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Ethical Dilemmas in Digital Accounting: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian GROȘANU

    (Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)

  • Melinda-Timea FÜLÖP

    (Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)

  • Nicolae MĂGDAȘ

    (Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)

Abstract

The progressive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into accounting and business information technology harbours both promising opportunities and significant risks, particularly with regard to ethical issues. By imitating human cognitive skills and reasoning, AI promises to reduce costs and time, improve data analysis and increase information accuracy, enabling deeper insight into business processes and improving customer service. These developments lead to increased discussion of the need for ethical reflections and guidelines in business informatics. In the wake of intense international debates about the ethics of information technology in business, proposals for legal and regulatory frameworks are emerging, including the establishment of regulatory or ethical oversight bodies for AI. This development highlights the urgent need to integrate ethical principles into the development and application of AI technologies to ensure their use in the interest of society and to protect fundamental rights and freedoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian GROȘANU & Melinda-Timea FÜLÖP & Nicolae MĂGDAȘ, 2024. "Ethical Dilemmas in Digital Accounting: A Comprehensive Literature Review," CECCAR Business Review, Body of Expert and Licensed Accountants of Romania (CECCAR), vol. 5(4), pages 56-67, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:ahd:journl:v:5:y:2024:i:4:p:56-67
    DOI: 10.37945/cbr.2024.04.06
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lee D. Parker & Deryl Northcott, 2016. "Qualitative generalising in accounting research: concepts and strategies," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(6), pages 1100-1131, August.
    2. Michael Hilb, 2020. "Toward artificial governance? The role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of corporate governance," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 24(4), pages 851-870, December.
    3. Kocsis, David, 2019. "A conceptual foundation of design and implementation research in accounting information systems," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Ivy Munoko & Helen L. Brown-Liburd & Miklos Vasarhelyi, 2020. "The Ethical Implications of Using Artificial Intelligence in Auditing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 209-234, November.
    5. Snyder, Hannah, 2019. "Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 333-339.
    6. Othmar Manfred Lehner & Kim Ittonen & Hanna Silvola & Eva Ström & Alena Wührleitner, 2022. "Artificial intelligence based decision-making in accounting and auditing: ethical challenges and normative thinking," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(9), pages 109-135, June.
    7. Susanne Leitner-Hanetseder & Othmar M. Lehner & Christoph Eisl & Carina Forstenlechner, 2021. "A profession in transition: actors, tasks and roles in AI-based accounting," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(3), pages 539-556, February.
    8. Heimo Losbichler & Othmar M. Lehner, 2021. "Limits of artificial intelligence in controlling and the ways forward: a call for future accounting research," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(2), pages 365-382, January.
    9. Alessandra Lardo & Katia Corsi & Ashish Varma & Daniela Mancini, 2022. "Exploring blockchain in the accounting domain: a bibliometric analysis," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(9), pages 204-233, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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