Professional accounting body affiliation in a developing country: the case of membership attraction in Vietnam

Frederique Bouilheres,Paul De Lange,Glennda Scully,Prem Yapa,Brendan O’Connell

doi:10.1080/09639284.2021.1976656

Frederique Bouilheres, Paul De Lange + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2021.1976656

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite studies on the perceptions of benefits and costs of joining a professional body little empirical evidence is available on the deciding factors for joining one specific professional body, let alone multiple ones in an emerging economy. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) theoretical lens, this paper investigates, through surveys, the factors affecting the decisions by final-year university students and associate members to affiliate with one or more professional bodies in Vietnam. This study used a quantitative approach design. Questionnaires were sent to students studying an undergraduate accounting degree in Vietnam (N = 167) and candidates completing the foundations levels of a foreign professional accounting body programme in Vietnam (N = 145). The results show that attitude is the most significant factor in explaining the intentions of accounting students and foundation candidates to affiliate with a professional accounting body while subjective norm is only marginally significant and perceived behavioural control is not significant. The comparison between those who intend to professionally affiliate and those who do not reveal that the main factors affecting the decision are the reputation of the professional body, career and networking opportunities, international recognition, professional status, international mobility opportunities, perceived expertise of members and continuing professional development.

Highlights

Professions and professionalisation have been a focal point of inquiry from a number of perspectives
H1: Foundation candidates and students who have positive attitudes towards affiliating with a professional accounting body are more likely to affiliate with one such body in Vietnam
H2: Foundation candidates and students who perceive normative pressure towards affiliating with a professional accounting body are more likely to affiliate with one such body in Vietnam

Summary

Introduction

Professions and professionalisation have been a focal point of inquiry from a number of perspectives They emphasise ‘the peculiarities of particular professions or the special features of the professions in a particular historical context’ Another approach is to look at the uniqueness of each profession, or its specific characteristics, regardless of time. The latter perspective invariably argues that professions and professionalisation processes have their roots in an almost standardised Anglo-American. Most emerging economies (EEs) set up their own professional bodies and higher learning institutions in the past few decades and they are often under-resourced and have a dearth of expertise. In the cases of non-settler colonies, the setting up of professional bodies was often part of wider, state-sponsored, human resource development programme (Annisette, 2000)

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