Agency Relationship Research Articles

A decade of shaking in the Garden City: the dynamics of preparedness, perceptions, and beliefs in Canterbury, New Zealand, and implications for earthquake information

IntroductionThis study explored earthquake preparedness over time—before, during, and 10 years after the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES) in New Zealand (NZ; known as Aotearoa in te ao Māori).MethodSurveys of Canterbury residents were conducted in 2009, 2013, and 2021, using variables derived from Community Engagement Theory (CET). The surveys measured earthquake perceptions and beliefs, participation and engagement, and preparedness actions. Results were compared across the three samples.ResultsFindings indicate that perceptions and beliefs (e.g., risk perception, outcome expectancy beliefs), and types of preparedness actions taken (e.g., collection of survival items, structural preparedness, community and/or agency relationships), differed over time, depending on people's experiences before, during, and after the CES. For example, during and after the CES, people were more likely to believe that preparing provided a benefit to daily life, but less likely to think it could reduce property damage, perhaps due to people's experiences of disruption and damage during the earthquakes.DiscussionAn understanding of such dynamics can assist with the provision and timing of risk and preparedness information. This study highlights the importance of providing applicable and actionable preparedness information, that is relevant to people's experiences, throughout an earthquake sequence. Such information might evolve and change in focus over time depending on risks and needs. Focus could also be given to information that builds peoples beliefs and capacities to undertake preparedness in evolving situations. Understanding preparedness in the context of different experiences and timeframes is useful in helping update models such as the CET, where the dynamics of time might be better incorporated.

Termination of the Mandate of an Agent: An Examination under OHADA Uniform Act on General Commercial Law

When an agency relationship is created, it confers on the parties obligations which must be fulfilled by the parties. These obligations do not remain forever as they can come to an end. This can be done under normal circumstances by the act of the parties or by operation of the law and when the conduct of the agent is in contradiction to the mandate agreement as may be the case if the agent is liable for serious misconduct as provided by the OHADA Uniform Act on General Commercial Law. The provisions of the act regarding termination on grounds of serious misconduct is worrisome, as the act talks about termination in such manner only for commercial agents and is silent about the other two types of agents: the broker and the commission agent. The act also, does not tell us what this serious misconduct it mentions by the commercial agent is, nor gives us insights on what constitutes such conduct to warrant termination of the mandate of the agent by the principal. When termination of the agency is done under conditions as such, it has grave consequences on the agent who might not be entitled to certain benefits associated with termination of the contract such as loss of the right to compensatory allowance or indemnity and more importantly may give room to arbitrary or wrongful termination of the mandate of the agent. Through analytical and comparative studies, this paper focuses on termination of the mandate of an agent under the OHADA Uniform Act on General Commercial Law, wherein, the different modes of termination of the mandate of an agent have been discussed, and more specifically makes an attempt in looking at what serious misconduct is and what could amount to such conduct so as to avoid arbitrary or wrongful termination. It is therefore suggested that, statutory guidelines found in other statutes in relation to the subject matter can serve as a lamp light in our context.

Digitalization and Performance Management Systems: A Shipping Agency Case Study

This study examines how the digitalization of information processes embraced by shipping intermediaries (i.e. shipping agencies) within supply chain management (SCM) changes performance management systems (PMSs). This exploratory study uses the lens of stakeholder theory and adopts a case study methodology to investigate a shipping agency based in Italy. It uses primary data collected from semi-structured interviews and secondary data. The data were collected from No-vember 2022 to March 2023. The results indicate that the digitalization of infor-mation accounting processes has boosted the adoption of key performance indi-cators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of opera-tional processes. The results also reveal that, in the agency relationship between agent and shipowner, the agent does not use the benefits of PMSs to identify stra-tegic KPIs for the business. This study highlights that when adopting PMSs in ship-ping agencies, it is necessary to include both an information accounting and an organizational dimension. Managers should be involved in training programs sup-porting a culture of sharing information through digitalized systems. The main lim-itation of this study, due to its exploratory nature, is the lack of analysis including the shipowner's perspective and the impossibility of generalizing based on the re-sults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate digitaliza-tion, PMSs, and SCM in terms of the organizational-accounting frameworks of shipping agencies.

The dangerous precedent of censoring scientific dissemination

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) is the largest national transplant meeting in the United States jointly sponsored by the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. The 2024 ATC was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during which a number of peer-reviewed scientific abstracts were censored from the program by the Health Resources and Services Administration. These abstract presentations were redacted from the program for perceived conflict with current government policy effectively restricting dissemination of highly rated findings and discussion in a scientific forum. In this viewpoint, we describe the content of the abstracts that were withdrawn from the annual ATC meeting and the implications of this censorship by the Health Resources and Services Administration. We further consider the ramifications of this action for the prospective evaluation of government policy and the relationship of the contract agency with the transplant community in the context of ongoing discussions of modernizing the transplant system which has previously been critiqued for lack of transparency.

OPTIMIZING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN SMALL AND FAMILY-OWNED ENTERPRISES: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON SIGNALING AND AGENCY THEORIES

This research explores the role of ownership structure, agency relationship dynamics, and the implementation of financial signals in the context of small and family firm financial management. Employing the Systematic Literature Review method, a literature review was conducted to gather, filter, and analyze relevant literature on the topic. The research findings indicate that a deep understanding of ownership structure enables firms to design more efficient risk management policies and decision-making. Additionally, an understanding of agency relationship dynamics allows firms to manage conflicts of interest more effectively through the development of appropriate oversight mechanisms and incentives. The proper use of financial signals was also found to enhance transparency and external stakeholders' trust in the firm, thereby opening doors to better access to external capital. The conclusion drawn from this research is that effective financial management practices are crucial for the long-term success of small and family firms. The implications of these findings emphasize the need for firms to continuously update their knowledge and skills in financial management and actively apply proven principles in their own context. Thus, they can remain competitive in an ever-changing business environment and meet their long-term objectives.

Reconsidering the relationship between undisclosed agency and assignment

Abstract In Siu Yin Kwan v Eastern Insurance, Lord Lloyd addressed the question of whether assignment can appropriately be analogised with undisclosed agency. His Lordship considered it could not. Although scholars have impliedly (and correctly) identified that this is true as regards statutory assignment, there are compelling parallels between undisclosed agency and equitable assignment that merit further attention. This article inquires into the accuracy of Lord Lloyd’s dictum in relation to equitable assignment, seeking to identify a possible model to conceptualise the flow of rights arising between an undisclosed principal and a third party in undisclosed agency relationships.

Exploring Factors Affecting the Rural Poor's Access to Resources and Public Services, Thailand

Public service involves the state's or administrative department's operations in matters aimed at meeting the collective needs of all citizens. The objectives of the research were to: 1) study access to resources and public services of the rural poor, 2) examine the factors that affected access to resources and public services, and 3) propose a policy to solve the problems related to access to resources and public services. This study employed a mixed research method. The study population included 7,520 recipients of the state welfare cards. The samples consisted of 379 state welfare cardholders. The key informants made up the 12 subjects, while the 15 participated in a group focus. The following statistics were used: percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative data were evaluated using content classification and description. The research found that 1) the overall access to resources and public services of the rural poor was high level, 2) political, economic, social, technological, and cultural factors affected access to resources and public services of the rural poor at a high level. The five variables could predict access to resources and public services of the rural poor by 85.40 (R2.40 = 0.854). An error in the prediction was statistically significant at .05 level, and 3) the recommendations were as follows: the state sectors should focus on services and reduce formality as much as possible. Increase opportunities for the poor and their communities, strengthen public-state agency relationships, make technological equipment accessible, and focus on cultural capital-based community strengthening.

Swiping to end hunger: the problematic politics of humanitarian donation apps

Abstract The emergence of humanitarian donation apps promises to revolutionize aid by making it easier for people to give to humanitarian causes with just a few swipes on the smartphone in the palm of their hands. Yet, little is known about the implications of this for the politics and ethics of contemporary aid. This article explores the politics of humanitarian donation apps through an in-depth study of the World Food Programme's donation app ShareTheMeal. By analysing data from a detailed app walkthrough and documentation in a user journal of the experiences of a sample of app users, the article shows how ShareTheMeal is designed to afford specific forms of everyday humanitarianism, and how users adopt, appropriate or resist these affordances. Doing so we find that, while ShareTheMeal affords a convenient and gratifying donation experience, it also reinvigorates racial and paternalistic divisions between donors as benevolent saviours and recipients as voiceless victims, and integrates users into an extractivist data economy. Hence, rather than revolutionizing aid, ShareTheMeal instead sediments unequal relationships of agency and dependency in and through everyday acts of helping. Yet, because of apps' openness to user resistance and change, another politics of humanitarianism is nevertheless possible.

What Is the Medical and Legal Risk of Physicians Supervising Advanced Practice Providers?

Physicians would be prudent to carefully evaluate their legal duties when supervising advanced practice providers. There are real legal risks inherent in the supervisory role physicians assume in today’s medical practice models. This article highlights the legal risks and the due diligence necessary when considering how to manage the agency relationship between physicians and advanced practice providers. The understanding of respondeat superior doctrine and vicarious liability will facilitate physician understanding of how to manage these relationships and mitigate legal risk.

The political economy of earnings management in municipally owned enterprises

PurposeDespite the growing body of empirical literature on earnings management in municipal bodies and enterprises on the municipal level, the theoretical foundations often remain limited. This article contributes to filling this research gap by discussing the agency relationships between entities, managers, politicians and the electorate based on the framework of political economy or, more specifically, economic theory of political action. It derives theoretical explanations for earnings management in municipally owned enterprises based on political-economic approaches and provides conceptual guidelines for further theoretical and empirical research in this field.Design/methodology/approachThe article discusses three specific theoretical approaches of political economy (political budget cycles/election cycles, interest fragmentation and partisan ideology) and applies them to the governance structures of municipally owned enterprises. For each of the perspectives, predictions about the use of earnings management and its possible motivations are derived.FindingsThe study shows that political budget cycles/election cycles, interest fragmentation and partisan ideology in municipal decision-making bodies can serve as possible explanations as to which extent managers of municipally owned enterprises present manipulated financial statements. All three approaches can help to explain the prevalence of earnings management but lead to different results regarding the methods and aims of earnings management.Originality/valueAs a significant portion of the current literature on earnings management in municipally owned enterprises lacks a theoretical foundation, our article aims to fill this caveat. To do so, we introduce three new conceptual perspectives that explain the prevalence of earnings management in such enterprises and the political-economic environments that are more likely to produce manipulated financial statements.

Realising the promise of value-based purchasing: experimental evidence of medical device selection

Purpose Despite the unparalleled importance of value within healthcare, value-based models remain underutilised in the procurement of medical devices. Research is needed to understand what factors incentivise standard, low-priced device purchasing as opposed to value-adding devices with potentially higher overall health outcomes. Framed in agency theory, we examine the conditions under which different actors involved in purchasing decisions select premium-priced, value-adding medical devices over low-priced, standard medical devices.Design/methodology/approach We conducted 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects scenario-based vignette experiments on three UK-based online samples of managers (n = 599), medical professionals (n = 279) and purchasing managers (n = 449) with subjects randomly assigned to three treatments: (1) cost-saving incentives, (2) risk-sharing contracts and (3) stronger (versus weaker) clinical evidence.Findings Our analysis demonstrates the harmful effects of intra-organisational cost-saving incentives on value-based purchasing (VBP) adoption; the positive impact of inter-organisational risk-sharing contracts, especially when medical professionals are involved in decision-making; and the challenge of leveraging clinical evidence to support value claims.Research limitations/implications Our results demonstrate the need to align incentives in a context with multiple intra- and inter-organisational agency relationships at play, as well as the difficulty of reducing information asymmetry when information is not easily interpretable to all decision-makers. Overall, the intra-organisational agency factors strongly influenced the choices for the inter-organisational agency relationship.Originality/value We contribute to VBP in healthcare by examining the role of intra- and inter-organisational agency relationships and incentives concerning VBP (non-) adoption. We also examine how the impact of such mechanisms differs between medical and purchasing (management) professionals.

Promoter share pledging and dividend payouts in India: does family involvement matters?

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between promoter share pledging and the company’s dividend payout policy in India. Furthermore, this study also analyses the moderating impact of family involvement in business on the association between share pledging and dividend payout.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 236 companies from the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive (BSE) 500 Index (2014–2023) has been analysed through fixed-effects panel data regression. For additional testing, robustness checks include alternative measures of dividend payout and promoter share pledging, as well as alternative methodologies such as Bayesian regression. Lastly, to address potential endogeneity, instrumental variables with a two-stage least squares (IV-2SLS) methodology have been implemented.FindingsUpholding the agency perspective, a significantly negative impact of promoter share pledging on corporate dividend payouts in India has been uncovered. Moreover, family involvement in business moderates this relationship, highlighting that the negative association between promoter share pledging and dividend payouts is more pronounced in family companies. The findings are consistent throughout the robustness testing.Originality/valueThe present study represents a pioneering endeavour to empirically analyse the link between promoter share pledging and dividend payouts in India. It enhances the theoretical underpinnings of the agency relationship, particularly by substantiating the existence of Type II agency conflicts between majority and minority shareholders. The findings of this research bear significant implications for investors, researchers and policymakers, particularly in light of the widespread prevalence of promoter-controlled entities in India.

THE IMPACT OF PROFITABILITY AND LEVERAGE ON TAX AGGRESSIVENESS WITH INCOME SMOOTHING AS THE MEDIATOR

Information asymmetry and differences in interests between agents and principals are unavoidable problems in agency relationships. Agents with better information than other parties try to maximize their benefits by managing or manipulating reported accounting numbers. Profitability and leverage are common considerations for companies in carrying out income smoothing so that profits are stable and the company looks in good condition in the eyes of stakeholders. In addition, it is also related to the size of the corporate tax burden, so both can be factors that influence the level of corporate tax aggressiveness. This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect effects of profitability and leverage on tax aggressiveness and test the mediation of income smoothing on the effect of profitability and leverage on tax aggressiveness. The research sample was determined using a purposive sampling technique of 26 consumer non-cyclical sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2018-2020. Data were analyzed using the WarpPLS 7.0 analysis tool. The results of this study show that profitability and leverage affect tax aggressiveness. However, income smoothing does not affect tax aggressiveness. Income smoothing could not mediate the effect of profitability and leverage on tax aggressiveness. There is no indirect effect between profitability and leverage on tax aggressiveness.

The formalism of governance on the performance of family SMEs in chad

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of family SME governance on their performance. Thus, the concern of this work is to present the most relevant agency relationships for analyzing the governance of family SMEs and the family factors that can be analyzed from the theoretical framework of agency and stewardship, given the limitations of agency theory for the study of family SME governance. The study is based on a sample of 182 Chadian family SMEs from a variety of sectors. The investigation is based on a hypothetico-deductive method, and the research results show that the impact of governance on performance is significant. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out to identify specific factors for the three groups of variables: governance, altruism and family traits. Factor regression by respective degree of significance and importance of the factors shows that the factors governance formalism, relationships and delegations, internal relationships, training and experience and professional conflicts are the main drivers of SME performance. Finally, the impact of the altruism variable on performance is insignificant. In conclusion, the theoretical and managerial implications are discussed, along with the main avenues for future research.

PAPEL DOS INTERMEDIÁRIOS DE INVESTIMENTO INSTITUCIONAL NO CONTROLE CORPORATIVO: UMA ANÁLISE CRÍTICA

Purpose: The study aims to critically analyse the role of institutional investment intermediaries in the corporate control of their investee companies in Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions. Theoretical framework: Critical analysis of the role of institutional investment intermediaries derived out of the theoretical basis of classical theory of separation of ownership from management, agency theory, agency cost, stewardship theory and the modern corporate governance. Method: This is theoretical research using the analogy of the different accepted theories of corporate law on corporate management and control into the underlying utility of emerging institutional investment intermediaries in corporate control. Result and Conclusion: The result of the study shows major inferences that the suitable engagement in corporate control by institutional investment intermediaries is the stewardship relationship with its investee companies. However, their stewardship role can be converted to agency role to protect their private interests, which can also be resulted in the threat of corporate control monopolization as well as horizontal corporate control. Research implications: The research indicates the need for prevention of stewardship relationship transposing to agency relationship for preventing corporate control monopolization as well as horizontal corporate control. Originality/value: The current legal framework so far didn’t expect the possibility for transposition of stewardship relationship to agency relationship and its adverse impacts. Hence, corporate law and its allied laws shall take precautionary deterrence measures to avoid such transposition.

Exploring Factors that Encourage and Obstruct Change in Management Accounting in a Company

Exploring Factors that Encourage and Obstruct Change in Management Accounting in a Company

Benefactive declarative sentences in Indonesian: The role of the beneficiary in social behavior representation

Language shows a nation's character. Can Indonesian sentences with the predicate benefactive verbs show the character of the Indonesian nation? Benefactive sentences are sentences that have a subject argument as the beneficiaries and an object argument as the agent or vice versa. Subjects as agents and objects as beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can be oneself and can also be other people or personal things. In the Indonesian language by the beneficial declarative sentences, it can be determined the dominance of the beneficial. The problem is, what is the impact of the dominance of the beneficiary role on the behavior of Indonesian language users and what is the agent's relationship with our social beneficiaries and its social impact? The purpose of this study is to reveal the impact of dominance of the role of beneficiary in the benefactive verb on the declarative sentence of the Indonesian language, and the relationship of the agent with the beneficiary of circumstances or other people and their social impact. This research is qualitative research. The research data is in the form of declarative sentences in Indonesian which are predicated of benefactive verbs in people's speech, elementary-high school Indonesian language books, middle school economics books, and research data exploration. Research data was collected using observation and documentation methods using note-taking techniques and analyzed using distributional methods, interpretation, and analysis of meaning components. The results of this research can be concluded that beneficial declarative sentences in Indonesian show the behavior of the Indonesian people which is selfish, liberalist, and hedonistic, not socialist. The implications of these characteristics are for the nation's behavior, including corrupt public officials (only concerned with personal, family, and group profits)

Assessment of Salient Problems Associated with the Separation of Ownership and Control of Modern Cor-porations: Evaluation of Solutions and Their Effectiveness

This paper examines the salient problems related to the separation of ownership and control of modern corporations, as discussed in the books The Wealth of Nations and The Modern Corporation and Private Property. It qualitatively analyzes past empirical studies and evaluates the effectiveness of various solutions aimed at alleviating the separation between ownership and control. The analysis reveals that the agency relationship between shareholders and organizational managers underpins the phenomenon of ownership and control separation in modern companies. This separation offers several benefits, including ensuring business sustainability through professional management, efficient decision-making, and maximizing physical capital. Additionally, numerous mechanisms have proven effective in managing these issues. The paper explores management ownership and incentives, independent ownership, and institutional ownership as solutions that they have been found to reduce institutional problems and manage risk avoidance.

The Implication of Agency Theory in Micro-Business Financing of Sharia Cooperatives in Indonesia

The study examines the application of agency theory to Baitul Maal wa Tamwil (BMT), an Indonesian Sharia Cooperative, in terms of asset growth and socioeconomic implications. The paper examines BMT's cooperative structure, which complicates the agency relationship and calls into question the responsibilities of agents and principals to the finance practises of BMTs in Indonesia. However, BMTs continue to encounter agency issues in their real-world situations. They can employ a variety of financing contracts, including Murabaha, Mudaraba Musharakah, and Qardh hasan, however some may have problems. According to the findings, the paradigm of thinking based on Islamic principles should be examined in the context of BMT. Further empirical research on agency difficulties at BMTs in Indonesia can be carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Cooperatives, SMEs, and Finance.

Agent Protection in an Agency Agreement

Marketing products through agency business agreements is a common practice when manufacturers seek to expand their reach within specific territories. In Indonesia, this arrangement is often driven by import and export restrictions imposed on international entities. Due to these restrictions, foreign entities, referred to as principals, must engage agents or representatives to facilitate the sale of their products within Indonesia. This agency relationship is predominantly built upon a contractual agreement. In this agreement, the agent commits to representing the principal's interests, including legal representation if necessary. Conversely, the principal consents to the agent's representation on their behalf, particularly in legal matters. To gather insights into this dynamic, a Conceptual Approach method is employed to collect data. It emphasizes the significance of legal certainty within the framework of formal agreements. In Indonesia, contract law protection is founded upon this concept, ensuring that agreements are upheld. In the event of disputes arising from agency agreements, resolution processes typically defer to the terms stipulated in the initial agreement, emphasizing the importance of a well-defined and legally sound contract.