Measuring and Reporting Confiscated Firms’ (Social) Business Value

This study highlights the peculiar aspects of the business valuation process involving firms confiscated from the Mafia organisation, by pointing out some criteria to guide the selection of the appropriate valuation method. We identify some preliminary operational proposals for drawing up an effective valuation report taking social and ethical factors into account. Based on an empirical analysis carried out on a sample of Italian firm valuation reports publicly available, we find that the main business valuation choices are not explained in an in-depth manner and that there are many differences between the valuation reports and the prescriptive content proposed. Theoretical implications may stem from the inclusion of the stakeholder perspective in the business valuation studies. The paper has many practical implications for appraisers because it suggests some operational solutions for the valuation methods and reports of confiscated firms in a stakeholder perspective.