Accounting and various aspects of finance
Gharibe Esmailikia; Mahdis Naseri; Amin Ghanbari
Abstract
In today’s world, a company’s profile is not determined solely by financial issues; rather, there is a growing need to include environmental and social perspectives. Consequently, there has been a rapidly increasing awareness of social and environmental activities, which in recent years has ...
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In today’s world, a company’s profile is not determined solely by financial issues; rather, there is a growing need to include environmental and social perspectives. Consequently, there has been a rapidly increasing awareness of social and environmental activities, which in recent years has been considered under the concept of sustainability performance. According to the contingency theory, the implementation of a sustainability approach can vary significantly depending on an organization’s unique conditions. This theory has had significant implications for management decision-making, as management decisions are influenced by the characteristics of the managers themselves. The purpose of this research is to investigate the moderating role of managers' behavioral dimensions on the relationship between contingent factors and non-financial sustainability performance. Nine research hypotheses were tested and analyzed using the information of 142 firms admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period from 2013 to 2022 (including 1,420 firm-year observations) and using regression. The results indicated a positive and significant effect of firm size on non-financial sustainability performance and a negative and significant effect of environmental complexity and uncertainty on non-financial sustainability performance. No significant relationship was documented between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance. Management optimism strengthens the relationship between firm size and non-financial sustainability performance. In addition, management myopia changes and negates the relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance. However, management optimism does not have a moderating role in the relationship between environmental complexity and uncertainty and the independence of the board of directors with non-financial sustainability performance. Finally, management myopia does not moderate the relationship between firm size, environmental complexity, and uncertainty with non-financial sustainability performance. IntroductionThe business environment for companies is increasingly uncertain and unstable due to many factors, not only financial but also non-financial. The application of contingency theory to sustainability reveals several factors that may influence performance and shape sustainability-oriented practices. In the field of corporate sustainability, this theory guides companies to prioritize sustainability as a dynamic capability to identify new opportunities and threats, leverage relevant opportunities, and adapt to market dynamics. Organizational strategic outcomes and processes are influenced by the managerial characteristics of senior managers. In particular, strategic choices are driven more by behavioral factors than by mechanical optimization. This theory emphasizes that the different characteristics of senior managers affect their strategic and structural decisions, which directly impact organizational performance. Based on this, the aim of the current research is to investigate the moderating role of managers' behavioral dimensions on the relationship between contingent factors and non-financial sustainability performance.MethodologyAccording to its nature, this research is classified as applied, descriptive, and based on regression analysis. The necessary information for the research variables and hypothesis testing was gathered by referring to audited financial statements, independent audit reports, and financial database software such as Rahvard Navin and Tadbir Pardaz. The research data was then compiled in Excel, and used for statistical analysis with EViews software.In this research, the statistical population includes all the companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Considering the conditions, a total of 142 companies (equivalent to 1,420 company-years) were selected, and their data was compiled using Excel software, then summarized, classified, and refined. Based on the objectives of the research, nine hypotheses were formulated as follows:First hypothesis: Firm size has a relationship with the company's non-financial sustainability performance.Second hypothesis: Environmental complexity and uncertainty are related to the company's non-financial sustainability performance.Third hypothesis: Board independence is related to the company's non-financial sustainability performance.Fourth hypothesis: Management optimism moderates the relationship between firm size and non-financial sustainability performanceFifth hypothesis: Management optimism moderates the relationship between environmental complexity and uncertainty with non-financial sustainability performance.Sixth hypothesis: Management optimism moderates the relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance.Seventh hypothesis: Management myopia moderates the relationship between firm size and non-financial sustainability performance.Eighth hypothesis: Management myopia moderates the relationship between environmental complexity and uncertainty and non-financial sustainability performance.Ninth hypothesis: Management myopia moderates the relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance. To test the above hypotheses, the following regression models are used:+(1) +(2)+(3)ConclusionThe increasing pressure to meet sustainability requirements has encouraged companies to implement sustainability programs to monitor and evaluate their processes and the impact of their activities along the value chain. It appears that not only is there a difference of opinion about the definition of corporate sustainability, but there is also ambiguity regarding the implementation of corporate sustainability practices. As a result, a significant diversity in organizations and various approaches to corporate sustainability can be identified. In this context, to enhance the understanding of the implementation of sustainable practices, it is suggested to adopt contingency theory. The aim of the current research is to investigate the role of managers' behavioral dimensions on the relationship between contingent factors and non-financial sustainability performance.The results of the first hypothesis test showed that firm size has a positive and significant effect on non-financial sustainability performance. Since firm size affects the company's strategy, organizational goals, and competitive environment, non-financial performance is also influenced by these factors. Therefore, the larger the firm, the better its sustainability performance. This finding is in line with the findings of Mousanejad et al. (2021) and Yaghoubian et al. (2021).The test of the second hypothesis indicates a negative and significant impact of environmental complexity and uncertainty on non-financial sustainability performance. Non-financial sustainability performance, which encompasses diverse aspects of the company's activities such as employees, the role of shareholders, supplier contracts, internal processes, and service quality, is relevant to health indicators. The presence and increase of environmental uncertainty negatively affect the quality of these factors, meaning that environmental uncertainty and complexity reduce non-financial sustainability performance. This result is consistent with the findings of Yuliusman et al. (2023) and contradicts the findings of Yaghoubian et al. (2021).In the third hypothesis, no significant relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance was documented. This finding can be explained by the fact that several factors, including the specific characteristics of companies, can affect the relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability. Therefore, no significant relationship between these two variables was found in the companies studied.In the fourth hypothesis, the moderating role of management optimism, as one of the behavioral dimensions of managers, was investigated in the relationship between firm size and non-financial sustainability performance. The findings indicate a positive effect of management optimism on this relationship. In other words, management optimism strengthens the relationship between firm size and non-financial sustainability performance.The fifth and sixth hypotheses examined the moderating role of management optimism on the relationship between complexity, environmental uncertainty, and board independence with non-financial sustainability performance. The findings showed that management optimism does not moderate the relationship between environmental uncertainty, company complexity, and board independence with non-financial sustainability performance.The moderating role of management myopia on the relationship between contingency variables and non-financial sustainability performance was investigated in the seventh to ninth hypotheses. The findings indicate that management myopia does not moderate the relationship between firm size, complexity, and environmental uncertainty with non-financial sustainability performance. However, regarding the relationship between board independence and non-financial sustainability performance, management myopia, as a moderating variable, has changed the direction of the relationship, resulting in a negative effect of board independence on non-financial sustainability performance. In other words, management myopia leads to reduced attention to non-financial sustainability performance under conditions of greater managerial independence, thereby degrading this performance.رابطه بین عوامل اقتضایی و عملکرد پایداری غیرمالی؛ نقش
Accounting and various aspects of finance
Gharibe Esmailikia; Raha Mohtasham
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been increasing pressure on governments to improve their performance, and in this regard, the importance of achieving sustainable performance has doubled. The effectiveness of the accounting information system in public sector institutions plays an important role in achieving ...
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In recent decades, there has been increasing pressure on governments to improve their performance, and in this regard, the importance of achieving sustainable performance has doubled. The effectiveness of the accounting information system in public sector institutions plays an important role in achieving sustainable performance. However, the effectiveness of accounting information systems cannot achieve sustainable performance alone due to rapid changes in the world economy. Based on this, there is a growing demand to create a framework of evaluation that is suitable with the characteristics of the public sector organization for directing, managing and evaluating performance towards achieving sustainable performance. Public sector scorecard for measuring performance, is a strategic, result-oriented and multi-dimensional model. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between the adoption of the public sector scorecard, the effectiveness of the accounting information system and sustainable performance in the public sector. The statistical population of the research was the financial employees of the governmental offices of Bushehr city, which was determined using Cochran's formula as a sample of 168 people, 175 questionnaires were distributed in 15 governmental offices, and finally 124 completed questionnaires were received and analyzed using structural equations. Data collection was done using Huy and Phuc (2020) questionnaire and data analysis was done using Smart PLS software. The findings showed that the adoption of the Public sector scorecard has a positive and significant effect on the effectiveness of the accounting information system, i.e. data input system, data processing system, data storage system and financial statement system. In addition, the effectiveness of the four components of the information system has a positive and significant effect on sustainable performance.IntroductionThe financial perspective provides a clear picture of the long-term goals of for-profit companies, however, in public sector organizations, this perspective acts as a constraint, not a goal (Kaplan, 1999). The public sector scorecard model is one of the best models used to measure and manage performance in the public sector (Shorvarzi etal, 2011). Accounting information system is considered as a lever to support the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational operations as well as management operations (Huy&phuc, 2020).Due to rapid changes in the global economy, the effectiveness of the accounting information system alone cannot lead to sustainable performance. Based on this, there is a growing demand for an evaluation framework that seems to be appropriate to the characteristics of public sector institutions in order to position, manage and evaluate the functions of the accounting information system in order to achieve sustainable performance. Based on this, adoption the Public sector scorecard is considered a suitable solution for this matter.Research Question(s)The main questions in this research are as follows:Does public sector scorecard adoption has an effect on the effectiveness of accounting information systems (based on its components)?Does the effectiveness of accounting information systems (based on its components) have an effect on sustainable performance in the public sector?Literature ReviewThe limitations of financial resources have caused public sector organizations to continuously review their activities, manage costs, evaluate performance and adopt mechanisms for continuous improvement (Shorvarzi etal, 2011). With the aim of integrating the service improvement and performance management framework used in the public sector, the public sector scorecard was created by Moullin (2017). Balanced scorecard is more than a simple performance evaluation system and can be an important strategic management accounting tool to simplify and transform the organization's mission and strategy (Rashid, 2020). With the aim of improving and promoting accounting performance in order to create useful information for decision-making, accounting information system is a coordinated combination of data input system, data processing system, data storage system and financial statement system. The effectiveness of the accounting information system can only be achieved when each of the mentioned systems can function effectively (Huy&phuc, 2020). The effect of public sector scorecard adoption on the effectiveness of the four components of the accounting information system was considered in four hypotheses. In order to achieve financial and non-financial performance, the accounting information system creates value added for users in terms of providing financial information for planning, control and decision making. Accounting information systems of organizations can improve non-financial performance in the long term and contribute to the sustainable development of the organization. In this regard, the impact of the effectiveness of the accounting information system on sustainable performance was formulated in four hypothesesMethodologyThe statistical population of the research was the financial employees of the governmental offices of Bushehr city, which was determined using Cochran's formula as a sample of 168 people, 175 questionnaires were distributed in 15 governmental offices, and finally 124 completed questionnaires were received and analyzed using structural equations. Data collection was done using Huy and Phuc (2020) questionnaire and data analysis was done using Smart PLS software.ResultsThe results of the eight research hypotheses are presented in Table 1.DiscussionThe findings showed that the adoption of the Public sector scorecard has a positive and significant effect on the effectiveness of the accounting information system, i.e. data input system, data processing system, data storage system and financial statement system. In addition, the effectiveness of the four components of the information system has a positive and significant effect on sustainable performance.ConclusionAccounting information systems play an important role in the activities of organizations, so the special proposal of the research is the need to pay serious attention to the various components of the accounting information system and focus on improving Its effectiveness. Since accounting information systems must measure performance in all aspects, not just the financial aspect, one of the factors affecting this issue is the use of the Public sector scorecard, which can improve the effectiveness of the accounting information system.Sustainable performance requires increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations by taking into account all sustainability factors, so it is suggested to achieve performance sustainability in the public sector in different ways, including paying attention to information prerequisites by providing hard infrastructures. Hardware and software are important, therefore, putting in the agenda to improve the effectiveness of the accounting information system of the public sector through integrated information management can lead to improved performance and in the same direction sustainable performance.
gharibe esmailikia; farshad sabzalipour; manzar bagharizadeh; mehdi omidi
Abstract
New public management is an evolving phenomenon and accounting has played a central role in its reforms. The investigations have shown that accounting reforms have fallen short of expectations and this cannot be simply related to the technical design of accounting tools. Understanding and implementing ...
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New public management is an evolving phenomenon and accounting has played a central role in its reforms. The investigations have shown that accounting reforms have fallen short of expectations and this cannot be simply related to the technical design of accounting tools. Understanding and implementing public-sector accounting reforms require looking at accounting as a social and human practice rather than a technical device. So this research aims to investigate the impact of public sector accounting reforms on accountants’ identity by focusing on the Actor-Network-Theory. The statistical population of the present research is all the employees of accounting and finance departments in the governmental agencies of Ilam city. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 113 people is determined. The data of 121 completed questionnaires are analyzed by SPSS using chi-square and t-test. The result has shown that the reforms have not been implemented in accordance with the four stages of the process of forming the Network of Actors; in other words, unified and cohesive actors networks have not been created. Also, according to the literature, four types of identities are identified among accountants. The largest number of them is Ascendant Accountant. Accounting innovations may imply the design and study of technical features, but the success of their implementation requires attention to the human dimension. Disregarding this dimension will have serious adverse consequences such as increased stress, weakening of motivation, morale, illness, and even tangible negative effects on employee identities, which lead to a low level of acceptance of the reforms and even its limited impact.