IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/qrampp/v5y2008i3p165-183.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The role of accounting in the management control system: a case study of a family‐led firm

Author

Listed:
  • Sinikka Moilanen

Abstract

Purpose - This study seeks to add to the knowledge of the formation of social positions and power of individuals and their effects on the role of accounting in the development of management control systems (MCSs). Design/methodology/approach - Drawing on institutional and the mobilization of power frameworks, the case analysis explores the development of the role of accounting in the MCS. Findings - The results show that loose coupling between management control routines and formal accounting leaves room for individuals whose roles are important in the development of the MCS. These individuals with central social positions are the glue which enables loose coupling to persist through changes. The organizational culture of a family‐led firm may facilitate the individuals to mobilize power, so that they with central social positions mediate the encoding of institutions into rules and routines as well as the reproduction of the formal rules and informal routines and the relationship between them. Similarly, their own social positions may reproduce. Originality/value - The paper is of value in showing how the power of an individual over (and in) accounting can be constructed in the MCS. In addition, the discussion is linked to operating in certain transitional economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Sinikka Moilanen, 2008. "The role of accounting in the management control system: a case study of a family‐led firm," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(3), pages 165-183, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:qrampp:v:5:y:2008:i:3:p:165-183
    DOI: 10.1108/11766090810910209
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/11766090810910209/full/html?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/11766090810910209/full/pdf?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1108/11766090810910209?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. João A. Ribeiro & Robert W. Scapens, 2006. "Institutional theories in management accounting change: Contributions, issues and paths for development," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 3(2), pages 94-111, July.
    2. Timo Hyvonen & Janne Jarvinen, 2006. "Contract-Based budgeting in health care: A study of the institutional processes of accounting change," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 3-36.
    3. Marko Jarvenpaa, 2007. "Making Business Partners: A Case Study on how Management Accounting Culture was Changed," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 99-142.
    4. Derek Bailey, 1995. "Accounting in transition in the transitional economy," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(4), pages 595-623.
    5. Whitley, R., 1999. "Firms, institutions and management control: the comparative analysis of coordination and control systems," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 24(5-6), pages 507-524, July.
    6. Trevor Hopper & Maria Major, 2007. "Extending Institutional Analysis through Theoretical Triangulation: Regulation and Activity-Based Costing in Portuguese Telecommunications," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 59-97.
    7. Yazdifar, Hassan & Zaman, Mahbub & Tsamenyi, Mathew & Askarany, Davood, 2008. "Management accounting change in a subsidiary organisation," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 404-430.
    8. Michailova, Snejina, 2002. "When common sense becomes uncommon: participation and empowerment in Russian companies with Western participation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 180-187, October.
    9. Kakkuri-Knuuttila, Marja-Liisa & Lukka, Kari & Kuorikoski, Jaakko, 2008. "Straddling between paradigms: A naturalistic philosophical case study on interpretive research in management accounting," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(2-3), pages 267-291.
    10. Jones, C. S., 1985. "An empirical study of the role of management accounting systems following takeover or merger," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 177-200, April.
    11. Covaleski, Mark A. & Dirsmith, Mark W., 1983. "Budgeting as a means for control and loose coupling," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 323-340, October.
    12. Quattrone, Paolo & Hopper, Trevor, 2005. "A 'time-space odyssey': management control systems in two multinational organisations," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 30(7-8), pages 735-764.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Caputo & Stefania Veltri & Andrea Venturelli, 2017. "Sustainability Strategy and Management Control Systems in Family Firms. Evidence from a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Martin Quinn & Martin R. W. Hiebl & Ken Moores & Justin B. Craig, 2018. "Future research on management accounting and control in family firms: suggestions linked to architecture, governance, entrepreneurship and stewardship," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 529-546, February.
    3. Martin R. W. Hiebl & Barbara Mayrleitner, 2019. "Professionalization of management accounting in family firms: the impact of family members," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 1037-1068, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Modell, Sven & Vinnari, Eija & Lukka, Kari, 2017. "On the virtues and vices of combining theories: The case of institutional and actor-network theories in accounting research," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 62-78.
    2. Diab, Ahmed A., 2021. "The appearance of community logics in management accounting and control: Evidence from an Egyptian sugar beet village," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Hanna Silvola, 2008. "Design of MACS in growth and revival stages of the organizational life‐cycle," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(1), pages 27-47, March.
    4. How, Shi-Min & Alawattage, Chandana, 2012. "Accounting decoupled: A case study of accounting regime change in a Malaysian company," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 403-419.
    5. Stergiou, Konstantinos & Ashraf, Junaid & Uddin, Shahzad, 2013. "The role of structure and agency in management accounting control change of a family owned firm: A Greek case study," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 62-73.
    6. Moll, Jodie & Hoque, Zahirul, 2011. "Budgeting for legitimacy: The case of an Australian university," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 86-101, February.
    7. Staci A. Kenno & Michelle C. Lau & Barbara J. Sainty, 2018. "In Search of a Theory of Budgeting: A Literature Review," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), pages 507-553, December.
    8. Ildikó Réka CARDOS & Stefan PETE, 2011. "Activity-based Costing (ABC) and Activity-based Management(ABM)Implementation – Is This the Solution for Organizations to Gain Profitability?," Romanian Journal of Economics, Institute of National Economy, vol. 32(1(41)), pages 151-168, June.
    9. Nazila Razi & Elizabeth More & Gensheng Shen, 2021. "Risk Implications for the Role of Budgets in Implementing Post-Acquisition Systems Integration Strategies," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-24, July.
    10. Inês Cruz & Maria Major & Robert W. Scapens, 2009. "Institutionalization and practice variation in the management control of a global/local setting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(1), pages 91-117, January.
    11. Ahrens, Thomas & Becker, Albrecht & Burns, John & Chapman, Christopher S. & Granlund, Markus & Habersam, Michael & Hansen, Allan & Khalifa, Rihab & Malmi, Teemu & Mennicken, Andrea & Mikes, Anette & P, 2008. "The future of interpretive accounting research—A polyphonic debate," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 840-866.
    12. Luft, Joan & Shields, Michael D., 2003. "Mapping management accounting: graphics and guidelines for theory-consistent empirical research," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(2-3), pages 169-249.
    13. Marco Morelli & Francesca Lecci, 2014. "Management control systems (MCS) change and the impact of top management characteristics: the case of healthcare organisations," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 267-298, January.
    14. Ildikó Réka CARDOS & Stefan PETE & Vasile Daniel CARDOS, 2012. "An Overview On The Adoption And Implementation Of Activity - Based Costing In Practice," Romanian Journal of Economics, Institute of National Economy, vol. 35(2(44)), pages 185-200, December.
    15. Bruce Gurd, 2008. "Remaining consistent with method? An analysis of grounded theory research in accounting," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(2), pages 122-138, June.
    16. Ahrens, Thomas & Chapman, Christopher S., 2006. "Doing qualitative field research in management accounting: Positioning data to contribute to theory," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 819-841, November.
    17. Cardos Ildiko Reka & Pete Stefan, 2011. "Managerial And Cost Accounting Practices - A Romanian Overview," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 484-490, December.
    18. Robalo, Rui, 2014. "Explanations for the gap between management accounting rules and routines: An institutional approach," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 88-97.
    19. Escobar-Rodríguez, Tomás & Bartual-Sopena, Lourdes, 2015. "Impact of cultural factors on attitude toward using ERP systems in public hospitals," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 127-137.
    20. Martijn van der Steen, 2011. "The emergence and change of management accounting routines," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(4), pages 502-547, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eme:qrampp:v:5:y:2008:i:3:p:165-183. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Emerald Support (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.