Management control research in the banking sector

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharusha N. Gooneratne ◽  
Zahirul Hoque

PurposeThis paper aim to review existing research in the management control systems field in the banking industry. It identifies gaps in the existing literature and suggests some directions for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe review was carried out principally by consulting leading accounting journals, followed by other relevant journals covering all publications from the inception of the particular journal to 2010. The published articles are categorized by their research topics, theories, methodologies and settings.FindingsThe review reveals a dearth of detailed studies on management controls in the banking sector. As evident from the sizeable number of descriptive studies, most prior studies do not engage in an in‐depth inquiry into control issues of banks, and most lack clear articulation either theoretically or methodologically. It finds that currently little is known on the concerns encountered by banks and the nature of management control practices deployed.Research limitations/implicationsThis review is selective and, while illustrative of the state of management control research in the banking sector, does not attempt a comprehensive coverage of all research. However, it identifies gaps in the current literature and makes calls for further research on a number of management control issues in the banking industry. Further, in light of the review findings, the paper offers some lessons and insights for practicing managers.Originality/valueAlthough some general reviews on various facets of management accounting across time have been undertaken by past researchers, industry‐based reviews have not been their focus. Through a systematic review of management control research in the banking arena, this paper shows that despite both the significant position occupied by the banking industry in nations' economies and the importance of management controls for banks, there remains a need for researchers to pay adequate attention to exploring control issues in this sector.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujeewa Damayanthi ◽  
Tharusha Gooneratne

Purpose This paper reviews management control literature which draws on the institutional logics perspective as the theoretical lens to understand the current grounding of this perspective on management control research. It identifies gaps in the current literature and offers possible future research directions. Design/methodology/approach For the purpose of this paper, five search engines (ABI INFORM, EBSCO, Emerald insight, JSTOR and Science Direct) were consulted, and 35 papers across 16 journals, which specifically fall within the area of management controls and institutional logics, were reviewed. Findings The review revealed that the institutional logics perspective has provided theoretical anchoring to management control-related areas such as budgeting, performance management and control tools in organizations. The extant studies have either used institutional logics as a single theoretical perspective or have integrated it with other theories such as neo-institutional theory, agency theory and structuration theory. The research settings of the papers span across firm level, industry level and government organizations and non-profit organizations. Most of the studies have used the qualitative case study approach, whereas a few have taken the mixed method research design. Originality/value Although there are a number of review papers in the area of management controls as well as on institutional theory in general, such reviews have not specifically been focused on the institutional logics perspective, which is a significant development within institutional theory, having provided theoretical backing to a wide range of management control studies over the years. Addressing this omission, this paper provides important insights for future researchers on what research has been done using the lens of institutional logics and what else is worth doing. In that sense, this paper contributes to the domain of management control research, as well as to the development of institutional theory in general and the institutional logics perspective in particular.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Chauhan ◽  
Asif Akhtar ◽  
Ashish Gupta

Purpose The objective of this paper is to explore and extend the existing literature on the use of gamification in banking. Design/methodology/approach Gamification is a new concept, further its application in banking is in a nascent stage both from the perspective of research and application. To systematise the limited literature and to draw the future research prospects, studies are presented based on theories, characteristics, context and methodologies framework. Findings The synthesis of the literature on gamification opened to a spectrum of areas to determine the future of gamification in the banking industry. The study emphasises the use of social and psychological theory building in the banking industry. Further, the research on game elements is an underexplored area in the banking domain, while they have well exploited in other contexts. Banking context needs more literature evidence, empirically tested and validated research methods to understand the personality traits and customer behaviour arising from the use of gamification. Practical implications For bank management, this study lays the impact of gamification in this era of digital banking. With the right mix of hedonic and utilitarian elements, bank management shall be able to boost financial literacy, improve saving habits, simplify banking products and strengthen knowledge updates among bank employees. Understanding the key elements and present status of research on gamification and their impact on customer behaviour development is crucial for the bank in building strategic advantage. Originality/value This study on gamification applied explicitly to the banking sector. With no clear application of the elements and mechanics of technology used in gamification, this study presents past literature in a systematised manner and draws the future research agenda of gamification in banking services.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Lill ◽  
Andreas Wald ◽  
Jan Christoph Munck

PurposeThe number of theoretical and empirical research on management control of innovation activities has significantly increased. Existing studies in this field are characterized by a wide dispersion and a multitude of different definitions. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic review of the literature on management control of innovation activities and to synthesize the current body of knowledge.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a systematic review approach, this article reviews 79 articles on management control for innovation activities from 1959 to 2019 and inductively derives a multi-dimensional framework.FindingsThe review of existing studies advances the debate about the detrimental versus beneficial character of management control systems for innovation, showing that the repressing character of control is not inherent to control itself, but emanates from the design of the respective management control system.Research limitations/implicationsThe multi-dimensional framework connects and combines existing research and thus synthesizes the current state of knowledge in this field. Additionally, the framework can guide practitioners to systematically assess context factors and consequences of their management control systems design, and it shows avenues for future research.Originality/valueThe scientific and practical value of this paper is the convergence of the current body of knowledge consisting of various definitions and conceptualizations and the identification of avenues for future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Söderlund ◽  
Magnus Hansson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role and function of visuals, visual communication and information design as they relate to management control systems and visual management (VM) in lean-inspired organisations. This paper helps expand knowledge on how visual and design studies can contribute to research on VM as part of a management control system. Design/methodology/approach A study is outlined, which was conducted at a multinational manufacturing company to investigate employees’ perceptions and use of visual devices on the shop floor, including their related reactions and behaviour. The study is delimited to operation management, lean manufacturing and lean boards (i.e. daily management boards and performance measurement boards). Findings The findings point out the persuasive purpose of lean boards, as well as the metaphoric and persuasive functions of the visuals and information design in management control systems. Originality/value Visual research and design research are rare within studies of management control systems. There is a need to perform research that takes into account the role and function of visual communication and information design in VM. The proposed areas for future research can provide design principles, as well as insights into the complexity of visual communication and information design in VM and management control studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-15

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Evolving industries, the digital revolution and the effect of the global economic crisis has entailed huge challenges for those seeking to implement management control systems. In her article “Organizations with changing structures: how to control?” (2016), author Eva Lechner pulls aside the curtains on a festival organizer and shows that while its time dynamics and culture are very different to most industries, the need for controls still apply, and they can be successfully applied as long as keen attention is paid to their consequences. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Brivot ◽  
Yves Gendron ◽  
Henri Guénin

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into how a constellation of actors seek to define, shape, and reinvent the notion of organizational control at the confluence of social media (SM) and corporate reputational risk. Design/methodology/approach Following the approach suggested by Janesick (1998) and Denzin and Lincoln (1998), the authors undertook an in-depth qualitative analysis of a large number of data sources including interviews, best-selling books by renowned SM specialists, relevant press articles drawn from a Factiva search, and documents published by the Big Four firms and professional accounting institutes in Canada on how organizations should use SM to protect their reputational capital. Findings Four competing SM reputational risk control perspectives inductively emerged from the analysis: the Beyond Control frame, the Subveillance frame, the De-territorialization frame, and the Re-territorialization frame, with large accounting firms and professional accounting institutes especially promoting the latter. Originality/value The control literature has been criticized by many scholars as being in urgent need of updating. By inductively theorizing four original control frames in the SM arena, the research aims to move management control research in new directions.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Feldmann ◽  
Frank Teuteberg

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the banking industry and its hackathon formats, which have been created by various banking groups. Other industries can learn from these findings and adopt best practice solutions. Design/methodology/approach A multi-case study was conducted with three hackathon formats (Collabothon, GENOhackathon and Symbioticon) from the banking sector in which qualitative interviews with members of the organization team were held and used to summarize the differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry. Findings A model was developed to demonstrate how the different hackathon formats in banking overlap and what differences exist. Originality/value This study used a cross-case analysis to summarize differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry in Germany.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 2353-2366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Agyemang ◽  
Brendan O’Dwyer ◽  
Jeffrey Unerman

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a retrospective and prospective analysis of the themes explored in the 2006 Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal special issue on non-governmental organisation (NGO) accountability. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a reflective review essay. Findings The paper outlines how a number of themes in the 2006 special issue addressing downward accountability, hierarchical accountability and management control have been subsequently developed in a selection of papers from the accounting literature. The development of these themes leads to several suggestions for future research in NGO accountability. Originality/value The paper offers a systematic, original perspective on recent developments in certain areas of the field of NGO accountability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-187
Author(s):  
Shu Hui Wee ◽  
Soon Yau Foong ◽  
Michael S.C. Tse

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a study on relationships between the design of management control systems (MCS), the use of MCS and organisational learning (OL). Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a survey method. A written questionnaire was prepared and mailed out to collect quantitative data. After analysis of the empirical results, follow-up interviews were conducted to develop a deeper understanding of the empirical results. Findings – Findings of the study show that both the design and use of MCS are significantly associated with levels of OL activities in organisations, and the use of MCS is found to be a more influential factor in OL. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the accounting literature by providing empirical evidence on the relative impacts of the design and use of MCS on OL activities in organisations and the interaction between the design and use of MCS in influencing OL.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Herold ◽  
Timo Dietrich ◽  
Tim Breitbarth

PurposeThis study aims to identify and deconstruct bullshit in banks' corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication to advance the management rhetoric research space, which has been characterised by an indifference to truth and meaning.Design/methodology/approachWe provide a typology of bullshit phenomena overview in the banking sector and follow the McCarthy et al.'s (2020) C.R.A.P. framework from to showcase how bullshit can be comprehended, recognised, acted against and prevented.FindingsThis paper puts a spotlight on written and spoken language to detect bullshit in banks' CSR statements. It provides actionable insights into how stakeholders can act against and prevent bullshit statements from occurring in the future.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is warranted to assess the use of still imagery, events and video materials in corporate communications and non-financial reporting. Further rigorous assessment of actual CSR initiatives must be undertaken to assess claimed contributions.Practical implicationsMonitoring mechanisms and independent assurance statements prepared by authorised third parties may strengthen the motivation and ethicality of CSR activities.Originality/valueThis viewpoint is the first to follow the C.R.A.P framework and critically assess indifferences towards truth in banks' CSR communications.


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