The IFRS for SMEs was developed to address the reporting needs of SMEs worldwide. SMEs however do not necessarily have a global focus. Furthermore, SMEs from different parts of the world are exposed to different conditions and environments.Although the IFRS for SMEs was not intended for a specific user group, the majority of the respondents to the Exposure Draft on IFRS for SMEs were from Europe and other developed countries while only limited respondents from Africa and developing countries were involved.This study considered the relevance of the contents of the IFRS for SMEs in the South African environment based on user requirements. Since SMEs do not necessarily have functional accounting departments and because they rely on external accountants to compile financial statements, we included accounting practitioners and trainee accountants from the SME sector in our survey. As a result we classified the contents of the IFRS for SMEs, from a South African perspective, into different levels of importance or relevance.

1994 to 2015 on total foreign portfolio investments in liabilities (equity and debt) were collected.Panel data regression analysis incorporating pooled regression, fixed-effects, and random-effects models was estimated. Also, the generalised method of moment estimator was employed to address the problem of endogeneity, usually associated with panel data analysis and as a robustness check for the model. The logit regression model was used to examine the determinant factors of IFRS adoption.Various statistical tests were estimated, such as the diagnostic test, using the histogram and Jarque-Bera statistics, difference-in-difference (DID) test, the unit root test, and the cross-sectional dependence test. The Hausman's chi-square was estimated to determine the best alternative technique between the fixed-effects and random-effects models. Also the Arellano-Bond estimator autocorrelation 〈1〉 and 〈2〉 was used to evaluate the validity of the variable instruments in the model. Besides, the average marginal effect (AME) was estimated for the effect of each covariate on the result. Certain covariates were estimated as control variables in the model.The statistical results show a significant and positive effect of the adoption of IFRS on FPI inflows after the adoption and implementation of IFRS in adopting countries. Equally, the finding further indicates a significant difference in the volume of FPI inflows after the adoption of IFRS than before the adoption, in adopting countries. The statistical estimates also reveal a positive and significant effect of IFRS adoption on FPI in adopting countries, compare with non-adopting IFRS countries where it shows a negative and non-significant relationship. It shows that countries that adopted IFRS experience more inflows in FPI compare with the non-adopting countries in Africa.Furthermore, the logit regression results show that culture, the legal system, political system, investor protection, market capitalisation, and tax were found to be positively significant with the probability of adopting IFRS in the logistic model. This thesis, therefore, suggests that the adoption of IFRS is justified in the selected countries in Africa since the results indicated a positive and significant effect of IFRS adoption on FPI in these countries. Hence, substantiated the assumption of IFRS proponents that adoption will enhance the flow of FPI in adopting countries for economic development. Policies measure to monitor the activities of listed firms and to enforce compliance with IFRS rules and regulations are warranted.These policies would further enable IFRS adopting countries to enhance more flow of FPI.

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We report on the procedural outcome in 30 patients with acute coronary syndromes in whom stent implantation was attempted without predilatation. Elective stent implantation in infarct related coronary arteries after myocardial infarction might be superior to agioptasty alone. We retrospectively analyzed the result from 88 patients who had stent implantation for myocardial infarction or unstable angina. In 30 of these patients we attempted to implant a stem without predilating the vessel. Successful stent deployment was possible in 26 (87%). In four patients where it was not possible to cross the lesion, we could withdraw the stent to predilate the lesion. We did not attempt direct stent implantation if the lesion was calcified, long, involved major side branches or a tortuous proximal segment, or where the length of the lesion and diameter of the distal vessel could not be measured. A low profile, premounted stent was used. Procedural success was 100% in the group of 30 patients with direct stent implantation— not significantly different from the 93% success in the group of 58 patients whose lesions were predilated first but had more complex lesions. The incidence of complications did not differ significantly between the two groups and no instances of stent loss or displacement occurred in the direct implantation group. Stent implantation without predilatation is feasible and not associated with a higher incidence of complications, provided lesions that allow easy positioning of the stent are selected. It can shorten the procedure and duration of ischemic occlusion of the vessel, which would be of particular advantage in unstable patients or where a large area of myocardium is jeopardized.

The digitalisation of the economy has increased tax administrations’ traditional tax risks and introduced new tax non-compliance risks, such as the use of income suppression software and tax fraud associated with the use of alternative payment methods, such as cryptocurrencies. This study focuses on the global reform that took place among tax authorities from a tax risk management and assurance perspective. The study was executed in two phases, including a cross-national literature review to synthesise international reform regarding tax risk management and assurance in response to the digitalisation of the economy. This process was followed by interviews with risk, technology and data experts of 30 global tax authorities in order to evaluate the level of implementation of the global reform measures identified in the first research phase. The research results suggest an imbalance in reform among participants from developed and developing economies. An inability to optimise tax risk and assurance management within the digitalised economy will negatively impact the tax authorities’ ability to maximise tax collection within the digitalised economy. This is especially concerning if the significant role of digital platforms on future global economic value creation is considered.