Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the positive accounting literature following publication of Watts and Zimmerman (1978, 1979). The 1978 paper helped generate the positive accounting literature which offers an explanation of accounting practice, suggests the importance of contracting costs, and has led to the discovery of some previously unknown empirical regularities. The 1979 paper produced a methodological debate that has not been very productive. This paper attempts to remove some common misconceptions about methodology that surfaced in the debate. It also suggests ways to improve positive research in accounting choice. The most important of these improvements is tighter links between the theory and the empirical tests. A second suggested improvement is the development of models that recognize the endogeneity among the variables in the regressions. A third improvement is reduction in measurement errors in both the dependent and independent variables in the regressions.

[In a model of takeovers under asymmetric information, we identify a separating equilibrium in which the value of the bidder firm is revealed by the mix of cash and securities used as payment for the target. The model predicts that the revealed bidder value is monotonically increasing and convex in the fraction of the total offer that consists of cash. We examine the model restrictions using data from Canada, where mixed offers are both relatively frequent and free of the confounding tax-related options characterizing mixed offers in the United States. We find that the average announcement-month bidder abnormal return in mixed offers is large and significant. However, maximum likelihood estimates of parameters in both linear and nonlinear cross-sectional regressions fail to support the model predictions.]

ABSTRACT This paper uses three methods to estimate quality option values for CBOT Treasury bond futures contracts. It presents evidence regarding: (1) payoffs from exercising this option at delivery, (2) estimates from a T‐bond futures pricing model that incorporates this option, and (3) estimates obtained from an exchange option pricing formula. The results indicate that this option is worth considerably less than reported by Kane and Marcus (1986a) . For example, payoffs obtained by switching from the bond cheapest to deliver three months prior to delivery to the one cheapest at time of delivery average less than 0.30 percentage points of par.

This paper uses three methods to estimate quality option values for Chicago Board of Trade Treasury bond futures contracts. It presents evidence regarding payoffs from exercising this option at delivery, estimates from a T-bond futures pricing model that incorporates this option, and estimates obtained from an exchange option pricing formula. The results indicate that this option is worth considerably less than reported by A. Kane and A. Marcus (1986). For example, payoffs obtained by switching from the bond cheapest to deliver three months prior to delivery to the one cheapest at time of delivery average less than 0.30 percentage points of par.

This paper uses three methods to estimate quality option values for CBOT Treasury bond futures contracts. It presents evidence regarding: (1) payoffs from exercising this option at delivery, (2) estimates from a T-bond futures pricing model that incorporates this option, and (3) estimates obtained from an exchange option pricing formula. The results indicate that this option is worth considerably less than reported by Kane and Marcus (1986a). For example, payoffs obtained by switching from the bond cheapest to deliver three months prior to delivery to the one cheapest at time of delivery average less than 0.30 percentage points of par.

Abstract. One purpose of this study is to identify major sources of stress for audit seniors. Fifty‐nine different job‐related stressors are identified and investigated. Statistical evidence of increased dysfunctional psychological symptoms associated with increases in the presence of certain stressors is provided. In addition, four stress models that incorporate job stressors, personality types, coping behaviors, and psychological symptoms are investigated. Two mediating‐effects models were found to portray suitably the relationships among these items. Résumé. Les auteurs ont entre autres pour but de déterminer les principales sources de stress chez les chefs de mission. Cinquante‐neuf éléments inducteurs de stress différents liés au travail sont identifiés et analysés. L'analyse statistique démontre que les symptômes psychologiques dysfonctionnels augmentent avec la présence accrue de certains inducteurs de stress. Les auteurs analysent en outre quatre modèles de stress faisant intervenir des inducteurs de stress dans le travail, des types de personnalité, des comportements face aux difficultés et des symptômes psychologiques. Ils en viennent à la conclusion que deux modèles d'effets médiateurs illustrent de façon appropriée les relations entre ces éléments.

This study investigates product safety choices in the airline industry, with particular attention to the role of financial conditions. The analysis uses data on 35 large scheduled passenger airlines over the 1957-86 period to estimate the effect of profitability and other aspects of financial health on accident and incident rates. The results indicate that lower profitability is correlated with higher accident and incident rates, particularly for smaller carriers. These findings support a broad class of theoretical models that suggest links between financial conditions and product quality and may have significant implications for the allocation of safety inspection and enforcement resources.

This study investigates product safety choices in the airline industry, with particular attention to the role of financial conditions. The analysis uses data on 35 large scheduled passenger airlines over the 1957-86 period to estimate the effect of profitability and other aspects of financial health on accident and incident rates. The results indicate that lower profitability is correlated with higher accident and incident rates, particularly for smaller carriers. These findings support a broad class of theoretical models that suggest links between financial conditions and product quality and may have significant implications for the allocation of safety inspection and enforcement resources.