Insights

New research shows that rising optimism in Quebec is feeding into brighter business growth prospects but that bureaucracy is constraining those very same growth plans. The results from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR), a survey of 2,500 senior executives in 34 economies, reveals that despite the roadblocks, businesses in Quebec are focused on incentivising productivity improvement and enhancing sales force effectiveness in a bid to boost growth over the next 12 months.

With momentum building towards the UN Climate Change Conference in Peru, new figures from IBR reveal that businesses leaders in emerging markets are more focused on the sustainability of their operations compared with peers in developed markets.

Investor calls for transparency and the rise of social media have thrust the impact businesses have on the economy, the environment and society more firmly into the spotlight. Drawing on more than 2,500 interviews with business leaders in 34 economies, Corporate Social Responsibility: beyond financials, looks at how companies are responding to this challenge; how they are making their operations more sustainable and what role they feel integrated reporting can play.

Social media is a game changer. Charities looking to engage with a more technology literate audience need to harness the power of this rapidly changing environment.

Tax management within multinational enterprises has never been more challenging. 'Getting to grips with the BEPS Action Plan' is the latest report from our BEPS series exploring the OECD’s planned overhaul of the international tax system, what it means for businesses and how they can prepare.

After more than five years in development the IASB and FASB have at last published their new, converged Standard on revenue recognition – IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’. IFRS 15 replaces IAS 18 and IAS 11 and will affect almost every revenue-generating entity that applies IFRSs. We applaud the two Boards for delivering a converged Standard in this critical area.

The newsletter aims to cover tax developments on a regional and international basis.

The third edition in our 'Future of Europe' series looks at three distinct aspects of the regional business, economic and political landscape: recovery, integration and expansion.

Two in five mid-market businesses around the world either currently outsource a back-office process, or plans to in the near future.

Poland’s economy avoided recession during the 2009 financial crisis,and rebounded strongly in 2010-2011. Poland: dynamism at the heart of Europe.

Polska gospodarka uniknęła kryzysu finansowego w 2009 roku. Po okresie spowolnienia, w latach 2010-2011 powróciła na ścieżkę wzrostu. Polska nie mogła jednak całkowicie uniknąć skutków globalnego kryzysu. Wymiana z Europą stanowi bowiem ponad 80% całego polskiego handlu zagranicznego. Gospodarka rosła więc wolniej w porównaniu do czasu sprzed kryzysu gospodarczego, osiągając w latach 2012 i 2013 tempo około 1,5% rocznie.

The economy expanded by an estimated 4.5% in 2013, the fastest rate since the financial crisis. Oil and gas remain central to the success of the economy – the price of oil remains well above US$100 per barrel and the UAE is thought to have the seventh largest reserves in the world (98bn barrels) – accounting for close to 50% of total exports.

Dynamic businesses at the forefront of M&A activity highlights an increasing importance for M&A in driving growth. There is a clear acknowledgment from the 12,500 businesses surveyed that acquisitions will be needed to supplement existing operations.

24%: that is the proportion of women holding the most senior roles in businesses across the globe.

Developers, property companies, investors and homeowners suffered disproportionately during the financial crisis. But now, finally, expectations for profitability, jobs and orders are all on the rise.

Business leaders remain cautious about their current and future commitment to M&A. However, this year’s results reveal an increased appetite for cross-border acquisitions, which is at its highest level since the IBR first asked this question in 2008.