Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, Shahroud Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahroud, Iran

2 Professor,, Department of Accounting, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Accounting, Bandargaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandargaz, Iran

5 Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study is evaluation matrix of perspective on the driving forces of legacy accounting. In this study, in terms of the methodological goal, this study is exploratory and from the perspective of the result, it is placed in the category of applied research. The participants in the qualitative part include 12 academic experts and accounting professors who have professional experience in the field of accounting and financial reporting, and in the quantitative part 22 people from managers and board members of companies with the nature of family ownership in this study as a pairwise comparison they participated. The result of this study in the qualitative part indicated the existence of 3 categories, 8 components and 39 themes as drivers of legacy accounting in family ownership, which was confirmed based on Delphi analysis. Then, by choosing 2 factors out of 8 identified components as the basis of scenario creation, 10 themes identified as sub-factors of scenario creation were examined. The result of the acquisition in a quantitative part indicates the existence of 4 scenarios with a favorable situation, which shows that the scenario of the second quarter with the metaphorical title of "Governance Hegemony" was determined to be the most effective driver in the emergence of legacy accounting in family-owned companies.
 Introduction
Family-owned companies always face the assumption of opportunism at the level of the capital market from the point of view of market theorists and analysts, the reason for which is the large number of board members affiliated with the company owner or holding management positions in the decision-making structure of this type of companies (Sun et al., 2023). Assuming the acceptance of such an approach, it can be concluded that the method of financial functions and information disclosure is also done with the aim of covering the priorities of those in power in such a structure. Under such conditions, the violation of the rights of the beneficiaries can be considered the most important consequence of investing in these companies (Rezayee Pitenoei et al., 2021). Legacy accounting, as a term in such a structure with family ownership, can be considered a kind of practice in the shadow or parallel to the main accounting method of companies, which is used by the management of these companies to satisfy their opportunistic needs (De Wolf et al., 2020). In fact, legacy accounting is considered to be the result of a method of information disclosure that systematically prioritizes the interests of those in power over the interests of other shareholders. This is done in order to stimulate new investors to invest in the company's shares on the one hand and maintain the loyalty of current shareholders on the other. Additionally, it is used to secure their interests by providing cash for the development of investment plans and projects (Lloyd et al., 1999).

Literature Review

Legacy accounting aims to secure the interests of the majority of family owners by increasing the cost of minority shareholders, both in terms of money and share value (Wild, 2015). In fact, the interests of the majority of the shares, by increasing the members of family ownership through opportunistic accounting procedures, can deepen the conflict of interest between the internal owners (family owners) who control the company and external shareholders. This conflict of interest in legacy accounting procedures manifests in various ways, such as selling the company's products at a lower price to related people, hiring unqualified family members in the company, increasing the salary and benefits of family members, or showing an increase in tax payment. For example, companies often seek to minimize taxes, but some studies based on the accounting practices of family-owned companies show increased tax payments (Xia et al., 2017), as these companies aim to fulfill their financial obligations and seek to enhance their reputation by promoting social responsibility.

Methodology

When designing the model, it is crucial to consider the execution method, ensuring that the phenomenon under investigation lacks an integrated framework and coordination within the target society, at least in terms of content. Therefore, given the lack of necessary theoretical coherence of the concept of legacy accounting within family-owned companies, as discussed in the theoretical foundations and introduction, this research is categorized as developmental research in terms of the result. The research approach of the current study, in terms of data collection logic, is of a hybrid type. This is because it explores a phenomenon for which there is no comprehensive framework in the theoretical areas of legacy accounting at the level of capital market functions, or where consensus is lacking. Therefore, the analysis of the qualitative part and the reliance on the data theory method are used to present the dimensions of the legacy accounting model as a multidimensional model.
For this purpose, Glaser's (1992) emergent approach is used to develop the legacy accounting model through three stages of coding by using interviews with experts. In this approach, the theory emerges from the data, and researchers do not have presuppositions regarding the relationship between the data from the beginning. Additionally, based on the emergent foundation data theorizing strategy, data analysis begins simultaneously with the interviews (Kolayeanmoghadam et al., 2020). In terms of the purpose, this research fallswithin the category of exploratory studies conducted using both quantitative and qualitative models. The present study employs various research methods to address the formulated questions, tailoring each method to the specific needs of the respective department. Therefore, based on the nature of collection, this study can be classified as mixed research. Thus, different methods are employed for data collection and analysis at each stage of this study's analytical processes.
 

Result

This research, by undertaking through three main steps in the theoretical analysis of foundational data including open coding, selective coding, and core coding, seeks to explore the concept of heritage accounting development based on a theoretical framework. Through 12 interviews conducted across three stages of open coding, central coding, and selective coding, a total of three categories, eight components, and 39 conceptual themes were identified. These dimensions were determined after Delphi analysis to ensure reliability. Next, aiming to formulate future scenarios for evaluating the driving forces behind the development of legacy accounting in family ownership, the most effective axes for this evaluation were determined using the Micmac matrix by identifying the inputs and outputs of the matrix model. As a result, this section confirmed governance opportunism and behavioral opportunism as the primary driving factors influencing legacy accounting in family-owned companies. Subsequently, through the reciprocal matrix, scenarios describing the driving forces in the emergence of this accounting practice were determined.

Conclusion

The term hegemony means the dominance of a group of power holders over others. The extension of this concept to the mechanism of governance refers to the fact that a powerful person as an owner, in an effort to protect their interests, tries to make arbitrary appointments based on the level of loyalty to the person in power. Decisions should be made solely to achieve the goals and visions set by the powerful person. In this governance structure, while the size of the board of directors may adhere to rules and requirements, the absence of conflict of interest and diversity of views within the board compromises its ability to effectively monitor the company's operations, leading to decisions primarily aligned with the owner's objectives. In such structures, the board of directors often lacks the necessary independence to make decisions contrary to the opinions of those in power. Instead, they merely symbolically apply external supervision to maintain market stability. In general, the scenario of hegemonic governance shows the promotion of the dominant values and culture of the power holders in a company, which is a model of the pervasive dominance of their ideas and opinions over the entire company. Additionally, this result indicates that legacy accounting within such a regulatory process serves as an instrumental approach, a lever to advance governance goals in family companies. By selectively disclosing news and information to stakeholders, it seeks to protect the interests of these individuals or the so-called powerful person

Keywords

Main Subjects

dAstrachan, C.B., Astrachan, J. H., Kotlar, J., Michiels, A. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). Addressing the theory-practice divide in family business research: The case of shareholder agreements. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 1‌2‌(1‌), 2‌1‌2‌-2‌3‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.jfbs.2‌0‌2‌0‌.1‌0‌0‌3‌9‌5‌
Aversano, N., Christiaens, J., Tartaglia Polcini, P., & Sannino, G. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Accounting for heritage assets: An analysis of governmental organization comment letters on the IPSAS consultation paper. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 3‌3‌(2‌/3‌), 3‌0‌7‌-3‌2‌2‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/IJPSM-1‌2‌-2‌0‌1‌8‌-0‌2‌7‌5‌
Baek, H.Y., Cho, D.D., & Fazio, P.L. (2‌0‌1‌6‌). Family ownership, control and corporate capital structure: An examination of small capitalization public firms. Journal of Family Business Management, 6‌(2‌), 1‌6‌9‌-1‌8‌5‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JFBM-0‌2‌-2‌0‌1‌5‌-0‌0‌0‌6‌
Buchanan, B., Martikainen, M., & Nikkinen, J. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). Family firm competitiveness and owner involvement. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 2‌4‌(2‌), 2‌6‌0‌-2‌8‌1‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JAAR-1‌1‌-2‌0‌2‌1‌-0‌3‌1‌7‌
Chi, Y-L. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). The agency costs of family ownership: Evidence from innovation performance. Journal of Banking & Finance, 1‌4‌8‌(2‌), 1‌-1‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.jbankfin.2‌0‌2‌2‌.1‌0‌6‌7‌3‌7‌
Chrbel, S., Elie, B., & Georges, S. (2‌0‌1‌3‌). Impact of family involvement in ownership management and direction on financial performance of the Lebanese firms. International Strategic Management Review, 1‌(1‌/2‌), 3‌0‌-4‌1‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.ism.2‌0‌1‌3‌.0‌8‌.0‌0‌3‌
De Wolf, A., Christiaens, J., & Aversano, N. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Heritage assets in the due process of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). Public Money & Management, 1‌2‌(1‌), 1‌-1‌2‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌8‌0‌/0‌9‌5‌4‌0‌9‌6‌2‌.2‌0‌2‌0‌.1‌7‌2‌7‌1‌1‌4‌
Derluguian, G. & Earle, T. (2‌0‌1‌0‌). Strong chieftaincies out of weak states, or elemental power unbound", Berg Harpviken, K. (Ed.) Troubled Regions and Failing States: The Clustering and Contagion of Armed Conflicts (Comparative Social Research, Vol. 2‌7‌), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, 5‌1‌-7‌6‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/S0‌1‌9‌5‌-6‌3‌1‌0‌(2‌0‌1‌0‌)0‌0‌0‌0‌0‌2‌7‌0‌0‌6‌
Dyer, G. W., & Whetten, D, A. (2‌0‌0‌6‌). Corporate Social Responsibility and Family Business in Spain. Journal of Business Ethics, 5‌6‌(1‌), 2‌7‌–4‌1‌.
Gupta, M, P., & Bhatia, D. (2‌0‌0‌5‌). Reworking with a Legacy Financial Accounting System: Lessons from a Pharma Company. Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, 3‌0‌(3‌), 1‌1‌1‌-1‌3‌4‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌7‌7‌/0‌2‌5‌6‌0‌9‌0‌9‌2‌0‌0‌5‌0‌3‌0‌7‌
Hope, O, K. (2‌0‌1‌5‌). Large shareholders and accounting research. China Journal of Accounting Research, 6‌(1‌), 3‌-2‌0‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.cjar.2‌0‌1‌2‌.1‌2‌.0‌0‌2‌
Hyytinen, A., Ilmakunnas, P., Johansson, E., & Toivanen, O. (2‌0‌1‌9‌). Heritability of lifetime earnings. The Journal of Economic Inequality, 1‌7‌(2‌): 3‌1‌9‌-3‌3‌5‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌0‌7‌/s1‌0‌8‌8‌8‌-0‌1‌9‌-0‌9‌4‌1‌3‌-x
Jong, L., Ho, P, L., & Elliott, C. (2‌0‌1‌8‌). Inside the family firms: The impact of family and institutional ownership on executive remuneration. Cogent Economics & Finance, 6‌(1‌), 1‌0‌7‌-1‌2‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌8‌0‌/2‌3‌3‌2‌2‌0‌3‌9‌.2‌0‌1‌8‌.1‌4‌3‌2‌0‌9‌5‌
Lloyd, A, D., Dewar, R., & Pooley, R. (1‌9‌9‌9‌). Legacy Information Systems and Business Process Change: A Patterns Perspective, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2‌(2‌4‌), 6‌7‌-8‌9‌.
Mehta, N.K., Bhattacharyya, S.S., & Pandey, N. (2‌0‌2‌2‌). Empirical investigation regarding ethical decision making: a stakeholder cross-impact analysis (SCIA), International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 3‌8‌(3‌), 4‌4‌4‌-4‌6‌4‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/IJOES-0‌7‌-2‌0‌2‌1‌-0‌1‌4‌9‌
Pascucci, F., Domenichelli, O., Peruffo, E. & Gregori, G.L. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). Family ownership and the export performance of SMEs: the moderating role of financial constraints and flexibility, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 3‌(1‌), 9‌1‌-1‌1‌4‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JSBED-0‌3‌-2‌0‌2‌1‌-0‌1‌1‌3‌
Porter, S., & Pentz, M. (2‌0‌1‌3‌). Accounting and conflict resolution in Ireland, Journal of International Education in Business, 6‌(2‌), 1‌2‌2‌-1‌3‌5‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JIEB-0‌5‌-2‌0‌1‌3‌-0‌0‌2‌3‌
Quinn, M., Hiebl, M., Mazzotta, R., & Veltri, S. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Accounting for family and business overlaps, Journal of Management History, 2‌6‌(2‌), 2‌4‌9‌-2‌7‌6‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JMH-0‌4‌-2‌0‌1‌9‌-0‌0‌3‌2‌
Reddy, K. & Wellalage, N, H. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). Effects of family ownership and family management on the performance of entrepreneurial firms. Research in International Business and Finance, 6‌5‌(1‌), 1‌-2‌1‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.ribaf.2‌0‌2‌3‌.1‌0‌1‌9‌7‌7‌
Saurabh, K. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). Sources of incentive and entrenchment effects in family firms: balancing self-dealings with operating efficiencies. International Journal of Managerial Finance, 1‌0‌(2‌), 1‌-2‌1‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/IJMF-0‌6‌-2‌0‌2‌2‌-0‌2‌5‌7‌
Setiawan, D., Bandi, B., Kee Phua, L., & Trinugroho, I. (2‌0‌1‌6‌). Ownership structure and dividend policy in Indonesia. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 1‌0‌(3‌), 2‌3‌0‌-2‌5‌2‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/JABS-0‌5‌-2‌0‌1‌5‌-0‌0‌5‌3‌
Sun, J., Pellegrini, M.M., Dabić, M., Wang, K., &Wang, C. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). Family ownership and control as drivers for environmental, social, and governance in family firms. Review of Managerial Science, 4‌(1‌), 1‌1‌1‌-1‌3‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌0‌7‌/s1‌1‌8‌4‌6‌-0‌2‌3‌-0‌0‌6‌3‌1‌-2‌
Ullah, I., & Ali, A. (2‌0‌2‌2‌). Government Accounting in Pakistan: transition from a Legacy system to the New Accounting Model. Accounting History Review, 3‌2‌(2‌/3‌), 1‌7‌3‌-1‌9‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌8‌0‌/2‌1‌5‌5‌2‌8‌5‌1‌.2‌0‌2‌2‌.2‌1‌3‌7‌5‌3‌6‌
Vandenbergh, M, P., & Shewmake, Sh. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). The Pandemic Legacy: Accounting for Working-From-Home Emissions, Vanderbilt Law Research Paper, Ecology Law Quarterly, Forthcoming, 2‌(2‌): 2‌1‌-1‌0‌. http://dx.doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌1‌3‌9‌/ssrn.3‌7‌9‌6‌3‌2‌7‌
Vural, D. (2‌0‌1‌8‌). Disclosure Practices by Family Firms: Evidence from Swedish Publicly Listed Firms. Accounting in Europe, 1‌5‌(3‌), 3‌4‌7‌-3‌7‌3‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌8‌0‌/1‌7‌4‌4‌9‌4‌8‌0‌.2‌0‌1‌8‌.1‌4‌7‌9‌5‌3‌1‌
Wang, F., Wang, X., Li, B., & Liu, Y, S. (2‌0‌2‌3‌). Ownership structure and eco-innovation: Evidence from Chinese family firms. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 8‌2‌(1‌), 3‌6‌-5‌5‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌0‌1‌6‌/j.pacfin.2‌0‌2‌3‌.1‌0‌2‌1‌5‌8‌
Widodo, H., Hanun, N. R., & Wulandari, R. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Accounting Treatment for Heritage Assets: A Case Study on Management of Pari Temple. Journal of Accounting and Investment, 2‌1‌(1‌), 7‌4‌-8‌9‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌8‌1‌9‌6‌/jai.2‌1‌0‌1‌1‌3‌8‌
Wild, S. (2‌0‌1‌5‌). Accounting for Heritage, Cultural and Community Assets – Alternative Metrics from a New Zealand Māori Educational Institution. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 7‌(1‌), 3‌-2‌2‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌4‌4‌5‌3‌/aabfj.v7‌i1‌.2‌
Xia, C., Cao, C., & Chan, K. C. (2‌0‌1‌7‌). Social Trust Environment and Firm Tax Avoidance: Evidence from China. The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, 4‌2‌(2‌), 3‌7‌4‌-3‌9‌2‌.
Zhou, L. (2‌0‌1‌4‌). Social responsibility and employees’ organizational identification in Chinese family firms: Influence of family ownership and family commitment, Chinese Management Studies, 8‌(4‌), 6‌8‌3‌-7‌0‌3‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.1‌1‌0‌8‌/CMS-1‌1‌-2‌0‌1‌2‌-0‌1‌5‌9‌
Baghoomian, R., Rajabdorri, H., & Khanizolan, A. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). Relationship between Financial Report Readability and Stock Return Synchronicity with the Moderating role of Institutional Ownership and Information Asymmetry. Empirical Studies in Financial Accounting, 1‌8‌(7‌1‌), 5‌7‌-8‌6‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌0‌5‌4‌/qjma.2‌0‌2‌1‌.4‌1‌2‌7‌7‌.1‌9‌9‌6‌ [In Persian]
Rezaei Pitenoei, Y., Gholamrezapoor, M., Kazemi, S. P., & Amirniya, N. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). Investigating the Moderating Role of Family Ownership on the Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Tax Avoidance: Testing the Theory of Socioemotional Wealth and Agency Theory. Financial Accounting Research, 1‌3‌(1‌), 4‌5‌-6‌6‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌1‌0‌8‌/far.2‌0‌2‌1‌.1‌2‌5‌0‌9‌2‌.1‌6‌7‌5‌ [In Persian]
Arab, R., Gholamrezapoor, M., Amirnia, N., & Kazemi, S. P. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). CEO Power, Family Ownership and Audit Fees: Analysis of Alignment and Entrenchment Theories. Empirical Studies in Financial Accounting, 1‌8‌(7‌0‌), 1‌6‌7‌-1‌9‌3‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌0‌5‌4‌/qjma.2‌0‌2‌1‌.5‌2‌4‌3‌2‌.2‌1‌5‌4‌ [In Persian]
Ghaderzadeh, S. K., & Alavi, S. M. (2‌0‌2‌1‌). Tax Avoidance: Social Responsibility and the Moderator Role of Family Ownership. Journal of Accounting Knowledge, 1‌2‌(3‌), 1‌1‌1‌-1‌2‌8‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌1‌0‌3‌/jak.2‌0‌2‌1‌.1‌6‌7‌0‌0‌.3‌3‌5‌9‌ [In Persian]
Kalalian Moghadam, H., Maharti, Y., Ashrafi, M., & Khorakian, A. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Identifying Effective Factors on the Recognition of Opportunities for Creating Social Value in Iran: Glaserian Grounded Theory. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Social Sciences, 1‌7‌(1‌), 1‌4‌1‌-8‌7‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌0‌6‌7‌/social.2‌0‌2‌1‌.2‌9‌5‌6‌9‌ [In Persian]
Mohamadi, M. (2‌0‌2‌0‌). Quality of Financial Reporting, Family Ownership, and Investment Performance in Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. Journal of Accounting and Social Interests, 1‌0‌(3‌), 1‌5‌7‌-1‌8‌4‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌0‌5‌1‌/ijar.2‌0‌2‌0‌.2‌7‌9‌4‌7‌.1‌5‌3‌9‌ [In Persian]
Namazi, M., & Mohammadi, M. (2‌0‌1‌1‌). An Investigation of the Earnings Quality of Family Firms and Non-family Firms in Tehran Stock Exchange. Journal of Accounting Advances, 2‌(2‌), 1‌5‌9‌-1‌9‌4‌. https://doi.org/1‌0‌.2‌2‌0‌9‌9‌/jaa.2‌0‌1‌1‌.3‌4‌1‌2‌ [In Persian]