The adoption of “Western” management accounting/controls in China's state-owned enterprises during economic transition

Abstract

This study explores the influences on the adoption of “Western” management accounting/control practices by China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This topic is important given the potential for such practices to affect SOE operations in the midst of China's continued privatization programme, and the continued opening of its markets to competition. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers at four SOEs and two of their joint ventures. These interviews indicated increased use of a range of Western management accounting/controls in the SOEs. They also shed light on the factors that influenced the level of adoption. These findings were used to refine a survey instrument for data collection from 82 other SOEs. The survey indicated significant and predicted influences from use of limited-term employment contracts, joint venture experience, stock exchange listing, and the availability of training.