...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1176-6093.htm Research in management accounting innovations An overview of its recent development Nur Haiza Muhammad Zawawi Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia and School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, and Management accounting innovations 505 Zahirul Hoque School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia Abstract Purpose – The purpose of paper is to present a review of the literature on management accounting innovations (MAIs). Specifically, it explores recent developments in research on MAIs and offers suggestions for future research. The review differs from existing reviews by its specific focus on MAIs and the recent time period covered. In this paper, MAIs refer to the adoption of “newer” or modern forms of management accounting systems such as activity-based costing (ABC), activity-based management, time-driven ABC, target costing, and balanced scorecards. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a review of findings from journal articles published in 22 notable accounting journals. Findings – The review finds that research on MAIs has intensified during the period 2000-2008, with the main focus on exploring the extent to which a host of organizational and environmental factors influence the implementation and use of MAIs in organizations. In addition, research...
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...Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2003 1 Implementing performance measurement systems: a literature review Mike Bourne* and Andy Neely Centre for Business Performance, School of Management, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK E-mail: m.bourne@cranfield.ac.uk *Corresponding author John Mills and Ken Platts Centre for Strategy and Performance, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK Abstract: Currently, there is a great interest in performance measurement with many companies attempting to implement the balanced scorecard. However, there is also evidence that many of these implementations are not successful. This paper reviews the different performance measurement system design processes published in the literature and creates a framework for comparing alternative approaches. The paper then proceeds to review the literature on performance measurement system implementations and concludes that the performance measurement literature is at the stage of identifying difficulties and pitfalls to be avoided based on practitioner experience with few published research studies. This paper is the first of two, the second going on to consider performance measurement implementation from the point of view of the change management literature. Keywords: Performance measurement; management process implementation. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Bourne, M., Neely, A., Mills, J. and Platts...
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...CFOs role in the diffusion of management control systems 29 May 2015 CFOs role in the diffusion of management control systems Abstract Purpose – this paper aims to review the literature on CFOs and their role in diffusing management control systems. Design/methodology/approach – this paper identifies 41 studies from leading academic journals and evaluates 7 of these studies, which deal with CFOs role in diffusing management control systems. The author analyze both research design and actual findings in the field. Findings – The analysis finds that even though characteristics such as education and tenure is shown to have an effect on the innovation of management control systems, there are also contradictions on which characteristics have a significant effect which opens for further research on the subject. Originality/value – the author synthesize the findings and derive a future research agenda. Keywords – CFO, management control systems, upper echelons, literature review Paper type – literature review 1. Motivation Recent papers (Burkert and Lueg, 2013; Hiebl, 2014) suggests that CFOs have become more powerful in recent years and that they are responsible for the diffusion of management control systems across organizations. To examine the role of the CFO in diffusing management control systems, I review literature with a focus on upper echelon characteristics of CFOs and management control systems, which will allow me to clarify the influence CFO characteristics...
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...JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH Volume Fifteen 2003 pp. 95–116 Practice Developments in Budgeting: An Overview and Research Perspective Stephen C. Hansen The George Washington University David T. Otley Lancaster University Wim A. Van der Stede University of Southern California Abstract: Practitioners in Europe and the U.S. recently have proposed two distinct approaches to address what they believe are shortcomings of traditional budgeting practices. One approach advocates improving the budgeting process and primarily focuses on the planning problems with budgeting. The other advocates abandoning the budget and primarily focuses on the performance evaluation problems with budgeting. This paper provides an overview and research perspective on these two recent developments. We discuss why practitioners have become dissatisfied with budgets, describe the two distinct approaches, place them in a research context, suggest insights that may aid the practitioners, and use the practitioner perspectives to identify fruitful areas for research. INTRODUCTION udgeting is the cornerstone of the management control process in nearly all organizations, but despite its widespread use, it is far from perfect.1 Practitioners express concerns about using budgets for planning and performance evaluation. The practitioners argue that budgets impede the allocation of organizational resources to their best uses and encourage myopic decision making and other dysfunctional budget games....
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...Journal of Accounting and Economics 31 (2001) 255–307 Empirical research on accounting choice$ Thomas D. Fieldsa, Thomas Z. Lysb,*, Linda Vincentb b Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163, USA Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA Received 21 January 2000; received in revised form 31 January 2001 a Abstract We review research from the 1990s that examines the determinants and consequences of accounting choice, structuring our analysis around the three types of market imperfections that influence managers’ choices: agency costs, information asymmetries, and externalities affecting non-contracting parties. We conclude that research in the 1990s made limited progress in expanding our understanding of accounting choice because of limitations in research design and a focus on replication rather than extension of current knowledge. We discuss opportunities for future research, recommending the exploration of the economic implications of accounting choice by addressing the three different reasons why accounting matters. r 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. JEL classification: M41 accounting Keywords: Capital markets; Accounting choice; Voluntary disclosure; Accounting judgments and estimates; Earnings manipulation $ We are grateful for comments received from Ronald Dye, participants of the 2000 Journal of Accounting and Economics conference, the editors Ross Watts and Douglas...
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... Vol. 1, No. 1, June, 2010 2010-023X 103 Abstract—Nowadays the business world is changing at a faster and faster pace. The reasons given for this is globalization, highs information technology (IT) investments and the rapid pace of technological change. Organizations are responding in different ways and at different rates to the wide range of IT based opportunities and pressures. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the effects of IT related organizational changes on the management accounting function and to contribute to the body of knowledge about to what extent IT affects the ability to solve accounting tasks. The relationship between IT and accounting practices was investigated qualitatively using six case studies and we will measure the impact of IT on accountants’ tasks. The findings suggest a tendency for change and the decentralization of accounting tasks. Index Terms—Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Financial Documents, Information Technology, Management Information System. I. INTRODUCTION Nowadays the business world is changing at a faster and faster pace. The reasons given for this is globalization, highs IT investments and the rapid pace of technological change in combination with escalating costs of research and development (Frishamar, 2002). The role of information technology (IT) has shifted over the last decades (Teng & Calhoun, 1996) to become an important part of how companies manage and control their resources. Organizations...
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...International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance, Vol. 1, No. 1, June, 2010 2010-023X Information Technology roles in Accounting Tasks – A Multiple-case Study Maria do Céu Gaspar Alves Abstract—Nowadays the business world is changing at a faster and faster pace. The reasons given for this is globalization, highs information technology (IT) investments and the rapid pace of technological change. Organizations are responding in different ways and at different rates to the wide range of IT based opportunities and pressures. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the effects of IT related organizational changes on the management accounting function and to contribute to the body of knowledge about to what extent IT affects the ability to solve accounting tasks. The relationship between IT and accounting practices was investigated qualitatively using six case studies and we will measure the impact of IT on accountants’ tasks. The findings suggest a tendency for change and the decentralization of accounting tasks. Index Terms—Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Financial Documents, Information Technology, Management Information System. I. INTRODUCTION Nowadays the business world is changing at a faster and faster pace. The reasons given for this is globalization, highs IT investments and the rapid pace of technological change in combination with escalating costs of research and development (Frishamar, 2002). The role of information technology...
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...Financial Management & Control – IM07CC CEMS Dr. Marcel van Rinsum Associate Professor RSM Erasmus University Department Accounting & Control mrinsum@rsm.nl Introduction Financial Management Control Systems (FMCS) form the bridge between the organization’s strategy and its operations. Their purpose is to align managerial behaviour and decision making with organizational goals. Although management controls are typically embedded in the organization’s financial management and accounting systems, their design and use should be based on a thorough understanding of how managerial behaviour is influenced by typical control system elements, such as target setting, performance measurement and rewarding. Indeed, while the proper design of management control systems is paramount for organizational performance, organizational failure can often be attributed to poor design of the organizations management control system. Such poor design may result from a limited understanding of the drivers of managerial behavior in complex organizations. Our challenge thus lies in understanding what are crucial design elements of control systems, what design options are feasible, and how the design and use of control systems should match the organizational context in which they operate. This understanding, rather than the straightforward arithmetic often associated with financial management, forms the core of this course. Course design in a nutshell This course consists of a combination of lectures, articles...
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...Accounting is the disciplinary technology which enables the prioritising of the financial above all other considerations (Loft 1991). As the focus of a business is on profit, prominence must be placed on the circumstances in which the finances exist. However, as this literature review will highlight, there is more to operating and maintaining a business than money – the human aspect should never be underestimated and can never be eliminated. The emphasis of this literature review examines, quite fittingly, some of the works written on management accounting, a topic which gives credence to both the financial and the behavioural aspects of an organisation. It hones in on monetary costs and the need for control on and from management to ensure the longevity of the organisation. Management accounting defined The inherent difference between the two main types of accounting is in the usage of information. Ultimately, the different uses and users of the information mean that each type incorporates different techniques, which also set the two apart. However, Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield (2011) capture the essence of the separateness in their definitions of the terms: Financial accounting is the process that culminates in the preparation of financial reports on the enterprise for use by both internal and external parties. (p. 5) whereas Managerial accounting is the process of identifying, measuring, analysing, and communicating financial information needed by management to plan...
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...136 Positive Accounting Theory and Science JCC Journal of CENTRUM Cathedra ™ Positive Accounting Theory and Science by M. Humayun Kabir Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Abstract This paper examines the development of positive accounting theory (PAT) and compares it with three standard accounts of science: Popper (1959), Kuhn (1996), and Lakatos (1970). PAT has been one of the most influential accounting research programs during the last four decades. One important reason which Watts & Zimmerman (1986) have used to popularize and legitimize their approach is that their view of accounting theory is the same as that used in science. Thus, it is important to examine how far accounting has been successful in imitating natural science and how the development of PAT compares with the three standard accounts of science. This paper shows that accounting could not emulate the success of natural science. Further, the methodological positions of PAT conform to none of the standard accounts of science. Rather, PAT contains elements of all three. Finally, this paper identifies some methodological gaps in PAT. Keywords: Positive Accounting Theory, Philosophy of Science, Methodological Controversies Acknowledgements I would like to thank two anonymous reviewers of the journal for their helpful comments. Earlier versions of this paper benefited from comments from Lee Parker of the University of South Australia, Keith...
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...Uncertain Supply Chain Management 2 (2014) 61–72 Contents lists available at GrowingScience Uncertain Supply Chain Management homepage: www.GrowingScience.com/uscm Sustainable accounting reporting practices of Indian cement industry: An exploratory study Shagufta Khana , Vineet Chouhanb*, Bibhas Chandrac and Shubham Goswamib a Research Scholar, School of Management, Sir Padampat Singhania University, Udaipur-India Assistant Professor, School of Management, Sir Padampat Singhania University, Bhatewar, Udaipur-India, 313601 c Associate Professor, School of Management, Sir Padampat Singhania University, Bhatewar, Udaipur-India, 313601 b CHRONICLE Article history: Received September 10, 2013 Received in revised format 10 December 2013 Accepted February 25 2014 Available online February 27 2014 Keywords: Cement Industry Sustainability Financial Information Environment Accounting Reporting Sustainable Reporting Practices ABSTRACT Cement is the single most important and profitable product in the building material sector. With the economic boom, in India, Indian cement industry is a market of opportunities waiting to be tapped. However, at the same time cement industry is also experiencing a surge in demand. Production of Cement will always release carbon dioxide and change in the climate of the earth that is why despite its profitability, the cement industry faces many challenges regarding environmental concerns and sustainability issues. In order to minimize the impact of all...
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...An Analysis of Accounting Ethics Anna Aspras ACC 770 Proposal Hunter College INTRODUCTION Ethics refers to the discipline that deals with the bad and the good and also with the moral duties as well as moral obligations (Stolowy and Breton 2004). As Weidmann and Lenzen (2006) points out, ethics entails doing the right thing. Accounting ethics is mainly in the area of applied ethics and at the same time, it is also a part of business ethics as well as human ethics. It is worth pointing out that the kind of work that is always carried out by the auditors, as well as the accountants generally needs very huge ethics levels (Stolowy and Breton, 2000). The shareholders of the firms, the potential shareholders, as well as the other people who use the financial statements that are prepared by the accountants generally depend on the annual financial statements of the firms given that they are capable of using the information in making highly informed decisions concerning investments. At the same time, they depend on the accountants’ opinion and the verification of the financial statements by the auditors in order to make sure that the financial statements are giving a true, as well as a fair view of the firm (Weidmann and Lenzen, 2006). It is worth pointing out that the knowledge of ethics is capable of helping the accountants, as well as the auditors to overcome various kinds of ethical dilemmas, and this generally ensures that the correct choice is made though it might not be of benefit...
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...Corporate Social Responsibility and Accounting - A Literature Review Master thesis in Financial Accounting Fall semester 2012 Supervisor: Kristina Jonäll Author: Ulla-Christel Götherström Abstract Master Thesis in Financial Accounting, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, fall semester 2012 Author: Ulla-Christel Götherström Supervisor: Kristina Jonäll Title: Corporate Social Responsibility and Accounting - A literature review. Background and problem: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an area which has gained much attention the last 10-15 years. To satisfy various stakeholders, corporate social responsibility has increased its importance and often constitutes a substantial part of the firms´ financial reports, in spite of the fact that there are no legal requirements. However, to perform strategic CSR-reporting has become more or less compulsory for firms. The research question is: What research has been performed in the area of corporate social responsibility and accounting? Aim: The aim is to provide a structured overview of the literature in the area of corporate social responsibility and accounting regarding the years 2002-2012. The overview will provide a basis for future research and constitute a framework for focused research question. Delimitation: The focus of this study is on research published in scientific journals from 2002 until 2012. Method: A literature review was performed including peer-reviewed papers...
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...Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal Corporate social reporting and reputation risk management Jan Bebbington Carlos Larrinaga Jose M. Moneva Article information: Downloaded by University of Strathclyde At 07:57 17 October 2014 (PT) To cite this document: Jan Bebbington Carlos Larrinaga Jose M. Moneva, (2008),"Corporate social reporting and reputation risk management", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 21 Iss 3 pp. 337 - 361 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09513570810863932 Downloaded on: 17 October 2014, At: 07:57 (PT) References: this document contains references to 70 other documents. To copy this document: permissions@emeraldinsight.com The fulltext of this document has been downloaded 10839 times since 2008* Users who downloaded this article also downloaded: Jeffrey Unerman, (2008),"Strategic reputation risk management and corporate social responsibility reporting", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 21 Iss 3 pp. 362-364 Carol A. Adams, (2008),"A commentary on: corporate social responsibility reporting and reputation risk management", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 21 Iss 3 pp. 365-370 Pekka Aula, (2010),"Social media, reputation risk and ambient publicity management", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 38 Iss 6 pp. 43-49 Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by 117974 [] For Authors If you would like to...
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...Volume 3 Number 1 2004 Accounts Manipulation: A Literature Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework by Hervé Stolowy, HEC School of Management (Groupe HEC), Department of Accounting and Management Control, 1, rue de la Libération, 78351 - Jouy en Josas Cedex, France and Gaétan Breton, Université du Québec à Montreal, Department of Accounting Sciences, P.O.B. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3P8 - Canada Abstract Accounts manipulation has been the subject of research, discussion and even controversy in several countries including the USA, Canada, the U.K., Australia, Finland and France. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature and propose a conceptual framework for accounts manipulation. This framework is based on the possibility of wealth transfer between the different stakeholders, and in practice, the target of the manipulation appears generally to be the earnings per share and the debt/equity ratio. The paper also describes the different actors involved and their potential gains and losses. We review the literature on the various techniques of accounts manipulation: earnings management, income smoothing, big bath accounting, creative accounting, and window-dressing. The various definitions of all these, the main motivations behind their application and the research methodologies used are all examined. This study reveals that all the above techniques have common elements, but there are also important differences...
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