Harmonizing management accounting in international subsidiaries: beyond national borders

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Endenich ◽  
Andreas Hoffjan ◽  
Teresa Schlichting ◽  
Rouven Trapp
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
International Business ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Strategy Implementation ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Management Accountants

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore if and how companies strive for a harmonization of management accounting systems in their international business units to support company-wide consistent strategy implementation and to analyze the underlying drivers and pitfalls. Our paper is motivated by the tension between the need for consistent strategy implementation in the different international business units of multinational companies and the traditional differences in management accounting practices across countries. Design/methodology/approach – The field study comprised semi-structured in-depth interviews with management accounting experts in selected German and Spanish business units of 15 major German multinational companies. Findings – The authors identified strong efforts for company-wide harmonization of management accounting practices and found that beside explicit initiatives set by corporate headquarters, more implicit pressures such as the education of management accountants, the work of global consultancies and the use of standardized ERP-systems constitute strong drivers of the identified harmonization. Practical implications – The findings highlight implicit pressures as important drivers of the harmonization of management accounting systems in the international business units of multinational companies. Taking these implicit pressures into consideration can help multinational companies striving for a harmonization of business unit management accounting for consistent strategy implementation. Originality/value – Building on a unique sample of pairs of German and Spanish business units of 15 major German companies, the field study explores harmonization practices and its drivers in multinational companies.

Management accounting systems effectiveness, perceived environmental uncertainty and enterprise risk management: evidence from Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Muneer Abu Afifa ◽  
Isam Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Enterprise Risk Management ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
Systems Effectiveness ◽  
Perceived Environmental Uncertainty ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to investigate the direct relationship between management accounting systems effectiveness (MASE) and enterprise risk management (ERM). In addition, it aims to investigate the interaction (moderating) effect of each of the four informational characteristics of MASE and each of the three components of perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) on ERM, using empirical evidence from the developing country's Jordanian market. Design/methodology/approach The study population includes all Jordanian companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange at the end of 2019, and the study sample consists of all these companies (complete surveying – census population). This study chooses a quantitative method through a survey design approach using questionnaire as the best method for data collection. Findings The summation of the relationship and interaction effects (moderation) examined by this study are as follows: three of the four informational characteristics of MASE, namely, a broadness of scope, an aggregation and an integration, have a positive direct relationship with ERM. The characteristic ‘timeliness’ has non-significant negative relationship with ERM. Additionally, the interaction (moderating) effect of higher levels of two informational characteristics of MASE, namely, a timeliness and an aggregation and higher level of perceived competitor uncertainty, will result in a higher ERM implementation. Research limitations/implications The results of this study have significant ramifications for numerous companies, administrators and interested parties, as they may allow them to build and sustain effective accounting processes for management. These results support adopting sophisticated management accounting systems (MASs) instead of traditional systems in the companies to help them in improving the information quality and control levels, as well as reducing the risks by implementation of ERM. In addition, to ensure that companies are confronted with the environmental factors they face. The results of the present study will enable administrators to develop a deeper understanding of such management accounting systems. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study of Jordan to investigate the relationship between MASE and ERM, moderated by PEU. As such, the study raises significant findings, drawing attention to MASs and their role in Jordan.

Management accounting systems, enterprise risk management and organizational performance in financial institutions

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Zaleha Abdul Rasid ◽  
Che Ruhana Isa ◽  
Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Enterprise Risk Management ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
And Control

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the linkages between management accounting systems (MAS), enterprise risk management (ERM) and organizational performance by examining MAS information characteristics that match ERM implementation and joint effects of MAS and ERM on organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach – The research method involved administering a questionnaire to 106 financial institutions (FIs) in Malaysia. The respondents were chief financial officers or staff members holding the most senior positions in the finance department of the institutions. Findings – The significant findings on the association between ERM and MAS show that implementation of ERM requires the use of sophisticated MAS information. ERM and MAS complement each other as both are integral to decision making, planning and control in an organization. The finding also substantiates the important role of ERM in enhancing non-financial performance. Research limitations/implications – This study covered only MAS as part of sub-control systems in an organization. Future studies could investigate the link between a more comprehensive management accounting and control system and ERM. Furthermore, this study used perceptual measures of MAS, ERM and organizational performance. Practical implications – The regulating body should promote best management practices of sophisticated MAS and ERM among FIs as these practices will create competitive advantage as well as help those institutions comply with regulations. Originality/value – This study has contributed to the body of knowledge on the linkages between MAS, risk management system and organizational performance.

How Top Management Teams Use Management Accounting Systems to Implement Strategy

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Naranjo-Gil ◽  
Frank Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Management Accounting ◽  
Firm Strategy ◽  
Top Management Teams ◽  
Strategy Implementation ◽  
Management Teams ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Management Accounting Systems

In this paper we investigate how top management teams (TMTs) use management accounting systems (MAS) for strategy implementation. Consistent with upper echelon theory we argue that professional and administrative TMTs differ in their use of MAS, which in turn affects the implementation of strategic policies. We extract three dimensions of MAS use from extant research on the MAS-strategy relationships. We further distinguish between sets of strategic objectives aimed at cost reduction and flexibility enhancement as part of an overall firm strategy. Hypotheses are developed and tested in a survey study among 884 TMT members in all 218 general hospitals in Spain, forming 92 complete TMTs. Overall, we find systematic differences between professional and administrative TMTs in their use of MAS and its effects on strategy implementation. In a secondary analysis, we explore whether the observed differences in the use of MAS are consistent with the coercive-enabling framework recently introduced into the management accounting literature. We find considerable support for the validity of this framework in our sample. Overall, the paper contributes to the growing literature on the role of MAS in supporting strategy implementation. We extend this literature by explicitly recognizing the role of TMT composition in both strategy implementation and the use of MAS and by providing evidence of the validity of the coerciveenabling framework of MAS in a cross-sectional analysis.

Management accounting systems to support stressing events: evidence from the food sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Truant ◽  
Laura Broccardo ◽  
Francesca Culasso ◽  
Demetris Vrontis
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study analyses how family-run businesses operating in the Italian food sector faced the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that affected the global economy, with the support of management accounting systems.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is based on a survey questionnaire conducted on Italian family firms involved in food business. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed.FindingsThis study categorised the companies into three groups, according to their long-term orientation and the use of management accounting tools. The results highlight proactive versus passive companies that emphasise various recovery paths from the perspective of performance.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations refer to the attention on a single country and the sample size.Practical implicationsThe main practical implication refers to management at different levels that should better understand how a clear long-term orientation can maintain the competitive position and pre-crisis performance.Originality/valueThis study examines the measures launched by companies to address challenges originating from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The alignment between management accounting and lean manufacturing: rhetoric and reality

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Oliveira Fontenelle ◽  
Juliana Keiko Sagawa
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Function Management ◽  
Lean Accounting

Purpose Lean manufacturing (LM) has advocated gains by reducing waste and intensifying continuous improvement. As a holistic organizational policy, it must overpass the limits of the manufacturing function. Management accounting should be aligned to lean thinking, aiming to meet the demands and goals of a lean organization. This paper aims to investigate the degree of alignment between management accounting systems and LM practices. Design/methodology/approach Two representative case studies were carried out in industry leaders in the implementation of LM, in Brazil. The key research constructs and were identified by means of a systematic literature review. The rhetoric and practice concerning the alignment between management accounting and LM are discussed based on the existing theory and the conducted case studies. Findings The analysis showed that many of the principles that form the rhetoric of lean accounting are far from the accounting practices observed in the companies. Using the theory-building function of case studies, 10 propositions to be tested in future research are proposed. The main propositions are also summarized in a framework based on analogies with optical lenses. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, there are no previous in-depth studies focusing on characterizing this alignment between management accounting and LM practices. The analysis yields prescriptive directions for managers that seek to improve this alignment in their business. This study also proposes a five-stage maturity model, which can be used by the managers to assess this alignment and to set goals for reaching more advanced levels of maturity.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of management accounting systems in SMEs: a multidimensional measurement approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-515
Author(s):  
Elsa Pedroso ◽  
Carlos F. Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Management Accounting ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Chief Financial Officers ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Order Construct ◽  
Information Characteristics ◽  
Management Accounting System

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and validate a multidimensional approach to measure the effectiveness of management accounting systems.Design/methodology/approachBased on an extensive literature review, the most appropriate information dimensions were identified. To validate the multidimensional tool, survey data were obtained from 284 chief financial officers of Portuguese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A structural equation model, evaluating the influence on the managerial performance, was used to verify the nomological validity of this new construct.FindingsThe results of this study suggest that the effectiveness of management accounting systems can be measured using a second-order construct. This construct includes 14 items, covering four dimensions of the management information characteristics.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough contributing to the advancement of knowledge, it is, however, limited to the Portuguese organizational environment and culture. Therefore, further studies should be carried out in other organizational contexts and cultures, to test and validate this multidimensional tool.Practical implicationsThe multidimensional tool presented and validated in this study can be used by executives of SMEs for assessing the effectiveness of their management accounting systems, which can help to improve SMEs' performance measurement and benchmarking processes.Originality/valueOn the best of our knowledge, this is the first study wherein the management accounting system is modeled as a second-order construct from the perspective of multidimensional information characteristics. This second-order approach recognizes the contribution and retains the distinctive nature of each first-order construct, representing the management accounting system. This multidimensional construct could be very important for future research by allowing to capture synergies resulting from the balanced development of its four information dimensions, and consequently, offer new contributions to management accounting knowledge.

scholarly journals The role of management accounting systems in the development of intellectual capital

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Casas Novas ◽  
Maria do Céu Gaspar Alves ◽  
António Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of management accounting systems (MAS) in the development of intellectual capital (IC) – i.e. human capital (HC), structural capital (SC) and relational capital (RC) – and the resultant effects on organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to conduct a survey of high-level managers of Portuguese companies. The data collected were analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling with AMOS. Findings Statistical support was found for six out of nine hypothesized relationships. The findings confirm the role of MAS in the development of HC and SC. Results also showed positive and statistically significant relationships between the three dimensions of IC, in line with previous research. Finally, results indicated that SC has a positive and significant link with organizational performance, in keeping with some research. Research limitations/implications The estimation procedure allowed only a partial validation of the proposed model because, although positive, the relationships between MAS and RC, between HC and performance and between RC and organizational performance were not statistically significant. Practical implications The study highlights the role of MAS as information networks that collect, process and communicate information that influences the development of IC, as well as networks of relationships that support the establishment of conditions for the creation and integration of organizational knowledge and the development of IC. Originality/value In this research, an arguably more complete framework of the relations between MAS, IC and performance is developed and empirically tested. Despite the existence of some literature addressing the relationship between MAS and IC, this is the first study, of which authors are aware, that focuses specifically on the relationships between MAS and the three dimensions of IC (HC, SC and RC), as well as their effects on organizational performance.

scholarly journals Management accounting systems: an organizational competitive performance perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1843-1874
Author(s):  
Elsa Pedroso ◽  
Carlos F. Gomes ◽  
Mahmoud M. Yasin
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Competitive Performance ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Competitive Environments

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the characteristics and roles of management accounting systems (MAS) on today’s business organizations and their management, systems, procedures, people, performance and competitive environments.Design/methodology/approachA survey-based methodology was utilized in this research to gather organizational information relevant to the different facets of the MAS and their operational and strategic practices impact on organizations operating under increasingly uncertain and competitive environments. A structural equation modeling approach was utilized to uncover relevant relationships and associations among relevant variables.FindingsThe findings of this exploratory research revealed a direct influence of MAS on the managerial and organizational performance through the managers’ performance. The results also suggest that MAS is directly influenced by users’ training, and satisfaction, task uncertainty and decentralization of decisions. It was also indirectly influenced by top management support. In addition, the findings also revealed a direct influence of the decentralization of decisions on the managers’ and on organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this study addressed important issues that have practical management value, it is limited to a sample from one country. Future studies in different businesses and cultural settings are needed to enhance the theoretical and practical contributions of the findings and conclusions of this study.Practical implicationsThe issues explored in this study are very much relevant to the utilization and design of MAS and their increasing tactical and strategic roles in the management of today’s business organizations. The findings of this study have relevant practical value for managers as they attempt to cope with increasingly competitive environments through the deployment of their existing capabilities and best practices. In this context, the accounting management system has practical utilities that facilitate the control and management of the operations and strategies of the organization.Originality/valueThis research offers practicing management an integrated approach, as they aspire to utilize their organizational MAS to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations. Integrating the different aspects of management accounting information systems, given their impact on the different aspects of the organization, is needed for the establishment of theoretical research models aiming at the enhancement of the competitive performance of today’s organizations. This study also offers to executives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a new multidimensional instrument for assessing the effectiveness of their management information systems, which can help to improve their benchmarking processes.

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