Mohammad Ali Fallah, Mehrdad Agha Mohammad Ali Kermani, Alireza Moini and Javad Mashayekh
The present research is trying to construct the network of relationships between different department of an organization during the design and development of car engine. Analyzing…
Abstract
Purpose
The present research is trying to construct the network of relationships between different department of an organization during the design and development of car engine. Analyzing the structure of the network, finding the patterns of collaborations, and determining the important departments are the main purposes of the present research.
Design/methodology/approach
Improving relationships during a project life is an effective way to enhance employee performance in project-oriented organizations. This paper examines the collaborative relationships between internal project stakeholders through social network analysis (SNA) in a project for the design and development of car engine. In the first step of the research, the network of internal stakeholders was studied based on collaboration in the common activities performed by the resources. Then, the network of correspondences between internal stakeholders was studied. Finally, the two networks were integrated into a single network.
Findings
In the integrated network, the “fuel and combustion department” had the largest degree centrality (i.e. highest collaboration with others). The “integration department” was found to have the highest closeness centrality (i.e. more rapid access to other nodes). Furthermore, the “procurement department” had the highest betweenness centrality (i.e. the most strategic department). Our results revealed the potential capabilities of SNA method for the project management in the vehicle industry.
Originality/value
The obtained results of the present research show us the value of applying SNA methods and concepts to analyze the inter-organizational network of the Project Stakeholders relationship.
Details
Keywords
Javad Rajabalizadeh and Hannu Schadewitz
This study investigates the impact of audit reports’ readability on informational efficiency within the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), emphasizing challenges in an emerging market…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the impact of audit reports’ readability on informational efficiency within the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), emphasizing challenges in an emerging market context characterized by voluntary IFRS adoption and the absence of Big 4 audit firms.
Design/methodology/approach
By utilizing hand-collected data from TSE-listed companies, covering 1,097 firm-year observations from 2012 to 2023, readability is assessed using three well-established indexes (Fog, Flesch–Kincaid and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook). Informational efficiency is evaluated by analyzing how stock prices align with a random walk pattern, with additional control variables including governance factors, auditor characteristics and firm-specific indicators to enhance model robustness.
Findings
The findings indicate a positive association between audit report readability and informational efficiency, suggesting that clearer and more readable audit reports help reduce information asymmetry. Control variables such as board independence and auditor tenure showed significant impacts, supporting the conclusion that governance and auditor-specific factors enhanced informational efficiency. Agency and institutional theories are used to contextualize these findings, especially within TSE’s unique regulatory environment. The study addresses endogeneity with firm fixed effects and sample selection bias through Heckman’s two-stage procedure. The absence of Big 4 auditors in Iran prompted controls for auditor size effects, supporting our findings across different audit market segments.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include potential omitted variable bias and challenges in generalizing findings beyond the TSE. Despite applying firm fixed effects and Heckman’s two-stage procedure to control for endogeneity, some residual biases may remain.
Practical implications
For regulators, auditors and investors, these findings underscore the value of promoting readability in audit reports to improve informational efficiency, particularly in emerging markets with evolving regulatory standards.
Originality/value
By focusing on audit report readability within an emerging market lacking Big 4 presence, this study offers unique insights into how readability can foster transparency and investor confidence in regions with distinct market dynamics.