide a possible framework for further research about this field, thereby improving our understanding of prediction models and their evolution over time in relation to the digital technologies as well. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:127-146 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69075&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002007 Number: 7 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69075 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Filippo Zanin Author-Name: Giulio Corazza Title: Scenario planning, strategia e performance. Evidenze empiriche in contesti complessi Abstract: This study embraces the scientific debate about the role that scenario planning tools play in the strategic planning process; moreover, this study also embraces the debate about how the use of scenario-planning tools impacts financial performance in complex settings. More specifically, the paper aims to provide answers to the following research questions: a) Does the use of scenario planning tools in the strategic planning process affect firm performance? b) Does the environmental complexity generate a moderating effect on the relationship between the use of scenario planning tools and firm performance? The authors carried out the empirical analysis by examining data acquired through the administration of a closed-question survey to 794 small-medium manufacturing Italian firms that operate in complex environments. Data analysis, carried out using statistical regression techniques, shows that: a) The use of scenario planning techniques in strategic planning processes generates a positive impact on firm performance; and b) the positive effect on firm performance that derives from the use of the scenario planning techniques is higher for firms that operate in an environment with a high level of intensity of change. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:147-164 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69076&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002008 Number: 8 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69076 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Luciano Marchi Title: Temi e medodologie di ricerca nell?area Management Control: stato dell?arte e prospettive Abstract: This issue of the journal formally establishes a new section to host methodological discussions, as well as invited and reviewed articles, in order to interpret the current situation and critically evaluate the perspectives on research topics and methodol-ogies in the management accounting and control area. Particularly, the objective of this new section of the journal is to discuss how to strengthen the process of internationalization of research, while preserving the basic values of Italian accounting theory, also in the methodological side, i.e. maintaining the integrated inductive-deductive method of research. The author specifically contemplates the increasingly relevant role that the analyt-ical demonstrations of the research hypotheses plays, with an experimental ap-proach characteristic of the hard sciences. Particularly, the research hypotheses are often based on cause-effect relationships in a true-false logic, with reference to the available data bases or to data collected on a sample basis, often neglecting the accuracy of such data. Even the language used is increasingly the mathematical one, which is not suitable for the scientific communication in our community be-cause the mathematical language neglects the qualitative variables, the interpreta-tion of the data and the understanding of the multiple non-linear cause-effect relationships. Regarding the research topics, the relevant issues appear to be no longer the topics that are related to the understanding of business complexity, but rather those that may apply best to the use of correlation analysis; in fact, the focus is on the quan-titative methods, considered a priori better, and this increasingly determines the detachment from the business reality. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:165-170 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69077&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002009 Number: 9 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69077 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fabio Santini Title: Gli "effetti indesiderati" dell?accounting come "scienza". Riflessioni sulla metodologia di ricerca nel management accounting and control Abstract: The objective of this study is to contribute to the debate on the future development of the accounting discipline in Italy. Italian scholars are called upon to make an important choice: preserving and improving the methodologies and methods of our research tradition, or adopting international research approaches. The Italian mechanisms for public research evaluation, particularly the mechanisms operating from 2003, led to strong pressure for the second option, which is thought to best fit good science. In fact, the application of patterns "taken from hard sciences" to social issues makes the international approaches anything but good science. By adopting concepts from the philosophy of science, and by taking the branch of management accounting and control as an example, this study attempts to show that the difference in scientific relevance between the Italian research tradition and international research guidelines is only superficial. In accounting, both the Italian research tradition and international research guidelines bring several criticalities, above all a perceived lack of practical use by recipients. The final hope is to identify an original "third way" for accounting research in Italy by making the most of the current challenges. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:171-197 Volume: 2021/2 Year: 2021 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=69078&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2021-002010 Number: 10 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=69078