Contextual factors moderating the impact of strategic management accounting on competitive advantage

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babajide Oyewo

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of six interrelated contextual factors, namely organisational structure, quality of information technology, business strategy in terms of deliberate strategy-formulation, market orientation, market competition and perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), on the usage intensity of innovative management accounting techniques commonly referred to as strategic management accounting (SMA); the impact of SMA usage on competitive advantage; and the moderating influence of the contextual factors on the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were obtained through a structured questionnaire from publicly listed manufacturing companies on the main board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and moderated regression were used to analyse data. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the validity and reliability of variables as first and second order of analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) (maximum likelihood estimation method) was applied to assess the robustness of result.FindingsMarket orientation and deliberate strategy-formulation emerged as significant determinants of SMA usage intensity. Although there is a significant relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage, the strength of the relationship is moderate. Organisational structure, deliberate strategy-formulation and PEU significantly moderate the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsThe emergence of deliberate strategy-formulation, as both a significant predictor of SMA usage intensity and as the strongest moderator of the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage, establish that it is organisations that take a proactive approach to strategy issues that may derive the most benefit from SMA utilisation.Practical implicationsThe result from this study brings to fore the need to involve management accountants in strategy-formulation and implementation in order to leverage their competence in deploying SMA techniques to enhance organisational competitiveness.Originality/valueThe current study is the first, to the researcher's knowledge, to specifically examine interrelated contextual factors distinctively affecting SMA usage and organisational competitiveness in a developing country. Whilst these six factors have been stressed as important determinants of the adoption of innovative management accounting techniques, the study provides empirical evidence on the extent to which they exert on SMA. The study presents empirical evidence on the relevance of market orientation—a construct which has surprisingly received little research attention in management accounting literature—as a variable which could affect the adoption of management accounting innovation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 913-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeen-Su Lim ◽  
William K. Darley ◽  
David Marion

Purpose The study aims to explore supply chain influence (SCI) on the linkages among market orientation, innovation capabilities and firm performance (FP), using the resource-based view as a theoretical backdrop. Design Survey data from 182 top managers who are involved in strategy formulation and innovative direction of their companies was collected and analyzed using moderated multiple regression analysis. Findings Results revealed a moderating role of the SCI in that the proactive market orientation (PMO) and FP relationship is stronger when SCI is high, and innovation commercialization capability (ICC) and FP relationship is stronger when SCI is low. Practical implications Firms pursuing high PMO strategy must collaborate with supply chain function to achieve the full effect of PMO. Additionally, as supply chain is critical to meeting customers’ needs, these firms should allow supply chain to exert greater influence to enjoy the positive effects of PMO in addition to ensuring full integration into marketing strategy implementation. Also, firms with high ICC need to limit SCI to maximize the benefit of ICC on FP, just as innovation management needs to be cognizant of other functional areas. Originality/value The study investigates the potential moderating role of SCI on the relationships among market orientation, ICC and FP. The study fills a gap in the understanding of the nature and role of supply chain in the marketing–supply chain interaction, and the impact on FP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gajendra Liyanaarachchi

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how building competency in privacy can be used to transform the corporate strategy to generate a sustainable competitive advantage. A novel framework is presented as a guide to redesigning strategy by striking a balance between customer expectation and organizational objectives. In doing so, the paper offers four possible outcomes of accommodation, accumulation, association and affiliation, providing illustrations to each scenario for strategy formulation. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between privacy paradox and corporate strategy was examined through a qualitative research study. The author conducted 30 in-depth interviews on grounded theory methodology investigating customer insights on the nature and extent of privacy protection associated with e-commerce and organizational approach. Findings The customers are dissatisfied with existing data security strategies adopted by firms in protecting privacy. The over-reliance on systems has negatively influenced the communication between the organization and customers, leading to a possible competitive disadvantage. The firms need to redesign privacy strategy shifting from a system-driven approach to providing personalized service. Originality/value This paper presents a novel framework the privacy strategy matrix (PSM), introducing privacy as a strategic expedient in transforming corporate strategy facilitating privacy protection as a metaphor for differentiation. PSM framework provides a standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the corporate strategy in managing privacy manifesting a path toward deriving a sustainable competitive advantage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengzhi Long ◽  
Jing Lin

PurposeThough enormous research studies were conducted on corporate environmental responsibility (CER), few of them could empirically justify how CER helps to improve firm’s competitive advantage and firms are still hesitant to incorporate CER with their business strategy at present. The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically explore how the CER strategy could help the firm to gain competitive advantage in Chinese context, particularly in terms of achieving brand sustainability (BS).Design/methodology/approachIn this study, 310 listed companies in China were chosen as research sample. First, the CER strategies were classified into developing eco-friendly products, adopting EMAS or other eco-management, enhancing the impact of CER through value chain and charitable CER. Second, BS is constructed as two dimensions, i.e. resource-acquisition and consumer impact. Accordingly, this paper analyzed the relationship between CER and BS with regression model analysis, taking account of several moderating and control variables.FindingsThe results indicate that CER strategies have positive effect on BS. Among all CER strategies, developing eco-friendly products and charitable CER undertakings are the most effective ones to promote BS performance. Also, the paper found that the length of time in adopting CER strategy moderates the effect of CER on BS. The empirical evidence proves that CER strategies could enhance the brand value in terms of BS and help the company to gain competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, most of our samples are of the state-owned enterprises, so our assumption might not be applicable to other types of business. Second, corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication is an important factor in the relation between CSR and corporate performance, but it is not taken into account in this study. Third, the difference in industries and ownership in this research is out of concern.Practical implicationsAs this paper has provided empirical evidence to reveal the effectiveness of different CER strategies, firms in China could be more motivated to undertake CER not only for the sake of environment but also for their brand value and competitive advantage. More importantly, this paper could be a valuable reference for the firms in China to choose suitable and effective CER strategies, as proved in this study, to gain competitive advantage in the market.Originality/valueAt first, while public environmental awareness has improved gradually, we introduce the BS concept to explain how the CER strategies affect CCA. This approach gives us another perspective to highlight the relationship between these two constructs. Second, we conducted our research from practical perspective to explore how to apply the CER undertakings as the company’s strategy. Third, we conducted our empirical research in Chinese context, which will enrich the theoretical CER and CSR literature.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abolfazl Amanollah Nejad Kalkhouran ◽  
Bahareh Hossein Nezhad Nedaei ◽  
Siti Zaleha Abdul Rasid

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics and involvement in networks on strategic management accounting (SMA) and, in turn, the indirect effect of SMA on company performance. Design/methodology/approach A model is advanced and tested using partial least-squares path modelling and data were collected from a sample of 121 service small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Findings The results indicate significant and positive relationships between the CEO education and the application of SMA as well as between involvement in networks and SMA. Moreover, it is found that SMA has an indirect effect in relations of CEO education, involvement in networks and company performance. Practical implications SMEs’ leaders may realize their important role in affecting outcomes by their choices, which are in turn affected by their characteristics and activities. Originality/value This study provides an empirical evidence on the impact of two new factors on the SMA by considering contingency theory and upper echelons theory simultaneously for explaining relationships and developing a new model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Rashidirad ◽  
Hamid Salimian ◽  
Ebrahim Soltani

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine the impact of the fit between product-service strategy and sensing capability on novelty, and the potential moderating impact of contextual factors (i.e. technological and market turbulence) on novelty.Design/methodology/approachIn line with the aim of the study, a quantitative approach is adopted and a multi-item scale survey is designed to collect primary data. Using a mixed mode survey, a total number of 491 questionnaires are collected from a sample of UK-based telecommunications firms. Multiple regression is used to test the hypotheses and predict the outcomes.FindingsThe results support the positive contribution of a contingency approach to the study of the impact of the fit between product-service strategy and sensing dynamic capability on novelty. The results also partially confirm the reinforcing impact of technological and market turbulence on novelty.Originality/valueThis study extends research on product-service strategy and sensing capability by adopting a contingency view, which intends to serve two purposes: to complement the existing reductionistic explanations and to explore how the relationship between product-service strategy and sensing capability could create novelty as well as the degree to which this relationship could be moderated in light of the external contextual factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
Christina Verawaty Situmorang ◽  
Arthur Simanjuntak

The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the impact of strategic management accounting, which mediates market orientation and leadership qualities to financial performance.  This research is quantitative descriptive research. Researchers use quantitative descriptive research to uncover the truth about the study's problems. Bbased on the facts and information available obtained directly from the respondent. The types of data used are primary and supporting data. The main data is obtained from respondents with direct interviews of competent respondents. Supporting data isobtained from dokumen Hotel in Medan City. The method used in data collection in the form of interviewing informants who are sources is hotel managers up to employees who work for at least 3 years. The population of this study is all hotels based on the criteria of three-, four- and five-star hotels in the city of Medan and have been established for at least   5 years. The method used is metode purposive sampling, with the number of samples obtained as many as 64 respondents. Based on the results of the study, partially Market Orientation affects Financial Performance through Strategic Management Accounting. And The Quality of Leaders influences Financial Performance through Strategic Management Accounting. Simultaneously Market Orientation and Leadership Quality have a significant effect on Financial Performance. And Market Orientation and Leadership Qualities Affect Financial Performance Through Strategic Management Accounting.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Malca ◽  
Jean Pierre Bolaños ◽  
Jorge Luis Rubio Donet ◽  
Francisco Acedo

PurposeThe objective of this research is to analyse the joint impact of export proactivity and coordination capacity as mediators on the relationship between export market orientation (EMO) and export performance and the relational norms and export continuity as EMO's antecedents.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses structural equation modelling for the analysis of 127 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the agri-export sector in Peru.FindingsThe research demonstrates the mediating role of export proactivity between EMO and export performance and the impact of relational norms as an antecedent of EMO as well as that of export continuity in export performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional study design has certain limitations; thus, longitudinal research is necessary to analyse the evolution of the impact of these variables. Future research should also consider new variables, such as absorptive capacity and institutional distance, in relation to EMO and export performance in emerging markets.Originality/valueThis research paper provides a perspective that is an alternative to the traditional literature related to EMO since coordination capacity and export proactivity have been used as EMO's antecedents. However, in emerging countries, such as Peru, exports are based on comparative advantages. Under this context, it is necessary to analyse export proactivity and coordination capacity as mediators of the relationship between EMO and export performance and the relational norms and export continuity as EMO's antecedents.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelos Pantouvakis ◽  
Maria Karakasnaki

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between market orientation and service quality in the context of shipping companies. Moreover, this study aims to explore the moderating role of risk propensity in the above-mentioned relationship. Design/methodology/approach A research study was carried out on a sample of 255 shipping companies located in Greece. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire from the managing directors or other senior executives. Data were analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, while the hypothesized relationships were determined through regression analyzes. Findings The analysis of the empirical data shows that intelligence generation and responsiveness have a positive and significant impact on the service quality of shipping companies. Also, the findings showed that this relationship is influenced by the degree of risk propensity, revealing, thus its moderating role on the market orientation – service quality link. Originality/value The current study contributes to the literature by examining for the first time the moderating role of risk propensity in the relationship between market orientation and service quality. Additionally, this is the first study that attempts to investigate the way the dimensions of market orientation predict service quality in the context of shipping companies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 756-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odysseas Pavlatos

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between contextual factors, strategic management accounting (SMA) and historical performance in hotels. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey was conducted on a sample of 106 leading hotels in Greece. Findings – The analysis of the survey data indicates that seven contingent factors affect SMA usage in hotels: The seven factors are perceived environmental uncertainty, structure, quality of information system (IS) information, organizational life cycle stage, historical performance, strategy and size. The findings also indicate that lagging performance affects SMA and that this effect is moderated by the perceived environmental uncertainty. Research limitations/implications – Some of the limitations are inherent to the survey method used, such as the use of perceptual measures and the potential of common method bias. Data were collected from the Greek hospitality industry, and consequently, the results may be generalizable only to that population. Practical implications – The accounting professionals and hotel managers will also be benefited, as the study aims to identify the most relevant SMA tools adopted in the hotel industry, as well as the relationship between these tools and other external and organizational factors. Originality/value – This research adds to the current knowledge in management accounting system design in hotels. This paper increases the understanding as to why hotels are more likely to implement SMA. The results provide the first empirical evidence of the relation between SMA usage, organizational factors, external factors and historical performance in hotels.


Author(s):  
Sakhawat Ur Rehman Sahibzada Jawad ◽  
Sadaf Naushad ◽  
Seemab Yousaf ◽  
Zahid Yousaf

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of market orientation on firm performance of software houses and examine the mediating firm innovativeness in the relationship between market orientation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the employees of software houses located in two big cities of Pakistan. Mean, SD, correlation and regression analysis were conducted to check the relationship among variables. Findings Results show that the performance of software houses largely depends on firm innovativeness and market orientation. Research limitations/implications The authors recommend that further studies are required to test the propositions in longitudinal research design for achieving in-depth insights. Practical implications Software houses need to pay more attention toward market orientation and innovativeness. Originality/value It has been observed that software houses pay less attention toward market dynamics. This research discusses an implementation approach based on solid theoretical foundations to achieve the firm performance through market orientation and firm innovativeness.


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