Management Accounting Change in a Manufacturing Company (1946–1975)
Performance Measurement and Management Control: Contemporary Issues
ISBN: 978-1-78560-916-9, eISBN: 978-1-78560-915-2
Publication date: 28 June 2016
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter focuses on how changes in management control systems in a manufacturing company could be affected by the interplay of institutional forces and power mobilization over an extended period of time (1946–1975).
Methodology/approach
The chapter is grounded in the ‘hybrid’ theoretical framework developed by Yazdifar, Zaman, Tsamenyi, and Askarany (2008) which ties old institutional economics, new institutional sociology and power mobilization frameworks to provide a holistic view of a process of change. Historical analysis contributes to an understanding of the institutional context. The research has been developed by a longitudinal case study by using archival data.
Findings
The chapter provides us with an insight into management accounting change during an extended period of time dominated by political instability, economic turbulence, social tensions and change in the company’s presidency. The study suggests that changes were dependent on a complex set of relationships and preconditions, that the specificity of the company’s accounting controls was tied to isomorphism forms and power relationships internal to the company, while pressures from the external environment did not impact significantly on control systems architecture and functioning of the company.
Research limitations
The use of qualitative approach (as longitudinal case studies) is often criticized because its results are not generalizable and replicable.
Originality/value
The chapter clarifies the theoretical underpinnings of the institutional frameworks and power relationships and suggests areas for institutional and interdisciplinary research into management change.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Fondazione Piaggio for its vital support. Without this, it would not have been possible to conduct this research. The authors also are indebted to Salvador Carmona for his advice on earlier drafts of this chapter. Previous versions of this chapter were presented at the XX Workshop en Contabilidad y control de Gestión, Memorial Raymond Konopka in Segovia (January 2015), at the VI Financial Reporting Workshop in Grenoble (June 2015), at the EIASM XIII conference on Performance Measurement and Management Control in Nice (September 2015).
Citation
Francioli, F. and Quagli, A. (2016), "Management Accounting Change in a Manufacturing Company (1946–1975)", Performance Measurement and Management Control: Contemporary Issues (Studies in Managerial and Financial Accounting, Vol. 31), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 165-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-351220160000031006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited