The usefulness of the added value statement : a review of the literature

Abstract

The increased incidence of publication of the value added statement in South Africa does not seem to be supported by evidence substantiating its usefulness. This study sets out to determine whether sufficient evidence on the usefulness of the statement, from the perspective of the users, exists. A review of the local and international literature revealed 23 studies using empirical tests or surveys to obtain evidence of usefulness. Despite some contradictory claims, the results indicate that on the whole the studies reported in the literature do not demonstrate sufficient evidence of usefulness from the perspective of the users of the value added statement.