Semester 2, 2017
ACC30008: Accounting Theory
Assessment 2: Research Assignment
Word limit: 2500 (+/- 10%)
Weighting: 30%
Due date: 5pm AEDT Monday 9 October 2017

Assessment overview
This assignment is based on the case study entitled “Scaling-up for Sustainability: Integrated Reporting of Takeda Pharmaceutical” published in Sage Business Cases and can be accessed by the hyperlink:
http://ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/login?url=http://sk.sagepub.com/cases/scaling-sustainabilityintegrated-reporting-takeda-pharmaceutical
Please note that you are not required to answer any of the questions listed in this case study. You are only required to answer the following questions.
Assessment details
Assume that you are a graduate accountant at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and as part of the graduate program you have been assigned to work with Koichi Kaneda, a senior director. In recent months, many listed companies including some Australian listed companies have sought Kaneda’s advice about integrated reporting. In response to this demand for information, Kaneda has tasked you to write a report for Chief Executive Officers of Australian listed companies explaining how a move from traditional corporate reporting to integrated reporting can benefit their company and its stakeholders. Your report should specifically address the following:
1. The capacity of traditional corporate reporting to assist corporations to meet the current social and environmental challenges. [note traditional corporate reporting includes the preparation of financial statements and standalone corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, and reporting using sustainability tools (e.g. the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Greenhouse Gas Protocols, the
Carbon Disclosure Project)] [approximately 450 words]
2. What is integrated reporting and how integrated reporting can address the limitations of traditional corporate reporting. [approximately 450 words]
3. How does integrated reporting differ from other forms of nonfinancial reporting e.g. CSR reporting, reporting using sustainability tools, the EU Directive on the disclosure of nonfinancial information. [Note: In particular, demonstrate the conceptual differences between integrated reporting and GRI G4 reporting] [approximately 400 words]
4. Advantages and disadvantages (or costs and benefits) associated with integrated reporting, and theoretically informed arguments as to how the company may benefit on balance, by adopting integrated reporting. [Note: refer to theories in accounting that explain why companies may adopt integrated reporting and based on those theories predict how the company might benefit by adopting integrated reporting] [approximately 550 words]
5. How relevant is integrated reporting to various stakeholder groups of listed companies (e.g., retail investors, institutional investors, lenders, environmental lobby groups, customers etc.). Your answer to this part should draw on theories explaining market reactions to corporate reports and capital markets research on the use of accounting and non-accounting information. [approximately 400 words]
Additional guidance
In this research assignment you will be providing your personal view based on research evidence, theory and original thought.
In your assignment, you are expected to draw on:
• relevant accounting theories
• the International Integrated Reporting Framework issued by the IIRC (available at:
http://integratedreporting.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/13-12-08-THEINTERNATIONAL-IR-FRAMEWORK-2-1.pdf)
• scholarly articles from academic journals
• reports issued by professional accounting bodies, accounting firms (particularly, the Big 4), regulatory bodies, the IIRC, the GRI and other organisations
• official websites of professional accounting bodies, accounting firms (particularly the Big 4), regulatory bodies, the IIRC, the GRI and other organisations
• media reports on integrated reporting
Sustainability and integrated reporting is covered in Chapter 9 of your textbook. The theoretical knowledge necessary to successfully complete this research assignment is not confined to one or few topics but spread across many topics in this unit. The theoretical knowledge provided in Chapters 7, 8 and 10 of your text book are particularly relevant to this assignment.
The class on topic 7 - “research skills and assignment workshop” is designed specifically around this assessment. You would benefit more from this class if you had already started your assignment and made sufficient progress in relation to each of the four questions prior to attending this class. This is because you will have a better understanding of the assignment and thus be able to clarify your doubts in this class.
The assignment should take the form of a report and include an executive summary.
The entire assignment should not exceed 2500 words (+/- 10 %) (excluding title page, table of contents, reference list and the executive summary, but including footnotes, endnotes and appendices). A reference list is required.
Please provide a word count on the cover sheet.
To avoid plagiarism, you are required to provide a reference whenever you include information from other sources in your work. Further details regarding plagiarism are available in Part C of the unit outline and will be discussed in class.
Referencing convention required for this unit is the Swinburne Harvard System. Helpful information on referencing using the Swinburne Harvard System can be found at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lib/studyhelp/harvard_style.html
Prior to submission of your assignment make sure your work is properly edited and proofread. Please use spelling and grammar checkers. You would like to obtain assistance from the Language and Academic Skills (LAS) Centre to improve your assignment and your writing skills. If you intend to obtain assistance from LAS then you should contact them as soon as possible. This can be done even before you have started working on your assignment. For more information about LAS and how to contact them - http://www.swinburne.edu.au/student/study-help/las.html
You may also benefit from using Writer’s Diet (http://writersdiet.com/?page_id=4) - a free online tool that help you improve the quality of your written work.
Objectives of the Assignment
There are two objectives for this assignment. The first objective is to assist you achieve the following Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) and the Course Learning Outcome (CLO) of the Masters of Practicing/Professional Accounting degree. The assignment marking rubric attached to this document explains how your achievement of these ULOs, and CLO will be assessed.
ULO 4. Apply dominant theoretical perspectives in accounting research to explain and interpret the selection and application of specific accounting rules, principles, practices and processes by preparers of accounting information.
ULO 5. Apply knowledge of accounting theory and research to predict market reactions and possible behavioural responses of users of accounting information to the release of accounting information using various theoretical perspectives.
CL06. Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence as preparation for research higher degrees.
The second objective of this assignment is to assist you develop effective written communication skills, analysis skills and the ability to work independently.
Research with employers consistently shows that communication skills is the main priority of employers when recruiting graduates in business, including accounting. In the 2015 Graduate Outlook Report published by Graduate Careers Australia, 58.3 per cent of graduate employers ranked ‘communication skills’ in their three top key selection criteria. Due to its importance, The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) included Communication Skills as one of the five threshold learning outcomes for accounting graduates. The ALTC recommends that a graduate of a Master degree in accounting should be able to “justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in complex collaborative contexts involving both accountants and nonaccountants”.
The assignment marking rubric is designed to assess your written communication skills as outlined in the ALTC threshold learning outcome stated above.
Submission details
This assessment will be submitted through the Blackboard assessment submission system (via Turnitin) and by placing in a specially assigned assignment drop box located on level 11 of the BA building.
Online submission: An electronic version of the assignment should be submitted via Turnitin no later than AEDT 5.00pm on Monday 9 October, 2017. Do not attach an assignment submission coversheet or reproduce the assignment questions in your submission.
Hard copy submission: A printed version of the assignment should be placed in the assignment drop box located on level 11 of the BA building no later than AEDT 5.00pm on Monday 9 October, 2017. A duly filled Assessment Cover Sheet must be submitted with the printed version. The standard Assessment Cover Sheet is available from the “Current Students” website.
Assessment criteria
Your work will be assessed using the following marking rubric.
Criteria Does not meet requirements Meets requirements Exceeds requirements Score
Pass (50-59%) Credit (60-69%) Distinction (70-79%) High Distinction (80-100%)
Written communication
(20%) Did not meet criterion
The written project exhibits multiple errors in grammar, sentence structure, and/or spelling; inadequate writing skills (e.g., weaknesses in language facility and mechanics) hinder readability and contribute to an ineffective research project
Writing is unengaging, and reader finds it difficult to maintain interest;
tone is not consistently professional or suitable for an academic research project Acceptable standard of presentation with clear communication.
Written research project displays good word choice, language conventions, and mechanics with a few minor errors in spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and/or punctuation; errors do not represent a major distraction or obscure meaning
Writing is usually engaging and keeps the reader’s attention; tone is generally professional and appropriate for an academic research project Good standard of presentation, including editing, grammar, punctuation, and structure. Clear communication of ideas.
Readability of the project is enhanced by facility in language use/word choice, good mechanics, and syntactic variety; uses language conventions well (e.g., spelling, punctuation, sentence
structure, paragraphing, grammar, etc.)
Writing is somewhat compelling and mostly sustains interest throughout; tone is mostly professional and appropriate for an academic research project High standard of presentation, including editing, grammar, punctuation, and structure. Excellent communication of ideas.
Readability of the project is enhanced by facility in language use/word choice, excellent mechanics, and syntactic variety;
uses language conventions effectively (e.g., spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, grammar, etc.)
Writing is mostly compelling and generally sustains interest throughout; tone is consistently professional and appropriate for an academic research project Excellent standard of presentation, including editing, grammar, punctuation and structure. Outstanding communication of ideas.
Readability of the project is enhanced by facility in language use/word choice, excellent mechanics, and syntactic variety;
uses language conventions effectively (e.g., spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, grammar, etc.)
Writing is compelling and sustains interest throughout; tone is consistently professional and appropriate for an academic research project
Referencing (10%) Did not meet criterion. External sources are acknowledged but incorrectly referenced. Harvard system of referencing has been used however closer adherence to the demands of the Harvard style guide is required. External sources are generally referenced correctly using the Harvard style but there are minor errors in formatting or the use of punctuation. All external sources are referenced correctly using the Harvard referencing style.
Extent of
Research (10%) Most of the references are from sources that are not peer-reviewed or professional, and have uncertain reliability; few if any appropriate citations are provided; reader doubts the validity of much of the material Academically legitimate references are generally used but only a minimal number of them; clear and fair citations are presented in most cases; most of the information/content/evidence comes from sources that are reliable. Presents good evidence from academically legitimate sources; attribution is clear and accurate; references are primarily peerreviewed journals or other approved sources. Several relevant citations have been omitted. Presents compelling evidence from academically legitimate sources but more evidence can be provided; attribution is clear and accurate; references are primarily peer-reviewed journals or other approved sources. Most relevant citations are used. Presents extremely compelling evidence from academically legitimate sources; attribution is clear and accurate; references are primarily high quality and extent peer-reviewed journals or other approved sources.
Question 1 (12%) Research problem, concept, or idea is not clearly articulated, or its component elements are not identified or described; research Adequately identifies and describes (or sketches out) the research problem, concept, or idea and its components; gathers and examines information relating to the research problem, Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be
information is poorly organized, categorized, and/or superficially examined; research information is often inaccurate or incomplete; presents little if any analysis or interpretation; inaccurately and/or inappropriately applies research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories to the analysis; presents few solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are often not well supported, inaccurate, and/or inconsistent, and are presented in a vague or rudimentary manner concept, or idea; satisfactorily presents and appraises research information with only minor inconsistencies, irrelevancies, or omissions; generally applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories with a few minor inaccuracies; outlines solutions or conclusions that are logical and consistent with the analysis and evidence; identifies and/or lists solutions or conclusions in a clear manner examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete
Question 2 (12%) Research problem, concept, or idea is not clearly articulated, or its component elements are not identified or described; research information is poorly organized, categorized, and/or superficially examined; research information is often inaccurate or incomplete; presents little if any analysis or interpretation; inaccurately and/or inappropriately applies research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories to the analysis; presents few solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are often not well supported, inaccurate, and/or inconsistent, and are presented in a vague or rudimentary manner. Adequately identifies and describes (or sketches out) the research problem, concept, or idea and its components; gathers and examines information relating to the research problem, concept, or idea; satisfactorily presents and appraises research information with only minor inconsistencies, irrelevancies, or omissions; generally applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories with a few minor inaccuracies; outlines solutions or conclusions that are logical and consistent with the analysis and evidence; identifies and/or lists solutions or conclusions in a clear manner Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete.
Question 3 (12%) Research problem, concept, or idea is not clearly articulated, or its component elements are not identified or described; research information is poorly organized, categorized, and/or superficially examined; research information is often inaccurate or incomplete; presents little if any analysis or interpretation; inaccurately and/or inappropriately applies research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories to the analysis; presents few solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are often not well supported, inaccurate, and/or inconsistent, and are presented in a vague or rudimentary manner Adequately identifies and describes (or sketches out) the research problem, concept, or idea and its components; gathers and examines information relating to the research problem, concept, or idea; satisfactorily presents and appraises research information with only minor inconsistencies, irrelevancies, or omissions; generally applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories with a few minor inaccuracies; outlines solutions or conclusions that are logical and consistent with the analysis and evidence; identifies and/or lists solutions or conclusions in a clear manner Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically
consistent, and complete

Question 4 (12%) Research problem, concept, or idea is not clearly articulated, or its component elements are not identified or described; research information is poorly organized, categorized, and/or superficially examined; research information is often inaccurate or incomplete; presents little if any analysis or interpretation; inaccurately and/or inappropriately applies research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories to the analysis; presents few solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are often not well supported, inaccurate, and/or inconsistent, and are presented in a vague or rudimentary manner. Adequately identifies and describes (or sketches out) the research problem, concept, or idea and its components; gathers and examines information relating to the research problem, concept, or idea; satisfactorily presents and appraises research information with only minor inconsistencies, irrelevancies, or omissions; generally applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories with a few minor inaccuracies; outlines solutions or conclusions that are logical and consistent with the analysis and evidence; identifies and/or lists solutions or conclusions in a clear manner. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete.

Question 5 (12%) Research problem, concept, or idea is not clearly articulated, or its component elements are not identified or described; research information is poorly organized, categorized, and/or superficially examined; research information is often inaccurate or incomplete; presents little if any analysis or interpretation; inaccurately and/or inappropriately applies research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories to the analysis; presents few solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are often not well supported, inaccurate, and/or inconsistent, and are presented in a vague or rudimentary manner. Adequately identifies and describes (or sketches out) the research problem, concept, or idea and its components; gathers and examines information relating to the research problem, concept, or idea; satisfactorily presents and appraises research information with only minor inconsistencies, irrelevancies, or omissions; generally applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories with a few minor inaccuracies; outlines solutions or conclusions that are logical and consistent with the analysis and evidence; identifies and/or lists solutions or conclusions in a clear manner. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete. Effectively formulates a clear description of the research problem, concept, or idea, and specifies major elements to be examined; selects and prioritizes information appropriate to addressing the research problem, concept, or idea; accurately and appropriately analyzes and interprets relevant research information; precisely and effectively applies appropriate research methods, techniques, models, frameworks, and/or theories in developing and justifying multiple solutions or conclusions; solutions or conclusions are insightful, coherent, well supported, logically consistent, and complete.
11