Public auditors’ perception of digital platforms for popular reporting: insights from the case study of OpenBDAP
International Journal of Public Sector Management
ISSN: 0951-3558
Article publication date: 22 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper employs the Biondi and Lapsley (2014) accounting information transparency model to investigate whether effective transparency can be achieved through digital platforms for popular reporting. In order to address the limitations in previous research, which predominantly targets non-expert users, this is attained by focusing on the perception of local government auditors. By engaging auditors who are experts in accounting, the study aims to investigate if any cognitive biases in the design of online platforms could impact the achievement of a sophisticated understanding with shared meanings among citizens.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts an explorative and inductive approach, semi-structured interviews and an online survey among the Italian local governments’ Professional Auditors’ Association (ANCREL). Auditors assessed the OpenBDAP (https://openbdap.rgs.mef.gov.it/) platform in facilitating the comparison and analysis of the budgets and financial statements of Italian public sector organisations.
Findings
The results present a nuanced assessment of OpenBDAP, highlighting a general consensus on its ability to enhance the access and understanding of financial data and the appreciation of the utility of infographics in understanding financial data. Therefore, a clear challenge emerges in achieving active engagement of stakeholders. Despite expectations expressed during interviews with the Italian National Accounting Office regarding the design of custom APIs to meet user needs, our findings indicate the potential presence of cognitive biases in the design of the online platform as key obstacles.
Originality/value
By extending the application of the Biondi and Lapsley (2014) model on digital platforms for popular reporting to local government auditors, this study highlights the potential presence of cognitive bias in the design of online platforms that may impact the achievement of effective transparency, an aspect not previously identified in existing research. Finally, it suggests that these popular reporting platforms may evolve beyond mere transparency tools, assuming a broader role as potent learning instruments. This transformation could help to address the inherent complexity of accounting information, which is the real obstacle to achieving transparency.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank ANCREL and in particular Dr Carla Maria Manca. We would also like to thank Ragioneria Generale dello Stato, and especially Dr Carmine di Nuzzo, who at the time of the interviews was serving as Chief General Inspector of IGIT, as well as Dr Federico Falcitelli and Dr Antonia Ronzio, who were serving as managers of IGB and IGIT, respectively.
Citation
Eltrudis, D., Monfardini, P. and Pattaro, A.F. (2024), "Public auditors’ perception of digital platforms for popular reporting: insights from the case study of OpenBDAP", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-01-2024-0012
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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