Majority Of Enterprises Research Articles

Human Resource Accounting — Whim or Wisdom?

Since accounting for an enterprise's human resources was first discussed more than thirty years ago, it has encountered two main barriers to entry into mainstream accounting. These were: 1. that employees do not qualify as assets and 2. an inability to establish a meaningful system of measurement. In the context of current accounting concepts the first of these barriers is discussed establishing the legitimacy of the paradigm. Acceptable methods of measuring the value of assets are examined concluding that the present value, using added value as a base, is most useful for the majority of enterprises. Accepting that human resources are an asset, consideration should also be given to recognising the associated liabilities. The impact of accounting for human resources is examined by reference to a set of published financial statements. With an ever changing accounting environment, the opportunity to recognise human resource assets and liabilities in the financial statements should be taken.

Technology networking in border regions: Case study of the Euregion Maas‐Rhine

Abstract This paper describes the results of a study investigating cross‐border networking by enterprises in the border region where the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet, the so‐called Euregion Maas‐Rhine. The study was undertaken in view of the completion of the Single European Market in 1993, which was expected to induce enterprises to make more effective use of available opportunities to improve their innovative and hence competitive potential. Special attention was given to knowledge transfer and sourcing of technology across borders. It was found that the majority of enterprises are still oriented towards a purely national environment. Technology‐intensive enterprises that are engaged in cross‐border networking, however, seem to be doing better than the ones that maintain a national orientation.

Financial constraints and the trade-off between salaries and savings in labor-managed firms

This paper examines the sensitivity of salaries and retained earnings to enterprise income and long-term financial obligations in Yugoslav firms operating in five industries in the republic of Slovenia during the period 1979–1981. The majority of enterprises appear to retain sufficient earnings, as a result of upper limits on salaries, to cover long-term debt repayments. Yet there is evidence that debt obligations impose downward pressure on the salaries of some enterprises in three of the industries. There also exist enterprises in two of the industries with “soft budget constraints.”