Globalization and contextual factors in accounting : the case of Germany / by Eva Heidhues, Chris Patel.

"This research monograph critically examines convergence of financial reporting in Germany by taking into account the influence of political, social and economic factors on accounting. This study makes an original and significant contribution by examining issues and biases in the convergence process that may challenge the assumption of superiority, global comparability and universal applicability of International Financial Reporting Standards. Specifically this monograph critically evaluates convergence by taking into account German accounting development and examines issues concerning the application of professional judgment, which has increasingly been recognized with an emphasis on multiple perspectives, this study shows that accounting research will be enhanced by a critical examination of contextual environments of countries rather than a focus on measurement, quantification, simplification and categorization."--Page 4 of cover.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 163-196).

Globalization and accounting convergence-overview. Introduction -- Globalization and accounting convergence-background and relevant definitions -- Aim and objectives -- Methodology -- Contributions -- A critique of Gray's framework on accounting values using Germany as a case study. Introduction -- Gray's theoretical framework of accounting values -- Criticism of Gray's model of accounting values and its subsequent application -- Germany's accounting model : Gray's accounting values applied -- The legitimacy of "secrecy" in financial disclosure -- Discussion and conclusion -- Adoption of IFRS in Germany : a neo-institutional analysis. Introduction -- The relevance of institutional theory in accounting -- Development and legitimacy of the German accounting model -- Adoption of IFRS and ismorphism -- Discussion and conclusion -- The influence of power and legitimacy on German attitudes toward the IASB and the promotion of professional judgments. Introduction -- Previous research on legitimacy perceptions and attitudes toward the IASB and IFRS -- Proposed framework to study attitudes toward the promotion of professional judgment by the IASB -- Research methods -- Results -- Discussion and analysis -- Conclusions --The influence of uncertainty avoidance on accountants' materiality judgments : a cross-cultural study of German and Italian accountants. Introduction -- Theoretical background and hypotheses development -- Methodology -- Results and discussion -- Conclusion -- Conclusions. Introduction -- Summaries, implications, and contributions of individual research projects -- Overall conclusions and further implications -- Limitations and suggestions for future research.