Finance and Accounting Research Unit (FARU)

Overview

The Finance and Accounting Research Unit (FARU) research reveals the extent to which the corporate sector in the UK and US are delivering financial transformation for shareholder value.

The underpinning research of our group of academics is grounded in accounting and finance, and their work on financialization and business models.

Their work published in top rated international journals. 

Financialization and business models are employed as loose organising concepts to examine the extent to which corporate governance aligns management and shareholder financial interests and how the process of economic development towards increased leverage is undermining financial stability.

Aims of the unit

The aim of FARU has been to progressively consolidate our work on financialization into a unique 'business model' conceptual framework.

We use this framework to explore how contradictions, embedded in stakeholder networks and interactions, impact upon a reporting entity’s financial performance.

Our business model approach has been set out in a series of articles and reports on the viability of business models.

This research work on business models is to be consolidated in a text published by Routledge Business Models Redefined: Strategies for a Financialized World (July, 2012).

Research themes

The unit’s research themes include:

• the nature of business models
• the process of Financialization
• financial strategy and corporate governance
• financial disclosure and reporting

Indicative publications

• Download a list of key publications within FARU.