Accounting - Research Publications

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    Speculation and e-commerce: The long and the short of IT
    Ferguson, C ; Finn, F ; Hall, J ; Pinnuck, M (Elsevier BV, 2010-06-01)
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    The differential use and effect of knowledge-based system explanations in novice and expert judgment decisions
    Arnold, V ; Clark, N ; Collier, PA ; Leech, SA ; Sutton, SG (SOC INFORM MANAGE-MIS RES CENT, 2006-03)
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    An Empirical Examination of Goals and Performance-to-Goal Following the Introduction of an Incentive Bonus Plan with Participative Goal Setting
    Anderson, SW ; Dekker, HC ; Sedatole, KL (INFORMS, 2010-01)
    Prior research documents performance improvements following the implementation of pay-for-performance (PFP) bonus plans. However, bonus plans typically pay for performance relative to a goal, and the manager whose performance is to be evaluated often participates in setting the goal. In these settings, PFP affects managers' incentive to influence goal levels in addition to affecting performance effort. Prior field research is silent on the effect of PFP on goals, the focus of this paper. Using sales and sales goal data from 61 stores of a U.S. retail firm over 10 quarters, we find that the introduction of a performance-based bonus plan with participative goal setting is accompanied by lower goals that are more accurate predictors of subsequent sales performance. Statistical tests indicate that increased goal accuracy is attributable to managers “meeting but not beating” goals and to new information being impounded in goals. We further investigate how differences among managers are associated with goal levels. We find significant “manager effects” but no “supervisor effects.” In additional tests we find that cross-sectional differences among managers are related to differing marginal returns to slack-building effort. Turning to the role of new information on goals, we find that prior period performance has incremental power to explain goal levels in the postplan period. Our results provide field-based evidence that PFP and participative goal setting affect the level and accuracy of goals, effects that are associated with both information exchange and with managers' incentives to influence goals.
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    Towards an integrated view of IT value measurement
    Davern, MJ ; Wilkin, CL (Elsevier BV, 2010-03-01)
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    Why did they do that? Variability in routine transactions
    Davern, MJ ; Wilkin, CL ; Shoib, G (EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2009)
    Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a frank reflection on the authors' journey in applying social theory to understand the routine use of a transaction‐processing system in a rich field context. Design/methodology/approach Inspired by a perplexing initial observation, the program of research moved quickly from one of more traditional positivist methods (experiments and surveys) to case study research. The case study involved observation and comparative analysis of the routine use of a reservation system across a large franchised accommodation chain. Findings As a reflective essay, the key findings relate to the research process itself. The essence of the findings is that applying social theory is itself a social process. Originality/value The paper finds that insight can come from understanding the routine use of IT as a social artefact, not just from studying crises or latest innovations.
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    State Control, Legal Investor Protection, and Ownership Concentration: Evidence from China
    Wu, S ; Xu, N ; Yuan, Q (WILEY, 2009-03)
    ABSTRACT Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: To control for the omitted‐variables and aggregation biases problem existing in previous cross‐country studies, our paper investigates the relationship of ownership concentration and legal investor protection across regions and over time in one emerging economy, China, during the period 1992 to 2003. Moreover, this paper examines whether state control affects this relationship. Research Findings/Results: For state‐controlled firms, we cannot find the typical inverse relationship between ownership concentration and legal investor protection documented by La Porta, Lopez‐de‐Silanes, Shleifer, and Vishny (1998), since state per se works as a substitute for formal legal investor protection in protecting property rights by exploiting political power. However, for non‐state‐controlled firms, the inverse relationship does hold. Theoretical Implications: Our findings suggest that the nature of the controlling shareholder should be taken into account when examining the relationship between ownership concentration and legal investor protection. Moreover, our findings give new insights, especially to the study on other emerging economies that share similar characteristics with China in terms of legal development and government control. Finally, the cross‐region study within one country provides a new perspective on the research in this area. Practitioner Implications: First, to provide a level playing field for different types of investors, the state's dual role of controlling shareholder and political power holder should be separated. Second, it is important to build up a good legal system to protect investors in order for a country to develop its capital markets, especially for the development of the non‐state sector.
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    Top Management Turnover: An Examination of Portfolio Holdings and Fund Performance
    Gallagher, DR ; Nadarajah, P ; Pinnuck, M (SAGE Publications, 2006-01-01)
    We examine the performance and portfolio characteristics of actively managed equity funds impacted by top management turnover. Utilizing a unique database of monthly portfolio holdings, our study finds that, post-replacement, previously poor performing funds experience improved returns. However, this improved performance is not attributable to superior stock selection skill. We also find these new managers decrease the fund's reliance on momentum strategies and decrease the portfolio's concentration, which then leads to a reduced tracking-error volatility. Prior to the replacement event, underperforming investment managers exhibit preferences for larger, growth-oriented stocks, as well as riding momentum strategies and increasing portfolio turnover.
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    Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential A comment on Vaivio (2008)
    Lillis, A (EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD, 2008)
    Purpose This paper's purpose is to provide a commentary on “Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential,” a paper by Juhani Vaivio. Design/methodology/approach The approach is to draw on alternative research paradigms to expand the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting. Findings The paper endorses many of the prescriptions in Vaivio but expands the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting to recognize the blurred boundaries with field research more generally, and to be more inclusive of qualitative field research from a positivist/functionalist perspective. Similarly, the need for qualitative research to challenge textbook, economics and consulting representations of management accounting is acknowledged, but the range of catalysts is expanded to highlight the potential for qualitative research building on both qualitative and quantitative extant research. This paper also seeks to broaden the discussion of legitimate study design characteristics and data collection methods, and to stress the importance of matching research design with research question. Originality/value The paper stresses the value of pluralism and inclusiveness in both methodological and method choices.