Accounting tools
Zahra Masoumi Bilondi; Maryam Sadat Tabatabaeian; Nasrin Yousefzadeh
Abstract
In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the adoption of information technology (IT) in organizations, particularly in the field of internal auditing. Integrating IT tools and systems into traditional auditing practices is a key driver for improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy ...
Read More
In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the adoption of information technology (IT) in organizations, particularly in the field of internal auditing. Integrating IT tools and systems into traditional auditing practices is a key driver for improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy of internal audit processes. This study aimed to explore the challenges, barriers, and solutions for IT integration in the internal auditing processes of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. A qualitative approach was adopted, and data were collected in 2024 through interviews with 18 internal audit experts. Thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. The findings revealed that the primary challenges and barriers to IT integration in internal auditing were organizational limitations, technical constraints, auditors' perceived barriers, and insufficient training. To address these issues, the following solutions were proposed: promoting a culture of IT adoption, organizational commitment to implementing new technologies, providing the necessary infrastructure, and reinforcing employees’ training and IT-related skills.IntroductionIn recent years, the role of technology in organizations, particularly in internal auditing, has become increasingly critical. It is now essential for improving processes and ensuring accountability in today’s digital environment (Mohd Noor & Mansor, 2019; Ronkko et al., 2018). Traditional auditing approaches, which rely on manual work and paperwork, are both time-intensive and resource-heavy (Eulerich et al., 2021). Adopting technology in internal auditing is crucial for several reasons. First, technology can simplify auditing processes by automating repetitive tasks, giving auditors more capacity to focus on important areas such as risk evaluation (Al-Hiyari, 2019). Second, it can enhance the precision of audits by processing complex data and minimizing errors, resulting in higher-quality reports (Jaber & Abu Wadi, 2018). Third, using technology enables real-time access to data, allowing auditors to monitor financial activities and compliance more effectively (Mohd Noor & Mansor, 2019). This study examines the challenges and potential approaches to introducing technology into internal auditing in companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. It seeks to answer the question: What challenges and approaches do experts identify for integrating technology into internal auditing?Theoretical Background and Literature ReviewDavis’s (1989) Technology Acceptance Model explains two factors that influence whether people adopt new tools: how useful they believe the tools will be and how simple they are to use. These factors shape the decisions of internal auditors when considering new technologies (Radner & Rothschild, 1975). Ease of use refers to how much effort a person expects will be needed to work with a system. For auditors, this includes whether the tools are straightforward, easy to learn, and well-supported. Integrating technology with traditional auditing practices offers opportunities for improvement, such as making processes faster, more accurate, and more effective. However, studies show that despite these advantages, technology adoption in auditing has not progressed as expected in Iran. While some research has explored the reasons behind this slow uptake, there is little analysis of the specific challenges and solutions involved. This study aims to fill that gap by examining these issues and providing recommendations.Research MethodologyThis research is qualitative and uses thematic analysis. It is a cross-sectional study carried out in 2024. The participants included internal auditors from companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, selected using the snowball sampling method. The reliability of the interviews conducted in this research, calculated using the above formula, is 77%. Since this value is greater than 60%, the coding reliability of this study is confirmed.Discussion and ConclusionThis study aimed to explore the challenges, obstacles, and approaches to incorporating information technology into internal auditing through an analysis of participant responses. The findings point to several difficulties, including structural issues within organizations, technical challenges, and auditors’ perceptions of technology use. The study also highlights a gap in providing proper training for internal auditors in this area. Despite rapid advancements in technology, companies are not allocating enough resources to prepare their staff. Moreover, since many auditors are older, offering training often requires significant effort and expense. To address these issues, organizations can focus on helping managers and employees better understand the benefits of using technology in internal auditing. Explaining how it adds value to their work and showing clear examples of cost efficiency can reduce resistance. Another important step is creating a workplace environment that encourages fresh thinking and supports the adoption of modern tools. This can inspire auditors to explore and use technology more confidently.
Accounting and various aspects of finance
Shahla Talari; Fatah Behzadian; Mehdi Safari gerayli; Rahman Saedi
Abstract
Changing the nature of behavioral knowledge in the auditing profession from purely classical processes in the development of auditors' functions to philosophical and cognitive processes has increased the quality of work life in this field. The purpose of this study is to present a model of auditors' ...
Read More
Changing the nature of behavioral knowledge in the auditing profession from purely classical processes in the development of auditors' functions to philosophical and cognitive processes has increased the quality of work life in this field. The purpose of this study is to present a model of auditors' psychological well-being and evaluate identified themes in the auditing profession. This study employs an exploratory methodology with analytical elements. Because of the lack of an integrated framework regarding the recognition of auditors' psychological well-being dimensions, we identified the study's themes through 12 interviews and coded them using thematic analysis. Then, using two processes of fuzzy Delphi analysis and classic Delphi, we analyzed the reliability of the organizing and basic themes. In the quantitative part, to explain the themes confirmed from the Delphi analysis stage in the audit professional functions, we applied the fuzzy network analysis. In this study, according to the theoretical saturation point in thematic analysis, 12 accounting experts participated, and in the quantitative part, 30 auditors with more than five years of experience in the auditing profession who had work experience and technical knowledge participated. The results of the study in the qualitative part indicate the existence of three overarching themes, six organizing themes, and 38 basic themes. Also, based on the result of the Delphi analysis, it was determined that from the total of 38 basic themes, 17 final themes were entered into the fuzzy network analysis in the form of six organizing themes, and the findings showed that the most effective organizing theme of psychological well-being in the context of professional auditing functions is the theme of perception stimulation of auditors. Findings also revealed that strengthening the internal locus of control is the most effective aspect of psychological well-being in auditing. 1- IntroductionExpanding behavioral sciences' influence on auditing in recent decades has transformed auditors' traditional approaches and professional roles, enhancing the quality of auditing reports. This is due to the interplay between professional judgment and auditing standards within the auditors' behavioral and cognitive domains. (Zhao et al,2023). A significant development in auditing knowledge is the concept of psychological well-being. Psychological well-being encompasses auditors' emotional and mental states, their overall life and career satisfaction, as well as their mental efficiency and functionality (Broberg et.al, 2020). According to Chen et al. (2022), well-being is closely tied to an individual's perception of their experiences, leading to higher mental satisfaction and more qualified roles in professional responsibilities. In essence, psychological well-being results in positive emotions, a sense of purpose, autonomy, and the ability to form meaningful relationships with others (Mahmoudi and Sajadi Nejad, 2022). Literature ReviewWhen investigating the findings of a study in the field of Disease Psychology, a group of psychologists, guided by Seligman et al. (1999), concluded that despite significant achievements in developing effective therapies, focusing on the causes of diseases, especially mental ones, can lead to a reduction in fatal diseases in society. They aimed to explore the factors contributing to increased productivity in people's lives and embarked on a new cycle of studies to assess individual capabilities. This effort ultimately led to the development of a gradual psychological well-being approach within the domain of positive psychology. Therefore, one prominent focus in recent years has been on psychological well-being, which seeks to redefine the professional life of individuals through the lens of positive psychology (Haghayeghi and Moghaddam Zadeh, 2022). O’Driscoll et al. (2004) were pioneers in formalizing the concept of psychological well-being within the framework of positive psychology. They emphasized the infusion of happiness and satisfaction into personal performance as a fundamental achievement of this concept.On the other hand, Gurel (2009) emphasizes active participation in the professional environment as key to defining psychological well-being. It involves individuals striving to experience positive self-efficacy and creating a balanced career while attributing meaning to their work relationships. Furthermore, Clark et al. (2007) view psychological well-being as an affective state. They assert that motivation in one's job is driven by the happiness and vitality derived from personal performance, which in turn fosters emotional attachment to one's job. Despite varying definitions of psychological well-being, it is evident that a deeper understanding of this concept is essential for greater effectiveness in the profession. MethodologyThe current study serves a developmental purpose and has an exploratory nature in its results. Furthermore, it adopts a combined approach in data collection. Given the lack of a coherent framework in previous studies for the phenomenon under investigation within the auditing profession, our study aims to present a multi-dimensional model using thematic analysis and the approach outlined by Attride-Stirling (2001) across three coding stages and interviews. In other words, in the first stage, it is attempted to present the themes of the auditors’ psychological well-being model in the form of a multi-dimensional model via analyzing the qualitative part and relying on thematic analysis process. The underlying philosophy of our study combines elements of volunteerism in the universe philosophy with structuralism in the philosophy of science. ResultsGiven the inductive and comparative nature of this study, the basic themes of auditors' psychological well-being are identified in the qualitative phase through thematic analysis. The reliability of these themes is then assessed using both Delphi Fuzzy and Delphi Classic analyses. The study proceeds to identify the most influential themes within the auditors' psychological well-being model through network analysis, specifically employing Fuzzy Analytic Network in the field of auditing. Therefore, thematic analysis was used in the first step to determine the themes related to the auditors’ psychological well-being. Thematic analysis serves as an administrative process that examines the foundations and concepts of the current issue through concurrent content analysis in related studies and interviews to define its dimensions. Typology of thematic analysis according to Attride-stirling (2001) is applied in the present study. The results indicated that strengthening the internal locus of control within the auditing profession (C13) is considered the most critical theme in enhancing psychological well-being in the auditing profession. This theme draws attention to bolstering the professional functions of independent auditors. This basic theme is considered among the organizing themes which stimulate the auditors’ perception and pervasive theme of individual mechanisms in reinforcing psychological well-being. DiscussionThe aim of this study is to conduct a network analysis within the auditors' psychological well-being model to define key factors in the auditing profession. Thematic analysis was chosen to present the model since there was no existing theoretical framework for developing the dimensions of psychological well-being in auditors' professional roles in this study. In total, a hexagonal model was constructed, consisting of three overarching themes, six organizing themes, and 38 basic themes. These themes were developed through 12 interviews with experts and three coding stages, guided by the theoretical saturation point, and were introduced as contributing factors to the development of auditors' psychological well-being. Confirming reliability of the organizing and basic themes was required as two important constructs in the presented model in the qualitative part with the purpose of determining the most effective theme in the auditors’ psychological well-being. Through two separate Delphi Fuzzy and Delphi Classic processes, it was initially found that the six organizing themes displayed high generalizability within recognized categories as pervasive themes. Secondly, out of the 38 primary themes, 21 basic themes were eliminated during two rounds of Delphi Classic analysis based on two criteria: mean and agreement coefficient. As a result, 17 basic themes were confirmed and incorporated into the Fuzzy Analytic Network process. ConclusionTwo key results emerged from the prioritization of organizing and basic themes in the analytical process. Prioritizing organizing themes revealed that the most impactful theme on psychological well-being in the field of professional auditing is 'stimulating the auditors’ perception' (C1), with a relative weight of 0.286, placing it at the top of the matrix. Conversely, 'reinforcing internal locus of control' (C13) was identified as the most crucial basic theme for enhancing psychological well-being in the auditing profession, highlighting its potential significance in strengthening the professional functions of independent auditors.
MohammadReza Nikbakht; Mahmoud Ghorbani
Abstract
The occurrence of bankruptcy in the world's monetary systems is highly sensitive, as the systemic risk consequences associated with this phenomenon can have very devastating effects on the monetary and financial system of countries and lead to severe political and security crises. Valuable laws and regulations ...
Read More
The occurrence of bankruptcy in the world's monetary systems is highly sensitive, as the systemic risk consequences associated with this phenomenon can have very devastating effects on the monetary and financial system of countries and lead to severe political and security crises. Valuable laws and regulations have been developed to assess the status and performance of the bank and to warn of the crisis leading to bankruptcy in the world. The situation of some countries, including Iran, is different economically and in other respects. In this study, through interviews with banking experts and thematic analysis, the researchers identified 17 indicators with a high degree of impact on bankruptcy, that five of them are specific to the current conditions of the Iran’s banks. these indicators could be usefully in every suitable ranking model. the proposed quantitative model could be used in case study researches for future research to know the important problems of high high risk banks.
Darioush Akhtarshenas; Ahmad Khodamipour; omid pourheidari
Abstract
Promoting corporate sustainability, as an important strategy for companies, is not a coincidence, but can be improved by identifying and considering different factors. Therefore, identifying the effective factors on corporate sustainability is essential. The purpose of this research is to develop a model ...
Read More
Promoting corporate sustainability, as an important strategy for companies, is not a coincidence, but can be improved by identifying and considering different factors. Therefore, identifying the effective factors on corporate sustainability is essential. The purpose of this research is to develop a model to explain the effective factors on corporate sustainability through exploratory combination approach. In the qualitative part of the research, a model for effective factors on corporate sustainability has been provided by interview with specialists and experts and by using a snowball sampling method based on the thematic analysis of the interviews. In the quantitative part, in order to evaluate the validity of the presented model, by using from questionnaire, opinions specialists and experts were obtained and analyzed by one-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. Also, confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the factor loadings of the indices of each component. The research results showed four dimensions include: company characteristics, management factors, market factors and macro factors, nine components include: structural characteristics, functional characteristics, individual level, organizational level, capital market, business factors, economic factors, social factors and political factors and sixty indicators are affecting on corporate sustainability. In addition to confirming many of identifying factors in previous research, new factors such as community culture, country policy, ethics, legal requirements, corporate social reputation, intellectual capital and product competitiveness have been identified as effective factors of corporate sustainability. The findings have important insights for various stakeholders such as government, legislative bodies, regulatory bodies, companies and researchers. Accordingly, it is recommended to Corporate Audit and the Securities Exchange Organization take the necessary steps for codification corporate sustainability laws and standards.
