The aim of this paper is to assess if and how a concept of accounting quality differs from perspectives of various types of organisations affected by the accounting harmonisation process. Accounting harmonisation is commonly associated with worldwide adoption of IFRS by public interest companies. However, in the EU this process is much broader and also involves efforts to harmonise accounting standards for non-listed companies and public sector organisations. Analysis of the previous scientific research revealed that accounting quality was commonly assessed from IFRS users’ perspective and approximated with the quality of financial statements. However, based on the interviews with experts of Lithuanian accounting market, the concept of accounting quality for small and medium companies and public sector institutions is ambiguous and still needs to be clarified. Definition of accounting quality only as the quality financial statements is too narrow as financial disclosure is not that important for such companies. For non-listed companies and public sector organisations, other aspects and factors, such as qualification of accountants, supervision of accounting and reporting, overall and managers’ perspective on importance of accounting, have more importance while defining accounting quality.

Research background: The problem of base erosion and profit shifting by multi-national corporations has been debated from different perspectives because of its multiple impact on the key actors in the economy. Studies refer to its positive impact on companies via corporate taxes saved, but its negative impact on governments via reduced tax collection. A number of empirical studies conducted in different countries support the substantial BEPS impact on company performance, but report differences in its magnitude. Other authors claim that, despite a wide range of tax avoidance opportunities available, tax avoidance is limited due to institutional measures imposed (tax audits, penalties for non-compliance) and high implementation costs. A majority of the previous empirical research covered large countries (USA, Germany) or regions (e.g. Europe), but there is a gap in the re-search assessing the BEPS impact on multinational corporations’ subsidiaries’ performance in countries with lower corporate income tax rates such as the Baltic countries. Purpose of the article: To assess the impact of base erosion and profit shifting on multinational corporations’ subsidiaries’ performance in the Baltic countries. Methods: Empirical research is conducted based on the framework employed by Hines and Rice (1994) to measure BEPS impact on company performance. Regression analysis with fixed effects was applied to a sample of 3,422 Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian subsidiaries of multinational corporations, which are characterized by low corporate tax rates.  The data for the period of 2007–2015 was retrieved from the Amadeus database. Findings & Value added: The research revealed that Baltic countries’ tax differentials between multinational corporations’ parent and subsidiary countries might have a significant impact on the subsidiary’s financial performance. When the tax rate differences between Baltic and the foreign countries decrease by 1%, reported profits in Baltic countries increase by 2.3%, indicating profit-shifting behaviour. This is in line with the empirical literature and practices applied by multinational corporations. It is also in favour of anti-tax avoidance measures introduced by the EC to be adopted by Baltic and other EU countries.

Research background: Recent financial crisis of 2007–2008 has influenced global banking system and led to reduction of cross-border bank lending in the EU and worldwide. Global banking network has been analysed extensively in prior or post-crisis periods, but the literature on regionalization is scarce, especially with regard to the banking sector in the EU. Moreover, in previous empirical research evaluation of banking sector regionalization using network analysis methodology has not been yet applied. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to map the EU banking network and to assess its regionalization during post-crisis period. Methods: the paper employs comparative literature analysis and synthesis; BIS bilateral interbank cross-border claim yearly flows matrix data and network analysis method (including network mapping, structural and comparative analysis and the data of intraregional and interregional banking network matrices) to assess the changes in regionalization of the EU banking system. Findings & Value added: The results of the research show that during post-crisis period both, EU 12 and EU 28, banking networks became more clustered and more decentralized; also the level of regionalization within the EU banking network increased. Such results prove that the EU banking network has undergone structural changes with respect to bilateral interbank cross-border claims. This research adds to the knowledge of regionalization processes within the EU banking network during the post-crisis period and intends to be beneficial for market participants, EU level governmental bodies and financial policy makers.

The paper is aimed to analyze and evaluate the dividend announcement impact on stock prices of companies listed on the NASDAQ OMX Baltic market during 2010-2015. The analysis was performed using the market model event study analysis and calculating AARs based on 3 strategies, which assume that investors buy shares 30 days prior to the dividend announcement and sell them either 1, 3 or 7 days after the dividend announcement. During the research period, dividends were paid by 40 out of 72 companies listed on the NASDAQ OMX Baltic. A total of 168 dividend announcements have been made and analyzed in this paper. The results of the research revealed that within the analyzed event windows, positive AARs exist; however, they are not statistically significant. Positive AARs obtained 3 or 7 days after the dividend announcement imply that stock prices do not drop shortly after the dividend announcement, which would indicate weak NASDAQ OMX Baltic market efficiency.

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