Papers by Masibulele Phesa
Positive Tone Sentiment and Readability as Impression Management Tactics Used by District Municipalities in South Africa
Journal of business and social review in emerging economies, Dec 31, 2023
Journal of accounting and finance in emerging economies, Sep 30, 2023
The use of impression management in corporate reporting is mostly in pursuit of value creation fo... more The use of impression management in corporate reporting is mostly in pursuit of value creation for stakeholders. The study exposes the use of impression management practices in voluntary narrative disclosures. The study focused on Top 40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies. Impression management was examined through the length of the chairperson's statement and use of positive tone. The chairperson's statement focuses on the future and strategic direction. Stakeholders focus on the chairperson's statement for investment decision-making purposes. Approach: Quantitative content analysis is used on secondary data extracted from integrated reports. Findings: The study found that profitable and nonprofitable JSElisted companies use impression management through the length of the chairperson's statement and the use of a positive tone. Value: The study attempts to provides notice of the use of impression management to prospective and current investors who to some extent rely on voluntary narrative disclosure for investment decision making purposes and adds the debate on stakeholder theory in corporate reporting.
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability and Social Science, Nov 30, 2023
Finance professionals, for example, accountants and auditors, have always been well respected and... more Finance professionals, for example, accountants and auditors, have always been well respected and held in high esteem by the public. They have been regarded as overseers of financial reporting, as they have to ensure that organizations comply with relevant regulations and financial laws. The bodies that govern the finance profession in South Africa include, amongst others, SAICA, SAIPA, ACCA, CIMA, and SAIBA. These bodies are there to safeguard and defend the public interests by managing the performance of organizations. It is what legitimizes their existence. However, in recent times, financial scandals and creative accounting have taken the financial world by storm, not just in South Africa but across the globe. suggest that these scandals cause many pains; hundreds of thousands of employees lose their jobs, and millions of individuals lose millions of rands in investments and retirement funds. Perhaps. The spate of
The chairperson's statement (CS) has evolved into a key component of corporate reporting, offerin... more The chairperson's statement (CS) has evolved into a key component of corporate reporting, offering an authoritative, high-level summary of a company's activities, initiatives, operations, financial performance, and achievements over the preceding financial year, along with insights into future outlooks. Recognised for its informative value, the CS is consistently ranked by stakeholders as the most read and most influential section of the integrated report. Despite its importance, the CS is also a platform where corporate management often engages in impression management (IM) to portray a biased and overly positive image of the company. This study conducted a systematic literature review to examine the IM tactics employed within the CS. Based on the findings, an integrative conceptual framework was developed. Identified IM tactics include readability, textual characteristics, the influence of culture, legal systems and capital markets, paratext and intertextuality, the tone of language, forward-looking statements, retrospective sense-making, ambiguous language, the use of photographs and graphs, impersonalisation and evaluative language, and self-serving attributions. The results highlight that the study of IM strategies in CSs represents a rich and relevant research domain that warrants deeper exploration. Given its qualitative complexity and underexplored dimensions, this area offers several promising avenues for future investigation.
This study aimed to identify the financial management techniques of waste pickers and their persp... more This study aimed to identify the financial management techniques of waste pickers and their perspectives on entrepreneurship. The research concentrates on the Durban metropolitan region and employs a sample of 100 rubbish pickers from three suburbs adjacent to significant informal populations. A quantitative methodology is utilised, employing a questionnaire as the data gathering instrument. The questionnaire was translated into IsiZulu to accommodate non-English speaking individuals. The questionnaire comprised three sections: biographical information, financial management techniques, and attitudes towards entrepreneurship. The results indicate that most waste pickers originate from single-parent households and receive a government payment for an average of two children. Several respondents, predominantly female, reported that they often utilise 'omatshonisa' (informal moneylenders) while anticipating revenue from the sale of their goods. The majority of respondents said that, despite opening bank accounts, these accounts had remained inactive for at least one year due to minimal revenues. Women possess the majority of bank accounts. Waste pickers earn an average of R607 monthly, with a minimum of R200 and a maximum of R2,000. The waste pickers do not save the earnings from the sale of salvaged goods, as the funds are allocated for purchasing meals for children. The study additionally reveals that age has a positive correlation with both waste picking experience and the frequency of days worked per week. These associations exhibit statistical significance. The majority of waste pickers expressed a willingness to initiate cooperatives and small businesses, contingent upon the availability of mentoring and money. This study influences entrepreneurship, environmental, and health policies for municipal, provincial, and central governments. This research will direct scholars to pursue other investigations on the topic.
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the preeminent professional account... more The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the preeminent professional accounting body in South Africa, administers two staggered sequential qualifying examinations-the Initial Test of Competency (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competency (APC)-to licence candidates as chartered accountants. Analysing the readability of the exams using the Gunning Fog Reading Index (GFRI) and Flesch Readability Ease Index (FREI), we find that both exams are difficult to read. We also find that the ITC exams are more difficult to read than the APC exams. These findings hold even when different parts of the exam are considered separately. While a difficult level of readability might be necessary to at least some extent due to the technical nature of the content being assessed, our findings raise concerns about potential construct-irrelevant variance (CIV), which could impact the validity, fairness, and reliability of the qualifying exams. Considering that a substantial portion of the candidates are non-native English speakers, these findings highlight the potential role of readability in ensuring equitable access to the chartered accountancy profession.
International Journal of Research in Business & Social Science, 2024
The study aimed to design the auditing framework for the audit of the chairperson's statement. Th... more The study aimed to design the auditing framework for the audit of the chairperson's statement. The chairperson's statement is one of the most read narrative disclosure statements in the integrated report. Non-financial information has become twice as important as financial information yet, it is not required by the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). The chairperson's statement is not audited and this leads to the use of impression management tactics. This study answers the call from different scholars who have called upon the audit of the chairperson's statement to curb the use of impression management tactics. The mixed method is used for data analysis. Perception of external auditors is sought through the Likert scale and interviews to ensure triangulation. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and thematic analysis are used to analyze the data. The study found that auditors are aware of the existing concern about the use of impression management in the chairperson's statement. In this regard, an audit of the chairperson's statement is deemed appropriate and long overdue. External auditors are the most suitable experts to audit the chairperson's statement and issue reasonable assurance. Secondly, auditors believe that the reliability of the chairperson's statement is crucial and to ensure credibility, the company must have strong internal control, and report accurate and complete information in the chairperson's statement. The auditing framework is designed and shown through an integrative conceptual model. The results are consistent with previous studies that emphasise the need for the assurance of non-financial information in the integrated report. This study triggers debates amongst accounting firms, standard setters, and policymakers on the adoption of the auditing framework for the chairperson's statement to give assurance to the users. The study contributes to the body of knowledge with an auditing framework to audit the chairperson's statement, the first of its kind. Lastly, the study adds to the developing debate on the assurance of narrative disclosure parts of the integrated report.
Educatio Journal of education, 2024
Covid-19 came with unprecedented changes in higher education necessitated by a need to save the a... more Covid-19 came with unprecedented changes in higher education necessitated by a need to save the academic year all over the world. Institutions and instructors all over the world had to devise different strategies for teaching and learning under unfavorable circumstances. This included the development of content suitable for online learning and assessments during these challenging times. To save the academic year online strategies/tools had to be used. This article navigates through existing literature to observe the online learning strategies/tools that were used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses a systematic literature review methodology as adopted by Tranfield, Denver, and Smart (2003) and modified by Hansen and Schaltegger (2016) to explore and unveil all the existing online learning strategies used during COVID-19. A systematic review is a transparent and reproducible process for literature identification related to online learning tools during COVID-19. The study covers articles written from 2019 to the end 2021 calendar year. The results show video conferencing tools were used to conduct classes with Zoom the, most used tool, and Teams, Google Meet, and Youtube amongst others. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter amongst others were used for communication purposes. The online learning strategies/tools were a saving grace during the Covid-19. These results give insights of the existing online learning tools used during crises all over the world and serve as guidance for future use in case of crisis. Further, gives insights to government, and academic institutions on what worked and did not work during the pandemic in education.
Impression Management during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of the Chairperson’s Statement by JSE-Listed Profitable and Least Profitable Companies
Journal of accounting and finance in emerging economies, Dec 31, 2022
Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Ex... more Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies used impression management in the chairperson’s statement during the Covid-19 pandemic. The chairperson’s statement is one of the most frequently read and highly rated narrative disclosure statements in the integrated report. Design: Quantitative content analysis was used. The profitable and least-profitable companies were evaluated using six textual characteristics, namely the length of the chairperson's statement, the use of passive voice, the use of personal references, the use of quantitative references, the use of future references, and the readability score. Findings: The study found that profitable and least-profitable top 100 JSE-listed companies used impression management during the pandemic. Moreover, both groups used the passive voice as well as future, personal, and quantitative references in the chairperson's statement, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference in readability, quantitative references, passive voice, personal references, length, and future references. The results are contrary to previous research that indicates that impression management is used less during a crisis. Implications: The study adds to the debate on the use of impression management in corporate reporting during the crisis and adds to the debate on attribution theory.
Impression Management during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of the Chairperson’s Statement by JSE-Listed Profitable and Least Profitable Companies
Journal of accounting and finance in emerging economies, Dec 31, 2022
Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Ex... more Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies used impression management in the chairperson’s statement during the Covid-19 pandemic. The chairperson’s statement is one of the most frequently read and highly rated narrative disclosure statements in the integrated report. Design: Quantitative content analysis was used. The profitable and least-profitable companies were evaluated using six textual characteristics, namely the length of the chairperson's statement, the use of passive voice, the use of personal references, the use of quantitative references, the use of future references, and the readability score. Findings: The study found that profitable and least-profitable top 100 JSE-listed companies used impression management during the pandemic. Moreover, both groups used the passive voice as well as future, personal, and quantitative references in the chairperson's statement, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference in readability, quantitative references, passive voice, personal references, length, and future references. The results are contrary to previous research that indicates that impression management is used less during a crisis. Implications: The study adds to the debate on the use of impression management in corporate reporting during the crisis and adds to the debate on attribution theory.
A Manifestation of Impression Management in Corporate Reporting in Jse Top 40 Listed Companies
Journal of business and social review in emerging economies, Sep 30, 2022
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to exposes impression management in the developing country, ... more Purpose: The purpose of the study is to exposes impression management in the developing country, with a specific focus on the Top 40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Despite not being required by the International Financial Reporting Standards, the Chairperson's statement is the most read statement among the more than 80% of listed companies. The study investigated profitable and unprofitable companies' use of impression management through passive voice and personal references. Methodology: Secondary data in form of annual reports were used and self-attribution theory was used as framework. Mixed content analysis was used. Using a targeted sample, the study differentiated between 20 profitable and 20 unprofitable companies, based on the change in pre-tax profit between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020. Findings: Profitable and unprofitable companies used self-attribution bias. The Mann-Whitney test finds no significant difference despite profitable organizations’ using more self-attribution than unprofitable companies. The continued use of impression management deceives investors and impairs their ability to make informed decisions Implications: The study sends a strong warning to potential investors on use of impression management by listed companies. Further, the study further adds to the debate on impression management through self-attribution in corporate reporting.
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science
Municipalities, in general, experience difficulties in own revenue generation. However, this prob... more Municipalities, in general, experience difficulties in own revenue generation. However, this problem is most severe among rural district councils as they tend to have relatively smaller revenue bases, a culture of non-payment on the part of ratepayers, poor service delivery, inefficient billing systems, poor planning and poor debtor’s management. As a result, rural district councils in Zimbabwe including the Chivi Rural District Council (CRDC) are facing self-sustainability concerns due to financial difficulties. There is overwhelming evidence in research to support the notion that properly planned billing systems have a positive impact on revenue generation among municipalities. On the other hand, poorly planned billing systemswill lead to financial difficulties. A case study approach is designed. Secondary data wasgathered in addition to primary data was collected through questionnaires withCRDC employees and ratepayers. Secondary data was collected through existing CRDC and gover...
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science
The study examined whether Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE Ltd) delisted companies used impressi... more The study examined whether Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE Ltd) delisted companies used impression management in the chairman’s statements and audit committee's reports preceding delisting from 2016 to 2021. There is a concerning trend of delisting from JSE, which may be voluntary or compulsory. The chairman’s statement is highly ranked as the most read voluntary narrative disclosure statement. Furthermore, as assurance providers and governance structure, the audit committee is expected to assure the organisation as a whole. The study uses quantitative content analysis on integrated reports of the JSE-delisted companies from 2016 to 2021. Impression management is examined for length, use of passive voice, and the use of personal references in the chairman’s statement and audit committee report. The study examined and provided insight into impression management practices used by delisted companies and ascertains whether there is a systematic difference in the use of impression m...
Journal of Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies, 2022
Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Ex... more Purpose: The study examined whether profitable and least-profitable Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies used impression management in the chairperson’s statement during the Covid-19 pandemic. The chairperson’s statement is one of the most frequently read and highly rated narrative disclosure statements in the integrated report. Design: Quantitative content analysis was used. The profitable and least-profitable companies were evaluated using six textual characteristics, namely the length of the chairperson's statement, the use of passive voice, the use of personal references, the use of quantitative references, the use of future references, and the readability score. Findings: The study found that profitable and least-profitable top 100 JSE-listed companies used impression management during the pandemic. Moreover, both groups used the passive voice as well as future, personal, and quantitative references in the chairperson's statement, even during the C...
A Manifestation of Impression Management in Corporate Reporting in Jse Top 40 Listed Companies
Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to exposes impression management in the developing country, ... more Purpose: The purpose of the study is to exposes impression management in the developing country, with a specific focus on the Top 40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Despite not being required by the International Financial Reporting Standards, the Chairperson's statement is the most read statement among the more than 80% of listed companies. The study investigated profitable and unprofitable companies' use of impression management through passive voice and personal references. Methodology: Secondary data in form of annual reports were used and self-attribution theory was used as framework. Mixed content analysis was used. Using a targeted sample, the study differentiated between 20 profitable and 20 unprofitable companies, based on the change in pre-tax profit between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020. Findings: Profitable and unprofitable companies used self-attribution bias. The Mann-Whitney test finds no significant difference despite profitable organizations’ using more sel...
Uploads
Papers by Masibulele Phesa