Institutional Sociology Theory Research Articles

The The Auditing Analytical Procedures at the Beginning and Completion Phases of Engagement Toeing Discourse Analysis

This study examines external auditors lived experiences on the use of the analytical procedure (AP), drawing on interpretative perspective. Interviews of 14 experts conducted with auditors of Big4 firms and the archival data from the International Standards for Auditing (ISA) constitutes the data corpus. What we lose with the apparent number of the interviewee, we gain from the stream of knowledge of the auditors. Methodologically wise, discourse analysis was applied for data analysis. Results showed that in the imagination of the auditors, the use of AP enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit. However, in the day-to-day practice, due to weaknesses in the preparation and review processes, professionals do not find pleasure in it since AP is executed to meet standards. So, drawing on New Institutional Sociology theory, a search for legitimacy justifies this end. Findings raise a concern on what practitioners ought to focus on for evidence gathering. This study advances upon the disposition of the audit work, the real need for the imposition of audit procedures by regulatory bodies, and exposure of the theme in academia. Overall, considering that on this topic, quantitative studies are mostly studied, the originality of this research spans the discourse analysis toeing interpretative perspective.

Factors Affecting the Implementation of Environmental Management Accounting Practices through New Institutional Sociology Perspective: A case of an Apparel Manufacturer in Sri Lanka

The emergence of contemporary business environment and technologies, customer driven business perspective, and transparent and accountable business practices have led different stakeholders to demand information in relation to the management of the environment. Consequently, organizations tend to develop their strategies in line with achieving these financial and environmental performances. The apparel industry is one of the significant contributors in the Sri Lankan economy and it can be seen that Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) is often practiced in this industry. However, it is a matter of consideration for the real reason behind the adoption and implementation of Environmental Management Accounting Practices (EMAPs) in this industry. Accordingly, this study is focused on identifying the actual factors that have influenced a manufacturer in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka to adopt and implement EMAPs with the perspective of the New Institutional Sociology Theory. This study takes a case study approach. Therefore, one of the leading manufacturing companies in the apparel industry was selected as the case company. The primary data were collected through a semi-structured interview and questionnaire survey. The validity of findings was assessed through data triangulation. It was identified that the environmental cost accounting, environmentally induced capital expenditure and revenue are the mostly used EMAPs whereas the payback period method is often applied in the organization for investment appraisal activities. In terms of factors that have influenced to adopt and implement EMAPs through the Institutional Theoretical Perspective, it was found that coercive isomorphism was the most significant factor whereas the least influential factor was the normative isomorphism on the adoption and the implementation of the EMAPs in the organization. In terms of coercive isomorphism, the government regulations are the most influential force on this adoption and the implementation. Further, the study found some reasons behind the adoption of more Physical EMAPs (PEMAPs) than the Monetary EMAPs (MEMAPs) by the organization. The study contributes to minimize the gap by revealing the types of EMAPs that have been adopted and implemented and revealing the actual factors that have led to adopt and implement those practices in a manufacturer of the apparel industry.

International financial reporting standards for small and medium-sized entities: a new institutional sociology perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to extend the literature by examining the need for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Sri Lankan small and medium entities (SMEs) and investigating the institutional pressures that drove the adoption of the IFRS for SMEs in a developing country, Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework adopted in this study draws on insights from new institutional sociology theory. An interview-based qualitative research was conducted with accountants and owners of SMEs, representatives from government agencies and the accounting standards-setting authority of Sri Lanka.FindingsThe emphasis on the need for international accounting standards for SMEs due to international structures and activities is not a priority for Sri Lankan SMEs. Sri Lankan SME owners do not receive requests to provide internationally comparable financial statements from their trade partners and international activities such as foreign exports, borrowings and ownerships are irrelevant business activities for them. Hence, findings reveal that the decision to adopt the IFRS for SMEs was in response to institutional pressures rather than alleged benefits of internationally comparable financial information. It appears from the results that the influence of local users’ needs and the government interference on the development of accounting standards does not exist in Sri Lanka.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to a single country. The data were collected from SMEs in Sri Lanka, as intended by the research boundary.[AQ1] The study has implications for policy makers, and standard setters charged with developing and implementing an appropriate financial reporting framework for SMEs.Originality/valueThe extant literature on IFRS for SMEs is sparse and mostly conducted through questionnaire surveys with a single user group of SME financial information.

Environmental Accounting from the New Institutional Sociology Theory Lens: Branding or Responsibility?

Drawing on the new institutional sociology theory, this study aims at exploring the implementation of environmental accounting. We analysed sustainability and annual reports of 39 manufacturing companies in Indonesia from 2010 to 2017. The hypotheses of the study were tested using multiple linear regression analysis. The results indicated that company reputation has a positive effect on environmental accounting. However, public ownership has no effect. These results showed that community power failed to encourage companies to disclose environmental accounting. The environmental reporting provided by companies was merely a ceremonial for the good company reputation. The findings of this study contribute to the policy development in which the government might need to tighten regulations for companies to administer their impacts on the environment and provide awards for those succeeding in implementing environmental accounting.

Survival of New Institutional Sociology Theory

This study explores the extent to which institutional pressures influence the adoption of environmental management accounting (EMA) within the Egyptian manufacturing companies through an institutional perspective that relies on the new institutional sociology theory. The study has conducted interviews with staff members in 18 Egyptian manufacturing companies (organizational level), and with other different actors (organizational-field level), influencing the adoption of EMA in Egyptian companies. The study finds that there is some influence of institutional pressures on EMA's adoption in Egyptian manufacturing companies. The study finds that coercive pressure has more influence on companies to adopt EMA than normative and mimetic pressures. The poor influence of Egyptian accounting professional associations and environmental institutions has weakened the impact of normative pressures. More investigation is needed regarding the political and socio-economic factors surrounding the adoption of EMA in Egyptian context through the multi-levels institutional perspective.

The influence of Egyptian context on the trade-off between earnings management approaches

PurposeThis paper aims at studying earnings management phenomenon in its wider social and economic context to get better understanding for the following points: whether there is “one-size-fits-all” earning management approach which can be widespread applied among nations and whether the Egyptian context affects managers’ trade-off between three different earnings management approaches: accounting, operational and investment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts interpretive approach and analyses data from official documents and 34 interviews with company executives; financial analysts; external auditors; and Stock Exchange regulators to inform our understanding of the influence of the Egyptian context on the trade-off between earnings management approaches.FindingsThe results show that there is no application for “one-size-fits-all” earning management approach; unlike the developed cultures, where R&D expenses and overproduction are extensively used for boosting profits, in Egyptian context they are not valid tools. The findings indicate that the Egyptian political and economic context remarkably affect managers trade-off earnings management approaches, leading executives to prefer operational manipulation compared with others.Originality/valueThis paper extends but adds to the literature by shedding light on the different implications of earning management theories based on the variation in the political, economic and operational contexts of firms; identifying that operational cash flows matter more to managers than accounting profits; focusing on the fact that managers differentiate and compare between three various earning management approaches: accounting techniques, investment activities and operational activities; and showing that changes in political and economic Egyptian context makes operational manipulation favorable to be adopted compared with others. It also overcomes the criticism of New Institutional Sociology Theory.

The effect of political-economic reform on the quality of financial reporting in Egypt

PurposeThis paper aims to study the influence of political-economic reform and especially privatisation on the quality of financial reporting of the Egyptian companies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses data from official documents and 34 interviews with company executives, financial analysts, external auditors and Stock Exchange regulators to inform our understanding of the relationship between changes in the Egyptian environment and the quality of financial reporting.FindingsThe findings of the research suggest that the recent Egyptian political-economic reform, resulting in privatisation has significant influence on negative accounting practices and hence on lowering the quality of financial reporting through its effect on: departure from uniform accounting system and public accounting regulations; issuing new stock exchange regulative rules; reviving the role of Stock Exchange; and increasing competition within Stock Exchange regarding raising funds.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by identifying the effect of socio-cultural factors on motivating executives to 7 exercise negative accounting practices and hence producing low-quality financial reports (FRs) and by highlighting the fact that accounting practices cannot be generalised worldwide due to the absence of universal socio-cultural factors which shape these practices. This paper employs new institutional sociology theory and contributes to that theory by acknowledging the active interplay between institutional context and economic environment.

The influence of multinational enterprises on subsidiaries: context matters

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how differences in the institutional environments of a multinational enterprise (MNE) shape the role of management control systems (MCSs) and social capital in the headquarter (HQ)-subsidiary relationship of an emerging economy MNE.Design/methodology/approachA case study design was adopted in this research in order to understand how the differences in the institutional environments of an MNE shape the design and use of MCSs. Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observations. Interviews were conducted at the Nigerian HQ and UK subsidiary of the Nigerian Service Multinational Enterprise (NSMNE).FindingsThe study found that the subsidiary operated autonomously, given its residence in a stronger institutional environment than the HQ. Instead of the HQ depending on MCSs means of coordination and control, it relied on social capital that existed between the HQ and subsidiary to coordinate and integrate the operation of the foreign subsidiary studied.Research limitations/implicationsThe evidence from this research indicates that social capital could be effective in the integration and coordination of multinational operations. However, where social capital becomes the main mechanism of coordination and integration of HQ-subsidiary operations, the focus may have to be, as in this case, on organisational social capital and the need to achieve group goals, rather than specifically designated target goals for the subsidiary. The implication of this is that it may limit the potential of the subsidiary to explore its environment and search for opportunities. These are important insights into the relationship between developed country-based subsidiaries and their less developed countries-based HQs.Practical implicationsA practical implication of this research is in the use of local or expatriate staff to manage the operation of the subsidiary. While previous studies on the MNE, from the conventional perspective of multinational operation, suggest that expatriates may be sent to the subsidiary to head key positions so as to enable the HQ to have control of the subsidiary operation, it is different in this case. The NSMNE has adopted a policy of using locals who have the expertise and understanding of the UK institutional environment to manage the subsidiary’s operation.Social implicationsThis research sheds some light on how development issues associated with a multinational institutional environment may shape the business activities and the relationship between the HQ and subsidiary. It gives some understanding of how policies and practices may have different impacts on employees as businesses attempt to adjust to pressures from their external environment(s).Originality/valueThe reliance on social capital as a means of coordination and control of the foreign subsidiary in this study is significant, given that previous studies have indicated that multinational HQs normally transfer controls and structure to foreign subsidiaries as a means of control. Also, while previous studies have suggested that MNEs HQ have better expertise that enables them to design and transfer MCSs to foreign subsidiaries, this study found that such expertise relates to the institutional environment from which the HQ is operating from. Through the lens of institutional sociology theory, these findings directly contribute to the literature on the transference of practices and control systems in international business discourse.

The Influence of Multinational Enterprises on Subsidiaries: Context Matters

Purpose – This paper examines how differences in the institutional environment of a multinational enterprise (MNE) shape the role of management control systems (MCSs) and social capital in the headquarters-subsidiary relationship of an emerging economy MNE. Design/methodology/approach – A case study design was adopted in this research. Data was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observations. Interviews were conducted at the Nigerian headquarter (HQ) and United Kingdom (UK) subsidiary of the Nigerian multinational enterprise. Findings – The study found that the subsidiary operated autonomously, given its residence in a stronger institutional environment than the HQ. Instead of the HQ depending on MCSs as a means of coordination and control, it relied on social capital that existed between the HQ and the subsidiary to coordinate and integrate the operation of the foreign subsidiary studied. Originality/value – The reliance on social capital as a means of coordination and control of the foreign subsidiary in this study is significant, given that previous studies have indicated that multinational HQs normally employ MCSs as a means of control of foreign subsidiaries. Also, while previous studies have suggested that MNEs HQs have better expertise which enables them to design and transfer MCSs to foreign subsidiaries, this study found that such expertise relates to the institutional environment from which the HQ is operating from. Through the lens of institutional sociology theory and social capital theory, these findings directly contribute to the literature on the transference of practices and control systems in accounting and international business literatures.

The Institutionalization of Accrual Accounting: The Perspective of New Institutional Sociology Theory

This study aims to understand an accounting system change of a local government in Indonesia. This study is a qualitative and interpretive case study. Data collection is done through interviews of key actors who were involved in the process of accrual accounting institutionalization and documentation.The result of this study shows that the institutional isomorphism occurs on the implementation of accrual accounting at the local government. Coercive isomorphism are shown by the finding that the adoption of accrual accounting was affected by the central government, namely by issuing the regulations such as Government Regulation no. 71 of 2010 and Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs no.64 of 2013. Normative isomorphism was found on the findings of consultant and academic involvement in the implementation of accrual accounting. Mimetic isomorphism was found when the local government conducted benchmarking to the other local governments that became the best practice in the accrual accounting implementation in Indonesia. In reality these three forms of institutional mechanism were interact each other, then contribute in influencing the practices and the actors during the accrual accounting institutionalization process in the local government.

Organisational communication on climate change

Purpose– This paper aims to analyse how the components of the institutional context and the adoption patterns of business practices determine the approach to carbon reporting used by organisations.Design/methodology/approach– Drawing on the New Institutional Sociology theory, this paper analyses, compares and interprets the results of the cases of four large Spanish companies which operate in different organisational fields and therefore they are subject to different institutional pressures. The results of these case studies illustrate the different approaches to carbon reporting used by organisations.Findings– The theoretical proposal of this paper establishes that the components of the institutional context (regulative, normative and cognitive), along with the adoption pattern used by organisations to control their carbon emissions (substantive or symbolic), contribute to determining their approach to carbon reporting (outside-in, inside-out, twin-track and isolated).Originality/value– The approaches to reporting and the adoption patterns have been considered independently in the previous literature, paying also scarce attention to the components of the institutional context that can have an influence on the approach to reporting used by organisations to share their environmental information. This paper contributes to bridge this gap, and its results can be of interest for supporting the decisions of policymakers, managers of organisations and society in general.

Understanding performance measurement dynamism: a case study

This paper elaborates on the notion of performance measurement (PM) dynamism. The paper’s argument is based on a literature review and an interventionist case study. The analysis of the structure of PM dynamism is deepened by using New Institutional Sociology theory as a tool. PM dynamism was found to occur at four different levels: in setting the role of performance measures for decision making in general, in the use of measures, in the selection of measures and within the components of single measures. PM dynamism allows, for instance, measures used only for specific and topical purposes (ad hoc), in contrast to the views presented in the extant literature, which reject measures that are not institutionalized. The use of up-to-date measures, a major implication of understanding PM dynamism more thoroughly, could lead to more efficient strategy implementation and enactment at different levels. The originality of the article consists of identifying the rationale and the levels of PM dynamism and of the consideration that the use of ad hoc measures may have a positive impact on managing performance.

Understanding environmental management accounting (EMA) adoption: a new institutional sociology perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to report the results of a study that explains the relationship between institutional pressure and environmental management accounting (EMA) adoption. Specifically, it looks at the pressure of government and other parties in society concerning EMA adoption among manufacturing companies in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the new institutional sociology theory, the paper seeks to identify the extent to which institutional pressure influences EMA adoption level. A total of 74 accountants from manufacturing companies in Malaysia participated in the survey. Institutional pressure (coercive isomorphism, normative pressure and mimetic processes) was tested against the level of EMA adoption via multiple regression analysis. Next, semi‐structured interviews were employed with four survey participants to gain further insights into the survey results.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal some influence of institutional pressure on EMA adoption. Of these, normative pressure in terms of training and accounting body membership was found to be the most forceful.Practical implicationsRecognising the important role of accountants in managing environmental issues in organisations, this study highlights the influence of education and training as determinants of EMA adoption.Originality/valueThis paper offers a preliminary understanding from the new institutional sociology perspective concerning the type of pressure that influences manufacturing companies in Malaysia to adopt EMA.

The Impact of Enterprise Risk Management on Capital Allocation in Insurance Companies

A review of the extant literature of enterprise risk management (ERM) and capital allocation shows that insurers have an incentive to manage capital costs through risk management. They deploy capital by holding a large number of financial risk positions that need to be evaluated. ERM can help insurers to create and improve shareholder value through better risk-based decision making and capital allocation. This study aims to develop a theoretical framework that helps in understanding risk management practice associated with ERM implementation. Mainly, this framework draws on structuration theory (Giddens, 1979, 1984) and institutional theory, particularly the institutional framework of Burns and Scapens (2000), as well as ‘new’ institutional sociology theory. This framework is used in this research as a theoretical base to investigate the link between the motives for ERM adoption and ERM use within insurance companies, the relation between ERM determinants and its use, as well as to provide empirical evidence of capital allocation change process driven by ERM in insurance companies’ context. A field study is conducted for the purpose of this research. Six listed large or medium-sized general insurance companies based in London were purposively chosen for this research. The adoption decision of ERM was mainly driven by coercive, internal and normative pressures rather than mimetic ones. The presence of the chief risk officer (CRO) and CEO and CFO support for ERM in insurance industries are shown to be the main determents for ERM implementation. In addition, ERM drives changes in various risk management practices such as capital allocation, underwriting and actuarial.

Understanding non‐financial performance measurement practices in Japanese banks

This paper reports the performance measurement practices of four Japanese banks. The research is a field study informed by the new institutional sociology theory. It sought to understand and explain what factors affected the design and use of non‐financial performance measurement systems in the banks studied. The results indicate that several institutional forces influenced the banks to implement a particular performance measurement system. Of these, economic constraints appeared to be the most forceful factor, followed by the central bank’s regulatory control, accounting standards/financial legislation, management’s strategic focus, bank size, competition, and organizational tendency to copy best practices from others.