Abstract
This chapter provides illustrations of the tensions and conflicts between uniformity and uniqueness, using examples of concrete accounting standards and the reasoning behind them from the perspective of standard setters. It has long been known that there are several factors that contribute to the large discrepancy between formal and material harmonization (or in other words between harmonization of standards versus harmonization of practices). We discuss how this discrepancy can be understood as a result of the tensions and conflicts between demands for uniformity and uniqueness. We trace these tensions and conflicts with the help of specific examples. The examples are illustrations of issues that are raised within the areas of segment reporting, goodwill accounting, business combinations and financial instruments.
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Nilsson, F., Stockenstrand, AK. (2015). Financial Accounting Standards: Some Examples. In: Financial Accounting and Management Control. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13782-7_3
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