https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/109071 2026-04-05T02:31:32Z 2026-04-05T02:31:32Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/109593 2023-05-19T05:18:09Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Tourism in Malta : a taxation perspective Abstract: Purpose: This study looks into inbound tourists’ knowledge and perceptions of the tax burden of tourism-related taxes in Malta, as well as their willingness to pay such taxes based on their sociodemographic characteristics and tripographic profiles. The study's goal is to obtain a better understanding of tourists’ perspectives on tourism-related taxes. Design: In order to collect the primary data, a quantitative methodology was used. A questionnaire-based research instrument was developed to target respondents that had spent at least one night in Malta as tourists. Findings: Most of the tourists were more aware of the VAT on tourism related services than the eco-contribution. Additionally, the majority believe that the tax burden on restaurants is the greatest and that lowering the taxes would result in a higher budget allocation for restaurants. The majority of the inbound tourists deemed that the current ad quantum method as the most equitable method of calculating the eco-contribution and were generally willing to pay a mean of €1.44 per night for the eco-contribution on accommodation, with income and expenditure per night being statistically significant factors determining this. Moreover, 74.1% of the visitors were also willing to pay more than the current €5.00 maximum ecocontribution per visit. Meanwhile, the tourists indicated that their preferred use of the tourism taxes collected by the government is for the preservation of historical heritage. The findings also reveal the maximum VAT rate that most tourists were willing to pay for tourism-related services; this rate does not exceed 5% for all the service categories studied. Most of the respondents also stated that they would be willing to pay more in taxes to ensure environmental sustainability, mostly for transportation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that there is scope for increasing the eco-contribution and the maximum ceiling provided that the expenditure of the tax revenue collected is earmarked towards the tourists’ preferred choice (i.e., the preservation of historical heritage). A reduction in VAT rates for restaurants and sustainable transportation may be considered after more research is carried out on the economic impact. Value: The study provides policymakers with a new perspective directly from inbound tourists, which should be considered when designing tourism taxation or determining whether there is scope for revising the current tourism taxation landscape. Description: M. Accty.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/109592 2025-11-20T16:21:59Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysing the attitude of Maltese accounting students towards ethics and ethical studies Abstract: Purpose: The main aim of this dissertation is to gain a better understanding of the perception of current University Accounting students about the level of ethical teaching they are experiencing within the University and have experienced in their education prior to University. Also, the study aims to understand what changes need to be made for students to have a better ethical perspective. Design: The objectives of this study were achieved through an online questionnaire that was distributed to a total population (404 University Students). Such a population are currently in the second or third year of their studies within the Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy course as well first- and second-year students within the Master in Accountancy course. Findings: The findings indicate that the main significant difference arising in the responses of the students was based on the year in which the respondents were first exposed to ethical teaching. Moreover, the study shows that although current ethical education is seen to be reasonably efficient, there are still areas which merit improvement; for example, improving the manner in which ethics is currently communicated to students. Conclusions: The study concludes that the earlier students are exposed to ethical teaching the more time they will have to grow a better ethical perspective rather than being bombarded with ethical teaching at University level. Those that were exposed to such ethical education at an earlier stage had a significantly better response across relatively all the questions presented to them in the questionnaire. Value: The study should encourage further changes and developments to be made to the way ethics is delivered to students. There needs to be more importance given to ethical education within the curriculum whilst also finding more interactive ways to deliver the theoretical aspects of ethics teaching. This will encourage students to understand and learn the importance of ethics in their respective profession. Description: M. Accty.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/109590 2023-05-19T05:14:25Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Operating budgets in Maltese SMEs : an analysis Abstract: Purpose: This research explores the general role of operating budgets in Maltese SMEs. Specifically, this study aims to analyse and assess the use of operating budgets by Maltese SMEs for control, performance evaluation, and reward purposes. Design: In order to reach the research objectives, a qualitative research approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-one Maltese SMEs from different economic sectors in Malta. Findings: The research participants confirmed that operating budgets are a good indication of forthcoming revenue and expenses, and that they are used to plan and assess operations. When it comes to the use of operating budgets for control purposes, the findings show that most Maltese SMEs prefer to exercise tight control by frequently reviewing the operating budgets and by having a low tolerance for budget deviations. Maltese SMEs only make use of operating budgets when evaluating the performance of the whole organisation and not for individuals. Despite this, employees are rewarded when the budgeted targets are met. However, this is not done on an individual basis. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the day-to-day use of operating budgets in Maltese SMEs. It particularly highlights the importance of operating budgets for the majority of Maltese SMEs when it comes to their use for control, performance evaluation and rewards. Although operating budgets are crucial for SMEs, they are not the only relevant factor for performance evaluation and rewards, since non-financial factors should also be considered. Value: SMEs are a vital component of the Maltese economy since the majority of businesses are SMEs. This study highlights how important operating budgets are for day-to-day operations. They also aid SMEs in growing and reaching their objectives as well as having a better overall performance. Description: M. Accty.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/109589 2023-05-19T05:13:34Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Emotional intelligence skills in accountancy students and graduates Abstract: PURPOSE: The ever-changing role of the accountant has enhanced the importance of being emotionally intelligent. Therefore, this study evaluates the perceptions of warrant holders and graduates on the extent they consider emotional intelligence important for graduates working in big-four or mid-tier firms, the extent graduates have developed certain skills and the degree to which they should be developed during the University of Malta accountancy programme. Additionally, this study measures accountancy students’ emotional intelligence levels and evaluates whether it increases during course progression. DESIGN: A quantitative approach was implemented, where online questionnaires were distributed to big-four and mid-tier firm warrant holders (n=222), together with recent University of Malta accountancy graduates (n=96), to gain insight into their perceptions on emotional intelligence and graduates’ skills. Another questionnaire was distributed to University of Malta accountancy students (n=302) to measure their emotional intelligence levels. FINDINGS: The majority of respondents agreed that future accountants should possess emotional intelligence skills and perceived such skills as important for graduates employed with big-four and mid-tier firms. Overall, respondents perceived graduates have good development of the skills provided, suggesting that the University of Malta is in a good position in relation to developing certain skills. Respondents considered particular skills to require good development during university. Fifth-year students obtained a greater mean emotional intelligence score than first-year students, possibly indicating that the programme assists in improving students’ emotional intelligence. CONCLUSION: Although it was perceived that graduates have adequately developed certain skills and that such skills require good development at university, strategic maps derived from the Extent and Where Indices indicated that there is still room for improvement in relation to the development of certain skills, given their level of importance in big-four and mid-tier firms. VALUE: This study contributes to local literature by providing UoM accountancy curriculum preparers insight regarding perceived skill development in graduates and accountancy students’ emotional intelligence levels. In this regard, several recommendations were provided. Description: M. Accty.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z