scholarly journals The Presence of Bureaucracy in the Balanced Scorecard

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-224
Author(s):  
Helena Costa Oliveira ◽  
Lúcia Lima-Rodrigues ◽  
Russell Craig

Despite being widely pilloried, bureaucratic processes are present in many organizations as a form of neo-bureaucracy. In this paper, we analyse whether a technique used in Management Accounting Systems (MAS), known as the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), represents a bureaucratic order. We propose the following set of concepts to identify a bureaucratic order: authority, jurisdiction, professional qualifications, knowledge, rationality, discipline, accountability, systematization and transparency. We discuss the presence of such a set of concepts in the design and implementation of the BSC and conclude that the BSC is an example of a neo-bureaucratic order. This paper also underlines another important finding, the value of bureaucracy in attaining good MAS. The theme we explore is overlooked in the accounting literature. This paper can be a starting point for further research. A pesar de haber sido ampliamente criticado, los procesos burocráticos están presente en muchos modelos organizacionales como una forma de neo-burocracia. En este artículo analizamos si una técnica utilizada en los Sistemas de contabilidad de gestión (MAS), conocida como Balanced Scorecard (BSC), representa una orden burocrática. Proponemos el siguiente conjunto de conceptos para identificar una orden burocrática: autoridad, jurisdicción, calificaciones profesionales, conocimiento, racionalidad, disciplina, responsabilidad, sistematización y transparencia. Discutimos la presencia de dicho conjunto de conceptos en la concepción e implementación del BSC y concluimos que el BSC es un ejemplo de un orden neo-burocrático. Este trabajo también subraya otro hallazgo importante, el valor de la burocracia para lograr un buen MAS. El tema que exploramos se pasa por alto en la literatura contable. Este artículo puede ser un punto de partida para futuras investigaciones.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 97-104
Author(s):  
Д. В. Адамов ◽  
М. А. Юхненко ◽  
Є. Р. Богдяж

The article deals with the problems that arise during the implementation of the concept of modern management accounting for Ukrainian enterprises by introducing new accounting systems and developing approaches to accounting and information generalization of transaction costs in order to effectively manage them in the globalized economy. The existing system of introduction of management accounting at enterprises is examined and the introduction of management accounting on foreign examples is considered, namely the balanced system of indicators, which is already actively used abroad and is just beginning its development in Ukraine. The research of this topic is related to the change of accounting information systems in modern conditions and the need to create a global accounting system, and adjustments are made to management accounting functions. The article compares and defines the distinctive features of accounting, and its composition of financial, tax and management accounting. A clear algorithm for the construction of this system at the enterprise and indicators that must be calculated for a complete and independent analysis of the work of the enterprise are distinguished and described. The ambiguous interpretation of the concept of managerial accounting in the course of its evolutionary development has led to the study of this topic. The article presents a system of metrics that are calculated within the Balanced Scorecard system used by the enterprise. The problems of implementing a balanced scorecard based on the experience of corporations already using the system are also discussed. The lack of legal and legislative framework to stimulate and encourage the introduction of this concept into the practice of management accounting in Ukraine leads to the unsatisfactory functioning of this system. According to the results of the research, the recommendations on the introduction of management accounting in the system of economic monitoring of activity in the conditions of globalization are given.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-240
Author(s):  
Nizar Mohammad Alsharari ◽  
Alhashmi Aboubaker Lasyoud

This paper aims to review the relevant literature on the role of management accounting in organizational management. It also compares traditional and new or strategic management accounting and their limitations. It focused on the role of management accounting in the constitution of organizations and the ways in which management accounting systems as structures of intentionality both shape and are shaped by shared norms and understandings. The findings help to understand the concerns of the current mainstream in management accounting literature. In fact, the findings cohere with Hopwood and Scapens and their followers in the sense that management accounting is not a static phenomenon but one that changes over time to reflect new forms and practices. It was also found that management accounting is part and parcel of organizational change. By reviewing a subset of the studies on accounting history published during the period 1980 - 2018, this paper updates accounting history literature by focusing on management accounting research. The paper also contributes to the existing literature by presenting the discussions of management accounting and organizational change. However, other studies can consider this paper as starting point to examine other areas of accounting such as financial accounting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Musinszki Zoltán ◽  
Süveges Gábor Béla

In their study, Relevance Lost: The Rise and Fall of Management Accounting, Johnson and Kaplan concluded that management accounting systems since the 1980s have failed to meet the new challenges of a changing environment. Among other things, because managerial accounting has been subordinated to the needs of financial accounting. Financial accounting cannot provide adequate information to management and does not support strategic decision making. The reason for this can be found in the operational logic of financial accounting. Financial accounting is past-oriented, it evaluates (economic) events in money, and thinks in the short term. Would all this mean that financial accounting data cannot be used to support long-term decisions? In our study, we point out the connection between financial accounting data assets and strategic decision support. Our research question focuses on how financial accounting data, including an invoice issued by a company, can be used in Balanced Scorecard perspectives. Based on the content of the Balanced Scorecard, we want to point out where and what kind of relationship can be observed between financial accounting data assets and the BSC. Through a case study, we will present the strategic goals as well as the indicators suitable for measuring the goals. These will be presented for all aspects of the Balanced Scorecard.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2132
Author(s):  
Andrés F. Ugalde Vásquez ◽  
David Naranjo-Gil

Organizations are increasingly aware of the importance of managing the acquisition processes of new and sustainable knowledge, which allows them to increase performance. These knowledge-acquisition processes require top management teams to focus on the external environment to search for sustainable opportunities and initiatives. This spurs top teams to make strategic decisions that require more comprehensive managerial information, which is provided by management accounting systems. Our research analyzes how top management team composition facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge. Our management accounting paper also analyzes the mediating effect of the interactive use of management accounting systems (MASs) and their impact on sustainable firm performance. A survey was conducted among the main manufacturer firms in the Republic of Ecuador. Results were analyzed by using the partial least squares methodology, and they showed a positive effect for the interactive use of management accounting systems on sustainable knowledge-acquisition processes. Results also showed that knowledge acquisition increased firm performance through an interactive use of MASs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Mohammad Alsharari ◽  
Riyad Eid ◽  
Ali Assiri

Purpose This paper aims to explain institutional contradictions in the balanced scorecard (BSC) implementation process between organizations, which successfully implemented BSC. The purpose of this paper is to identify a comprehensive set of potential determinants influencing the successful implementation of BSC. Design/methodology/approach This study is an exploratory investigation into the BSC implementation based on a dialectical perspective. It uses the triangulation of data collection including interviews, documents and surveys. This also includes a comprehensive scrutiny of the relevant literature; a comprehensive analysis of case studies of BSC implementations in four organizations; and interviews and documents evidences that have already implemented or are in the process of implementing BSC. Findings The BSC was successfully implemented in the organizations, when the accounting systems introduced in these organization had already been institutionalized, that is, accepted and used on day-to-day basis. The dialectical perspective postulates that for change to become institutionalized in the organization, it needs to overcome the problem of embedded agency. This process of change is possible due to the accumulation of institutional contradiction that enables human praxis to introduce change (Seo and Creed, 2002). Research limitations/implications There is a need to empirically test and refine the proposed factors and explore relationships among the various variables by collecting data from organizations that have already implemented BSC. Practical implications The findings of this study are important and relevant to all the different-sized organizations in the different sectors and industries. This study also makes a significant contribution to society in general. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on organizational and accounting change that emphasis the crucial role that institutional contradiction plays in the process of BSC implementation. The findings of this study will help management in making crucial decisions and in resource allocations that are required to make the BSC implementation a success.


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