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Should financial reporting reflect firms’ business models? What accounting can learn from the economic theory of the firm

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  • Brian Singleton-Green

Abstract

The paper draws on the economic theory of the firm as developed by Ronald Coase and Oliver Williamson. The theory helps us to understand why firms exist and why market prices are available for some items in accounts and not for others that are part of in-firm processes. The paper argues that financial reporting already reflects firms’ business models and makes the case for an approach to measurement in financial reporting based on firms’ business models. This approach distinguishes between assets that are transformed by a firm’s in-firm processes and those that are not. Historical cost measurements would usually be appropriate for the former, market price measurements (fair value) for the latter. The paper identifies a number of problems with the business model approach to measurement, but suggests that none of them should lead to the conclusion that such an approach would be mistaken. It also suggests opportunities for further research. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Singleton-Green, 2014. "Should financial reporting reflect firms’ business models? What accounting can learn from the economic theory of the firm," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 18(3), pages 697-706, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:18:y:2014:i:3:p:697-706
    DOI: 10.1007/s10997-012-9240-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Marton & Alfred Wagenhofer, 2010. "Comment on the IASB Discussion Paper ‘Preliminary Views on Revenue Recognition in Contracts with Customers’," Accounting in Europe, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 3-13, June.
    2. Stephen Penman, 2007. "Financial reporting quality: is fair value a plus or a minus?," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(S1), pages 33-44.
    3. Coase, R. H., 1990. "The Firm, the Market, and the Law," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226111018, September.
    4. James Leisenring & Thomas Linsmeier & Katherine Schipper & Edward Trott, 2012. "Business-model (intent)-based accounting," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(3), pages 329-344, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mara Del Baldo & Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli, 2017. "Renewing and improving the business model toward sustainability in theory and practice," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    4. Emiliano Carlo & Fabio Fortuna & Silvia Testarmata, 2016. "Boundaries of the business model within business groups," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 20(2), pages 321-362, June.
    5. Paola Vola & Lorenzo Gelmini & Lucrezia Songini, 2021. "What does the Business Model tell us about Natural Capital? Insights from African Integrated Reports," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(suppl. 1), pages 75-96.
    6. Lorenzo Simoni & Laura Bini & Francesco Giunta, 2019. "The effects of business model regulation on the value relevance of traditional performance measures. Some evidence from UK companies," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(1), pages 83-111.
    7. Patrizia Di Tullio & Diego Valentinetti & Michele Antonio Rea, 2018. "Integrating The Business Model Puzzle: A Systematic Literature Review," International Journal of Business Research and Management (IJBRM), Computer Science Journals (CSC Journals), vol. 9(1), pages 1-46, June.
    8. Haslam, Colin & Tsitsianis, Nick & Theodosopoulos, Grigorios & Lee, Edward, 2018. "Accounting for voluntary hospices in England: A business model perspective," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 27-40.

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