IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/acctbr/v44y2014i4p469-490.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digitisation, 'Big Data' and the transformation of accounting information

Author

Listed:
  • Alnoor Bhimani
  • Leslie Willcocks

Abstract

Developments in digitisation, software and processing power and the accompanying data explosion create significant alterations, dilemmas and possibilities for enterprises and their finance function. The article discusses a model for understanding data, information and knowledge relationships. We apply the model to examine developments in strategy, organisational and cost structures, digitisation, business analytics, outsourcing, offshoring and cloud computing. We argue that organisations need to be sensitised to different types of knowledge, the challenges in creating and applying that knowledge, and be more circumspect about what can be achieved through advances in information-based technologies and software. We point to both the potential of and the complexities presented by Big Data in relation to the finance function generally and to management accounting information provision specifically. We suggest that 'Big Data' and data analysis techniques enable executives to act on structured and unstructured information but such action must recognise that the traditionally presumed sequential and linear links among corporate strategy, firm structure and information systems design are no longer in play. Additionally, cost structure changes are affected by developments in how data, information and knowledge can be utilised. We discuss the outsourcing and offshoring of work and their data, information and knowledge ramifications as well as those related to cloud computing. We conclude that the possibilities for the digitally enabled business create a range of 'information literacy' challenges as well as new possibilities for accounting information providers.

Suggested Citation

  • Alnoor Bhimani & Leslie Willcocks, 2014. "Digitisation, 'Big Data' and the transformation of accounting information," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 469-490, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:44:y:2014:i:4:p:469-490
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2014.910051
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/00014788.2014.910051
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/00014788.2014.910051?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. Bhimani, Alnoor, 1996. "Management Accounting: European Perspectives," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198289661, Decembrie.
    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. Vitor Azzari & Emerson Wagner Mainardes & Aziz Xavier Beiruth & Fábio M. Costa, 2021. "The dimensions of accounting service quality," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(8), pages 1-31, August.
    2. Franco Visani, 2017. "Applying business analytics for performance measurement and management. The case study of a software company," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(2), pages 89-123.
    3. Bhimani, Alnoor, 2015. "Exploring big data’s strategic consequences," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 86632, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Anca Antoaneta Vărzaru, 2022. "Assessing Digital Transformation of Cost Accounting Tools in Healthcare," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Maël Schnegg & Klaus Möller, 2022. "Strategies for data analytics projects in business performance forecasting: a field study," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 241-271, June.
    6. Seddon, Jonathan J.J.M. & Currie, Wendy L., 2017. "A model for unpacking big data analytics in high-frequency trading," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 300-307.
    7. Purva Grover & Arpan Kumar Kar, 2017. "Big Data Analytics: A Review on Theoretical Contributions and Tools Used in Literature," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 18(3), pages 203-229, September.
    8. Rikhardsson, Pall & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2018. "Business intelligence & analytics in management accounting research: Status and future focus," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 37-58.
    9. J. Piet Hausberg & Kirsten Liere-Netheler & Sven Packmohr & Stefanie Pakura & Kristin Vogelsang, 2019. "Research streams on digital transformation from a holistic business perspective: a systematic literature review and citation network analysis," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 89(8), pages 931-963, December.
    10. Ulrich Leicht-Deobald & Thorsten Busch & Christoph Schank & Antoinette Weibel & Simon Schafheitle & Isabelle Wildhaber & Gabriel Kasper, 2019. "The Challenges of Algorithm-Based HR Decision-Making for Personal Integrity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 377-392, December.
    11. Gianluca Gabrielli & Alice Medioli & Paolo Andrei, 2022. "Accounting and Big Data: Trends, opportunities and direction for practitioners and researchers," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2), pages 89-112.
    12. Moll, Jodie & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2019. "The role of internet-related technologies in shaping the work of accountants: New directions for accounting research," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    13. Sivarajah, Uthayasankar & Kamal, Muhammad Mustafa & Irani, Zahir & Weerakkody, Vishanth, 2017. "Critical analysis of Big Data challenges and analytical methods," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 263-286.
    14. Oesterreich, Thuy Duong & Teuteberg, Frank & Bensberg, Frank & Buscher, Gandalf, 2019. "The controlling profession in the digital age: Understanding the impact of digitisation on the controller's job roles, skills and competences," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    15. Michael Kend & Lan Anh Nguyen, 2020. "Big Data Analytics and Other Emerging Technologies: The Impact on the Australian Audit and Assurance Profession," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 30(4), pages 269-282, December.
    16. Knudsen, Dan-Richard, 2020. "Elusive boundaries, power relations, and knowledge production: A systematic review of the literature on digitalization in accounting," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).
    17. Alnoor Bhimani, 2020. "Digital data and management accounting: why we need to rethink research methods," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 9-23, April.
    18. Sophie Cockcroft & Mark Russell, 2018. "Big Data Opportunities for Accounting and Finance Practice and Research," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(3), pages 323-333, September.

    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. Lino Cinquini & Andrea Tenucci, 2011. "Management Accounting for Service: A Research Agenda," Working Papers 201102, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa, Istituto di Management.
    2. Hoque, Zahirul, 2014. "20 years of studies on the balanced scorecard: Trends, accomplishments, gaps and opportunities for future research," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 33-59.
    3. Anne Pezet, 2007. "Les "french tableaux de bord" (1885-1975)," Post-Print halshs-00544878, HAL.
    4. John Brierley & Christopher Cowton & Colin Drury, 2001. "Research into product costing practice: a European perspective," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 215-256.
    5. Andreas Hoffjan & Rouven Trapp & Christoph Endenich & Thomas Boucoiran, 2012. "International budgeting—challenges for German-French companies," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 5-25, September.
    6. Tobias Scheytt & Kim Soin & Thomas Metz, 2003. "Exploring notions of control across cultures: a narrative approach," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(3), pages 515-547.
    7. Alena Golyagina & Danielius Valuckas, 2016. "Representation of knowledge on some management accounting techniques in textbooks," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(5), pages 479-501, September.
    8. Salvador Carmona & Isabel Gutierrez & Macario Camara, 1999. "A profile of European accounting research: evidence from leading research journals," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 463-480.
    9. Christoph Endenich & Michael Brandau & Andreas Hoffjan, 2011. "Two Decades of Research on Comparative Management Accounting – Achievements and Future Directions," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 21(4), pages 365-382, December.
    10. repec:dau:papers:123456789/2179 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Flavius-Andrei GUINEA, 2016. "Study regarding the impact of cultural factors on management accounting systems," The Audit Financiar journal, Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, vol. 14(144), pages 1359-1359.
    12. Toomas Haldma & Kertu Laats, 2002. "Influencing Contingencies On Management Accounting Practices In Estonian Manufacturing Companies," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 13, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    13. Oriol Amat & John Blake & Philip Wraith, 1999. "Environmental factors giving rise to variations in national management accounting practice," Economics Working Papers 432, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    14. Pavel Lebedev, 2019. "Main Drivers of the Evolution of Management Accounting Concept in Russia: Global Ambitions vs. Local Way," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 17(4 (Winter), pages 289-316.
    15. Drury, Colin & Tayles, Mike, 2006. "Profitability analysis in UK organizations: An exploratory study," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 405-425.
    16. Flavius-Andrei Guinea, 2016. "Creativity in Managerial Accounting: the Syndrome of Clone-type Production Costs," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 515-520, February.
    17. Luca Del Bene & Fabio Fiorillo & Iacopo Cavallini & Beatrice Caporaletti, 2019. "Accounting change negli enti locali. Quali condizioni per il miglioramento nell?ottica gestionale?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(3), pages 59-78.
    18. George Angelakis & Nikolaos Theriou & Iordanis Floropoulos & Athanasios Mandilas, 2015. "Traditional and Currently Developed Management Accounting Practices - A Greek Study," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(3), pages 52-87.
    19. Jose L. Arquero & Trevor Hassall & John Joyce & Jose A. Donoso, 2007. "Accounting Students and Communication Apprehension: A Study of Spanish and UK Students," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(2), pages 299-322.
    20. Simon Alcouffe & Jonathan Maurice & Nadine Galy & Loïc Gate, 2019. "Is the limited diffusion of management accounting innovations really a paradox? A meta-analysis of the relationship between product diversity and the adoption of Activity-Based Costing [La faible d," Post-Print hal-02124677, HAL.
    21. Francesca Francioli, 2018. "Strategic performance management systems in Italian banks. A research note," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(2), pages 155-178.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:taf:acctbr:v:44:y:2014:i:4:p:469-490. 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: Chris Longhurst (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.tandfonline.com/RABR20 .

    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.