Lan Anh Nguyen, Michael Kend and Hoa Luong
The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of key stakeholders in Vietnam on the impact on audit quality and independence after major reforms to audit.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of key stakeholders in Vietnam on the impact on audit quality and independence after major reforms to audit.
Design/methodology/approach
Using new institutional sociology, this study seeks to explain how Vietnamese external auditors and accountants have responded to audit reforms and provides perceptions on how audit quality and independence may have been impacted. This study draws on semi-structured interviews conducted with 33 highly experienced participants, representing various stakeholder groups in Vietnam.
Findings
The findings indicate that after almost a decade since the full implementation of the Law of Independent Audit (2011) in Vietnam, the audit and assurance market in Vietnam is characterised by low quality audits, a lack of compliance with standards and auditor independence concerns, specifically amongst the smaller audit practitioners. Participants indicated that competition for new audit clients or retaining existing clients is a priority over improving audit quality and independence.
Originality/value
By examining a combination of different factors relating to audit quality and independence, the authors further demonstrate the impact of these factors in Vietnam, helping audit professionals and regulators to have a better and more meaningful understanding of that state of the audit profession. This study also considers audit concerns or issues arising because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.
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Lan Anh Nguyen, Brendan O'Connell, Michael Kend, Van Anh Thi Pham and Gillian Vesty
The study explores accountants' views of the likelihood of widespread accounting manipulation in the emerging economy, Vietnam. Applying the fraud triangle framework, we examine…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores accountants' views of the likelihood of widespread accounting manipulation in the emerging economy, Vietnam. Applying the fraud triangle framework, we examine accountants' responses to management pressure, manipulation opportunities and perceptions of how they rationalize their decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an experimental methodology involving 592 Vietnamese accountants as participants. Post-experiment field interviews were conducted with eight highly experienced accountants.
Findings
Our findings indicate that accounting manipulation is perceived to be common in Vietnam. The findings reveal that there is no differentiation between manipulation of accounting transactions with or without management pressure and no differentiation between collective gain or individual gain.
Research limitations/implications
While the study focused on accountants' perceptions of accounting manipulation, these views may change over time. The impact of law reforms and the potential for prosecution under the force of law provisions could alter these perceptions.
Practical implications
The study findings alert regulators, government authorities and auditors of the perceptions and views in relation to accounting manipulation and the potential for fraud in Vietnam. Auditors could use help from forensic specialists to uncover unethical behaviors identified in this study.
Originality/value
The fraud triangle framework is used to shed light on fraud through the examination of accounting manipulation in Vietnam. We contribute to the relevant accounting literature with insights into accountants' motivations toward conducting questionable accounting transactions. The contributions we make draw attention to preconceptions of Asian societies; in particular, accounting actions to motivate collectivist gains. While we shed further light on fraudulent accounting, we conclude that the fraud triangle framework does not necessarily articulate fraud well in relation to accounting manipulation in emerging economies.
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Lan Anh Nguyen, Gillian Vesty, Michael Kend, Quan Nguyen and Brendan O'Connell
The purpose of this paper is to understand the institutionally driven changes impacting organizational accounting manipulation in Vietnam’s emerging transitional economy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the institutionally driven changes impacting organizational accounting manipulation in Vietnam’s emerging transitional economy. Specifically, this study explore how Vietnamese accountants and regulators explain questionable accounting transactions and their rationalization for those practices, especially during the period of accounting system transition from Vietnamese accounting standards to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses interview-based methods involving 22 Vietnamese accountants, financial managers, audit partners and regulators.
Findings
This study have found dysfunctional approaches to revenue and expense recognition underpinned by institutional theory. At play is a combination of opportunities relating to weak accounting standards and organizational controls; management pressure; and a desire to avoid unwanted scrutiny from Vietnamese regulators.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not include the views of non-financial managers or other accounting users. Future research could focus more on the perceptions of these other stakeholder groups.
Practical implications
Accounting manipulation can be collusive, therefore, regulators should have a stricter view and broader examination in the monitoring process.
Originality/value
This study examine accounting manipulation through the lens of New Institutional Sociology and also share the views of the accountants and regulators. This study argue that weak accounting standards are not the only factors contributing to accounting manipulation. When evaluating the existence of accounting manipulation, this paper find a combination of factors including: opportunities for manipulation, pressure from management and the rationale behind the conduct. These factors should be interpreted in context.
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Although student evaluation of teaching (SET) is widely used, there has been a significant disparity between its potential benefits with the actual impact on improving educational…
Abstract
Purpose
Although student evaluation of teaching (SET) is widely used, there has been a significant disparity between its potential benefits with the actual impact on improving educational quality. This study aims to inquire into the factors contributing to this discrepancy and the underlying mechanisms hindering the effective utilisation of SET.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative case study used problem-based methodology to investigate the theories of action of administrators involved in SET. The study uses SET documents and individual interviews with 18 administrators from six Vietnamese higher education institutions.
Findings
While the administrators monitored SET data and addressed SET problems, few used it for quality improvement. The participants’ SET approaches were influenced by various constraints, especially the intricate interaction between neoliberal agendas with professional and cultural values.
Research limitations/implications
Despite a lack of statistical generalisability, this study contributes to analytical generalisation by vividly portraying the complexity of the SET practice in a higher education context.
Practical implications
This study suggests a more inclusive approach to quality improvement that prioritises multi-stakeholder engagement.
Social implications
The constraint analysis offers invaluable insights into the challenges and dynamics of SET practice, which can be used to enhance SET effectiveness and overall educational quality.
Originality/value
This paper addresses the need to examine the theories of action of administrators involved in SET, emphasising the significance of a comprehensive understanding of the stakeholders’ underlying reasoning process for successful evaluation implementation.
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Lan Anh Nguyen, Steven Dellaportas, Gillian Maree Vesty, Van Anh Thi Pham, Lilibeth Jandug and Eva Tsahuridu
This research examines the impact of organisational culture on the ethical judgement and ethical intention of corporate accountants in Vietnam.
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the impact of organisational culture on the ethical judgement and ethical intention of corporate accountants in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
The study relies on survey data collected from 283 practising accountants in Vietnam. Organisational culture was measured using the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument, developed by Cameron and Quinn (2011). The Instrument is developed based on the competing values framework comprised of four distinct cultures: clan, hierarchy, market and adhocracy. Ethical judgement and ethical intention were measured based on respondent responses to five ethical scenarios, each linked to a principle of professional conduct in the code of ethics.
Findings
The findings indicate that the clan culture (family oriented) is dominant and has a significant positive influence on accountants' ethical judgement and ethical intention. Respondents in the clan culture evaluate scenarios more ethically compared with accountants in the adhocracy and market cultures but not the hierarchy culture. Accountants who emphasise the adhocracy and market cultures display a more relaxed attitude towards unethical scenarios whereas respondents in the hierarchy culture (rule oriented) display the highest ethical attitude.
Research limitations/implications
The code of ethics, its content and how it is interpreted and applied may differ between professions, organisations or cultures.
Originality/value
Organisational research on ethical decision-making is ample but few studies link organisational culture with ethical judgement and ethical intention from the perspective of individual accountants.
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Huong Le, Joohan Lee, Ingrid Nielsen and Thi Lan Anh Nguyen
This paper examines the factors that influence the work attitudes of employees and the conditional effects of family support on the job demand–turnover intention relationship.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the factors that influence the work attitudes of employees and the conditional effects of family support on the job demand–turnover intention relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a sample of 231 employees working in the manufacturing industry in Vietnam to test the conceptual model.
Findings
Drawing upon the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and job embeddedness theory, the authors found that employees' psychological capital and family support influenced turnover intentions through enhancing their job satisfaction. The authors also found that the influence of job demands on turnover intentions was altered when employees had higher levels of family support.
Originality/value
This study provides important insights for human resource managers regarding what may influence employees' job satisfaction and turnover intentions. The findings advance turnover literature by highlighting the important roles of both internal resources (psychological capital) and external resources (family support) in influencing employee turnover intentions in Vietnam.
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Lan Anh Nguyen, Steven Dellaportas and Duc Hong Thi Phan
This study aims to examine the literature on accounting ethics education to capture and synthesise the characteristics of scholars dedicated to this area of research.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the literature on accounting ethics education to capture and synthesise the characteristics of scholars dedicated to this area of research.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a combination of PRISMA systematic literature review methods and research profiling, the study collects a sample frame consisting of 278 articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals from 1970 to 2023. The articles were analysed to identify key authors of accounting ethics education research, the institutions conducting this research and the journals publishing this research.
Findings
The results indicate that research in accounting ethics education is not dominated by any single institution but is distributed across 225 institutions in 36 countries, with a significant concentration in the United States. Additionally, most articles were published in accounting or business journals, rather than in education-focused journals.
Research limitations/implications
The findings provide insights into the ranking of researchers in accounting ethics education and establish benchmarks among the institutions involved in this research area. Further studies could explore the implications of these findings on future research directions.
Practical implications
This study offers valuable information for academics and institutions seeking to understand the landscape of accounting ethics education research and highlights areas for potential collaboration and development.
Originality/value
This paper addresses a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of the existing research on accounting ethics education and the scholarly community surrounding it.
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Thanh Tiep Le, Nhu Bui Thi Tuyet, Thu Le Anh, Ngan Dang Thi Kim, Ninh Trinh Thi Thai and Anh Nguyen Lan
This study evaluates the impact of online menus and perceived convenience of online food ordering on consumer purchase intention and shows how a desire for food creates a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study evaluates the impact of online menus and perceived convenience of online food ordering on consumer purchase intention and shows how a desire for food creates a relationship between an online menu and a customer's purchase intention. Suggestions for management are proposed to design an effective menu to improve business performance in the competitive market in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper follows a quantitative method. Quantitative research aims to analyze and critically evaluate the research question(s) to discover new factors.
Findings
Findings indicate a positive relationship between menu visual appeal (MV), menu informativeness (MI), desire for food (DF), the perceived convenience (PC) of ordering food online and intention to purchase (PI). The attractiveness of images and information is a significant factor affecting diners’ desire to eat, while the demand for food and the convenience of ordering food online are also factors affecting purchase intention.
Practical implications
The study confirms the importance of online menus to purchase intention. Economically, when supply and demand are reasonable, the market is stable and technology develops. In terms of social, hygiene, attractiveness and price factors, it is helpful to have an overview. Research is the premise for further studies with factors from menu to customer trust.
Originality/value
The study provides a solid foundation for further studies on restaurant menu elements as well as a new perspective on how restaurants improve their dishes.
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Michael Kend and Lan Anh Nguyen
The purpose of this study is to explore audit procedure disclosures related to key audit risks, during the prior year and the initial year of the COVID-19 outbreak, by reporting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore audit procedure disclosures related to key audit risks, during the prior year and the initial year of the COVID-19 outbreak, by reporting on matters published in over 3,000 Australian statutory audit reports during 2019 and 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
This study partially uses latent semantic analysis methods to apply textual and readability analyses to external audit reports in Australia. The authors measure the tone of the audit reports using the Loughran and McDonald (2011) approach.
Findings
The authors find that 3% of audit procedures undertaken during 2020 were designed to address audit risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As a percentage of total audit procedures undertaken during 2020, the authors find that smaller practitioners reported much less audit procedures related to COVID-19 audit risks than most larger audit firms. Finally, the textual analysis further found differences in the sentiment or tone of words used by different auditors in 2020, but differences in sentiment or tone were not found when 2020 was compared to the prior year 2019.
Originality/value
This study provides early evidence on whether auditors designed audit procedures to deal specifically with audit risks that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the extent and nature of those audit procedures. The study will help policymakers to better understand whether Key Audit Matters provided informational value to investors during a time of global crisis.
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Doan Thi Thuy, Pham Tien Thanh, Nguyen Hoang Chau Pha and Nguyen Thii Lan Anh
A high-quality workforce plays an important role in rural development. However, many well-educated rural-born youths migrate to urban centers in search for better economic…
Abstract
Purpose
A high-quality workforce plays an important role in rural development. However, many well-educated rural-born youths migrate to urban centers in search for better economic opportunity or living standard due to the socio-economic underdevelopment and a lack of good employment opportunity in rural areas. This migration potentially hampers economic activities in these areas. Therefore, encouraging these youth to return and work is important, demanding the attention of local governments. Accordingly, this research aims to examine the role of local infrastructure and entrepreneurial opportunity in enhancing their return-and-work intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from rural-born students studying in urban areas. The quantitative analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling, supplemented by qualitative methods.
Findings
Local infrastructure is positively associated with entrepreneurial opportunity and return-to-work intention. Furthermore, entrepreneurial opportunity is positively linked to return-to-work intention. These results indicate the mediating roles of entrepreneurial opportunity in the effects of local infrastructure on return-to-work intention.
Practical implications
This research offers policy implications for policymakers and local governments in developing countries, emphasizing the important roles of local infrastructure, and entrepreneurial opportunity. This can encourage well-educated rural-born youth to return and work in rural areas, thereby contributing to fostering rural development and revitalizing rural communities.
Originality/value
This research represents one of the early attempts to explore the complex relationships among local infrastructure, entrepreneurial opportunity and return-to-work intention in rural areas among well-educated rural-born youth.