Issues in Contemporary Accounting Group Research Assignment

Research topic: Issues of implementing IFRS globally

Topic background: Debates on whether the harmonised International Financial Reporting Standards result in harmonised international accounting practices have been growing recently. Study based in emerging economies, such as China (He et al., 2012), Romania (Albu et al., 2014), South Asian countries - India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh (Ali et al., 2006), South Pacific Island countries (Chand, 2005), United Arab Emeritus (Irvine, 2008), Turkey (Misirlioglu et al., 2013), have consistently reported the challenge of effectively implementing IFRS in those countries due to country-specific contextual issues. Similar findings are also reported in developed countries (e.g. Nobes 2015).

Please answer the following questions

Q1. Explain the concept and the underlying assumptions of IFRS harmonisation by referring to relevant literature. (approximately 500 words)

Q2. Review the prescribed research articles (available at VU e-library, see point 6 below), and three more research articles relevant to the topic at your choice, about the contextual issues of implementing IFRS in emerging economies and in developed countries. (Approximately 800 words)

Q3. Analyse the use of IFRS by researching TWO companies' financial reports in 2016. The four companies must be of the same industry. ONE company must be listed on your home country's stock exchange (if applicable), and the other one listed on Australian Securities Exchange. (Approximately 600 words)

Q4. Discuss your findings in the context of institutional theory framework. (Approximately 600 words).