Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paolo Collini Author-Name: Graziano Coller Title: Accounting in a challenging world Abstract: Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:5-10 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74053&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1001 Number: 1 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74053 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Francesca Culasso Author-Name: Elisa Giacosa Author-Name: Edoardo Crocco Author-Name: Daniele Giordino Title: Modern day Management Accountants: A latent Dirichlet allocation investigation Abstract: The emergence of computerized information systems has provided management accountants with an unprecedented array of possibilities when it comes to data analysis. Nevertheless, it has progressively changed the profession as we know it. Thus, a need for research to clearly define the modern management accountant profile in terms of skills and tasks expected by their employers has been echoed by several authors. Our study draws on a set of 841 job postings featuring manage-ment accounting positions across Europe to define a set of critical competencies and tasks of modern-day accountants. Topic modeling is applied to the dataset to identify and extract the information needed to answer the research question. From a theoretical standpoint, the proposed contribution strives to fill in multiple re-search gaps in accounting literature, namely the incidence of reporting in a man-agement accountant?s daily schedule, the gap between employers? expectations and current accounting education programs, and the importance of IT literacy. From a practical perspective, the study provides management accountants with an extensive overview of the competencies and tasks they are expected to perform. Additionally, our empirical evidence informs educators, and policymakers with an insight into today?s job market to use as a potential benchmark for their educa-tional and professional programs. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:11-36 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74054&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1002 Number: 2 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74054 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shekerta Aliu Title: Do electric and gas utilities use regulatory information for decision-making and control? An exploratory study from Italy Abstract: The aim of this paper is two-fold. First, it examines whether electric and gas utilities use regulatory information for internal decision-making and control. Second, it adopts an institutional lens to explore the extent to which the regulatory infor-mation imposed by the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks, and Environment (ARERA) and used for decision-making and control influence the management control systems (MCS) of electric and gas utilities. Based on data from 33 questionnaires and eight complementary interviews with Italian electric and gas utilities, findings reveal different behaviors according to the size and operating activity of the firms. Large utilities and energy distributors use regulatory information for performance monitoring, benchmarking analysis, and investment prioritization strategies. On the contrary, small utilities and energy trad-ers produce the information solely for regulatory compliance and do not use it in their day-to-day activities. Additionally, this study reveals that coercive pressure stemming from the regulatory environment affected the MCS of energy utilities either radically or incrementally. The findings underline the role of ARERA as a driver for controlling and improving performance. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:37-64 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74055&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1003 Number: 3 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74055 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michele Galeotti Author-Name: Rosa Lombardi Author-Name: Salvatore Principale Author-Name: Alessandro Sura Title: Aligning Integrated Data Management with Corporate Reporting: The role of sustainability reporting Abstract: The EU/2014/95 Directive represents a point of discontinuity in corporate report-ing which has produced several effects on corporate practices and communica-tion. Corporate control systems also had to be updated to include financial and non-financial issues such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues within the control and reporting mechanisms. Integrated data management can represent a crucial tool for managing the changes in progress and improving per-formance. This study aims to investigate the relationship between integrated data management and corporate reporting by assessing whether the Directive has had an impact on the implementation of integrated systems. The analysis of two virtu-ous cases in the field of sustainability reporting, as well as a public interest entity, highlights the effects of the Directive on corporate control and data management. The findings suggest different effects on companies with different sustainability reporting experience. The study has theoretical and practical implications contrib-uting to the literature about integrated data systems and sustainability reporting. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:65-81 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74056&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1004 Number: 4 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74056 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paola Paoloni Author-Name: Martina Manzo Author-Name: Veronica Procacci Title: The impact of the pandemic crisis on the digital transition process of Italian SMEs Abstract: In recent years, the digital revolution has impacted the entrepreneurial system globally, forcing companies to review their business models, products, and services value proposition. Companies must implement digital technologies in production processes to exploit new opportunities. This requires investing in machinery and devices and acquiring new knowledge. The national and European economic system mainly comprises Small and Medi-um-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), characterized by low managerial skills and under-capitalization, which may hinder the required investments in information technol-ogy. In Italy, the digital transition is constrained by the structural limits of its conserva-tive entrepreneurial fabric. However, the recent pandemic crisis has accelerated this digital transition process. More and more companies have invested in R&D to increase the production process's automation level and improve their digital capa-bilities. Literature has been widely investigating the impact of the pandemic crisis on the innovation process of SMEs adopting different perspectives. The study aims to answer the following research questions (RQs). RQ1: Which main foci can be identified in literature facing the impact of COVID-19 on the SMEs? innovation process? RQ2: Which new needs arose during the pandemic fostering digitalization? To answer RQ1, a Structured Literature Review (SLR) is adopted (128 studies identified on the SCOPUS database). To answer RQ2, a qualitative methodology is used based on direct observation of two Italian firms Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:83-107 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74057&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1005 Number: 5 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74057 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Laura Berardi Author-Name: Laurie Mook Title: New digital technologies for social impact assessment: Considerations for Italian social economy organizations Abstract: Social Impact Assessment (SIA) holds significant relevance for Social Economy Organizations (SEOs) such as associations, foundations, social enterprises, social cooperatives, and consortiums for accountability and strategic planning purposes. In Italy, the Third Sector Reform passed in 2016 mandates that an SIA should be conducted by third sector entities when they fall under specific circumsances as specified in the guidelines introduced in 2019. Notably, these guidelines do not propose a specific SIA model for Third Sector Entities (TSEs) but consider ac-ceptable models that are internationally recognized in literature and practices. In this paper, we explore the opportunity to consider new digital technologies such as digital platforms, big data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, to implement SIA for SEOs. We conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on the intersection of SIA and digitalization in the context of SEOs. The bibliometric analysis aims to show main authors, countries, journals, and keywords associated with the litera-ture on digital technologies and SIA of the SEOs. Finally, various themes and trend topics were identified in this studied literature. We conclude with suggestions for further research. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:109-132 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74058&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1006 Number: 6 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74058 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chiara Mio Author-Name: Luciana Oranges Cezarino Title: Competencies for Sustainable Development Goals Accounting: Educating public management for disclosure and reporting Abstract: Identifying competencies to report SDGs in accountants can enhance corporate disclosure effectiveness and provide more robust information to society. Public managers are called to control through the lens of collective objectives and multi-ple stakeholders' interests. Based on the knowledge-attitude-skills triad and the po-litical Delphi method, we could identify the antecedent factors to disclose SDGs successfully. The purpose was critical to developing competencies, aligning leaders' mindsets, and suppressing public management barriers to reporting corporate SDGs. By identifying specific competencies, we bring the individual perspectives of accounting sustainability education. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:133-160 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74059&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1007 Number: 7 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74059 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paola Demartini Author-Name: Claudia Pagliei Title: Can we trust ESG Ratings? Some insights based on a bibliometric analysis of ESG data quality and rating reliability Abstract: The aim of this research is to investigate the quality and reliability of ESG data provided by companies, as well as the accuracy and objectivity of ESG ratings produced by sustainability rating agencies (SRAs). Since SRAs use companies? non-financial information as input data when formulating their ESG ratings, these two topics appear to be strictly interconnected. Drawing on the Shanon and Weaver (1949) model of communication, we have addressed these issues by means of a systematic literature review combined with a bibliometric analysis. In our investigation we run: i) the co-citation analysis to de-tect the seminal papers; ii) a keyword co-occurrence analysis to explore how the main features of the academic debate have unfolded in the last five years; iii) a keyword co-occurrence analysis to obtain a network visualisation map to explore how the research broad scope was articulated in different clusters (i.e., themes of research). Among the clusters that emerged from the mapping, we have decided to delve into the streams of research we consider most relevant and deal with: the re-lationships between ESG and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Namely, we deem that AI may allow us to process massive amounts of data that contain crucial information for ESG investing. However, even if computer algorithms are able to analyse all information available efficiently, and in a timely manner, managers and investors should be aware of their opportunities and criticisms, while scholars should list propositions for advancing the research on these topics. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:161-187 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74060&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1008 Number: 8 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74060 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Andrea Cardoni Author-Name: Martin Hiebl Author-Name: Alessio Paradisi Title: Management accounting implementation in SMEs: A Structured Literature Review Abstract: This paper aims to provide a state of the art of the current scientific literature on management accounting implementation phase in SMEs, whose economic impact in terms of GDP production and employment is recognized at worldwide level. Per-forming a structured literature review on the top journals? publications related to four different scientific fields covering the period 2005-2021, we found 88 papers focusing on the topic. Findings reveal that the theoretical contribution on man-agement accounting implementation in SMEs has registered a decreasing trend of publications and presents a very fragmented picture of approaches and scientific perspectives. In such conditions, over the last fifteen years the structural gap be-tween theory and practice in the implementation of management accounting in SMEs appears to be widened rather than narrowed, leaving the smaller companies without effective academic support and propositions to face the new evolutionary challenges for the management control. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:189-214 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74061&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1009 Number: 9 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74061 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paolo Candio Title: On the role of cost-effectiveness in accounting Abstract: Cost-effectiveness refers to the achievement of optimal allocation of limited re-sources and its ultimate purpose is to support rational decision-making. Cost-effectiveness principles govern financial reporting and managerial accounting frameworks, yet in practice these might not have been formally characterised and identified within the accounting literature due to semantic issues and norms. This article explores the nexus between cost-effectiveness and accounting by conduct-ing a scoping review of the published literature. Findings from this study suggest that use of the cost-effectiveness criterion has increased over time and been more frequently employed by authors affiliated to U.S. academic institutions. Cost-effectiveness principles have been invoked both in published financial and mana-gerial accounting research. However, only a handful of mostly empirical studies have quantified cost-effectiveness evidence and formally applied and discussed its analytical methods. This article highlights a research gap pertaining to the de-velopment of interdisciplinary frameworks and analytical methods able to formal-ly integrate the concept of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses into ac-counting research. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:215-225 Volume: 2023/2 Suppl. Year: 2023 Issue:2 Suppl. File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=74062&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:MACOMA:v:html10.3280/MACO2023-002-S1010 Number: 10 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=74062