ACC8000 Research in Accounting Practice

ACC8000
Research in Accounting Practice
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Contents
Question 1........................................................................................................................................3
Research Plan...............................................................................................................................3
A. Research Objective.................................................................................................................3
B. why a qualitative approach is more appropriate for addressing the research objectives........3
C. the population from which participants will be selected.........................................................3
D. How the sample size will be determined, (how will you determine the number of
participants?)................................................................................................................................4
E. How the sample of participants will be selected from the population (once you have
determined the number of participants, how will you select them?............................................4
F. How will the data be collected from participants....................................................................4
G. Provide examples of three questions to participants; for each question explain how it is
linked to the research objectives..................................................................................................4
h. What steps should be taken to analyse the collected data?......................................................5
I. What are the possible limitations to applying the findings to other non-accounting
organisations that are considering implementing a 20 hour work week?....................................6
Question 2........................................................................................................................................7
Question 3........................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
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Question 1
Research Plan
In this research plan, it is been created in such matter which viable to gathering data showing the
budgetary participation of employees. These research plans contain objectives of research,
examples of questions, sample size and approach of a collection of data.
A. Research Objective
Research’s main objective is - “To assess the importance of mobile advisory services “.
This research helps to find what and which types of disputes arise and the problem facing while
practising the services. Therefore some other vital objectives of the research are as follows:
1. Define the problems facing the staff while practising mobile advisory services.
2. To define the advantages of advisory services for employees.
3. To get a proposal from employees in order to improve mobile advisory services.
B. why a qualitative approach is more appropriate for addressing the research
objectives
The objective of the researcher is to define the advantage of services and to assess any changes if
needed. To know the objective, needed information will be taken from the employee. Good
research focuses on the collection of expositive information for research. This research has a
feature which emphasis on detail information in place of data depends on figures and quantity
related (Kothari, Ramanna & Skinner, 2010). To gain the research objective respondent data
assist to collect compatible information. Therefore it is clear that qualitative approach is the more
appropriate than quantitative approach.
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C. the population from which participants will be selected
With the purpose to collect data, the accounting firm will be the populate research to choose
sample and respondents. The population included the number of employees in the firm.
D. How the sample size will be determined, (how will you determine the
number of participants?)
Data collected from 120 employees of the firm, which is enough size of the sample for research.
E. How will the sample of participants were selected from the population
(once you have determined the number of participants, how will you select
them?
Random sampling technique is suitable for research. In this technique, each sample has equal
chance to be chosen. This technique avoids the biases of samples also. This is the reason behind
choosing this technique (Graham, Raedy & Shackelford, 2012).
F. How will the data be collected from participants
There are two types of methods refers to data collections one is a primary and secondary method.
Primary data are collected from researcher while secondary data is available from different
sources .Hence in this research primary method is more useful to collect data. One of the
methods in primary data collection is a survey (Bloomfield, Nelson & Soltes, 2016). By this
process, the various question will be asked by respondent and they will give thoughts on the
given questions. The question asked in this process are related to functions of services .narrative
data will be more useful to conclude the research.
G. Provide examples of three questions to participants; for each question
explain how it is linked to the research objectives.
Questions which asked related to mobile advisory service as a sample in order to collect the
information or data are given below (Evans, 2012). Therefore these questions will help in
research to meet an objective:
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Question 1- What is your opinion that mobile services are easy while practising?
Link with research objective – Respondent will answer that question. The answer given by
respondent will help to evaluate the feasibility. Apart from this, it is useful to find out the
difficulties facing the employee.
Question 2- What are the benefits of exercising mobile advisory services?
Link with research objective – this question assists to find out the views of the employees with
regards to the advantage of mobile advisory services for the staff.
Question 3- What type of improvement shall be made in the mobile advisory services? Please
recommend your suggestions.
Link with research objective –This question makes easy to evaluate the mobile advisory services.
On opinion of the staff on services, it can be evaluated that are the current services areas on the
mark or need any changes (Lambert, 2010). For accessing the required or not in services can be
derived from this question.
h. What steps should be taken to analyse the collected data?
Data must be collected in qualitative form. Steps for following data analyzing technique are as
follows-
 Total data should be recorded and properly. Totally focus on that there will be no mistake
take place while recording data because no biases will take place in data which is
mistakenly recorded.
 Data collected from recording should be consolidated in a suitable manner. It is caused if
the data is placed properly and suitably that helps to understand and find out rational
information (Grafton, Lillis & Mahama, 2011).
 From the survey some coded are available for the main set of field records, views on
personal images should be mentioned in the margin.
 For the recognition of themes, phrases, patterns, the distinct transformation between
relationship and the subgroups should be classified and categorized through data.
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 These difference should be sorted, the commonalities process as well as the pattern and
taking out form field subsequently tendency of data collection.
 If it goes in deep a precise could be overlooked and this will cover the persistence as
differ in the database.
 By an official body of familiarity, this overview should be studied and in term of theories
or constructs.
I. What are the possible limitations to applying the findings to other non-
accounting organisations that are considering implementing a 20 hour work
week?
The outcome of this research has limited scopes in terms of instrument referral to the outcomes
compared to other non-accounting organization as they believe to offer advisory services of
mobile. Ample of protestation arise and faced in the non-accounting organization when it deals
with the customer by mobile. There is one more limitation exists with the non-accounting
organization for providing advisory service mobile i.e. the information of the client is not secure.
Information is considered as a very important dimension for any organization. Hence it becomes
a very important part when protecting the penetrative information of customer and or
organization as to keep secure that there will be no harm and damage take place in order to
disclose such sensitive data for own purpose. It can be assumed that outcomes of the research
will be restricted to the non-accounting organization.
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Question 2
Difference between Sequential explanatory and Sequential exploratory design
To understand the matter with reference to mixed method research, the data collection research is
performed through analysis of both types of research. This mix method research is very helpful
to find out the problems arises while conducting research.
Sequential Exploratory Design
In this method examination of quantitative data incorporate and used in form of quantitative data
(Giesinger, 2018). It is a chance in which total responsibility is given to quantitative data to
define the result. It includes the phases of the study. The resultant advisability of sequential
exploratory design are given below –
1. The procedures of an emergent theory are evaluated which are resulting as of the qualitative
research.
2. To develop and discover qualitative results.
3. Different samples make qualitative results very simple, it becomes very easy objective to
shape the publicity and incidence take place in a particular population (Hoffman & Whittingham,
2017).
4. New tools are already experimented and updated.
Sequential Explanatory design
Examination of qualitative data included in this process. Hereafter quantitative data evaluated
qualitative data; this is for the examining of this stage. In sequential explanatory design the
responsibility of qualitative data findings are very satisfactory (Andrew & Halcomb, 2009). It is
a very convenient sequential explanatory design because:
a. It helps in defining the appropriate context and illustrates the quantitative findings.
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b. For expecting some more dimensions in addition to unexpected results from the quantitative
study (McCrudden & McTigue, 2018).
Question 3
Literature
This section has a brief discussion on the various articles which are directly or indirectly linked
up with the methodology of motivating the employed in taking an active part in setting the
budget and also the measures to achieve them. There are such countries in which individuals are
at a higher rate and the power distance is low. The below articles are concerned with such
countries. There are many articles which give information on the employees who participate in
the budget.
Article 1
An overall analysis of participation budgeting advantages and essential factors for an effective
implementation in economic entities. This process encourages the exchange of required
information among the internal seniors and subordinates, proper allocation of resources are done,
progress in the achievement of budget, employees are motivated. The design of the participation
is effective.
Article 2
Participative budgeting, budget evaluation and organization trust in post-secondary education
institutions in Canada
Benefits- A survey was conducted the university which gave positive results. It allowed an
individual to work at every level of administration. The voice and the understanding was
increased and could reach the Management.
Justification- a survey was conducted in the university and the colleges of Canada. This survey
has confirmed that the participation in budget has positive benefits in the institute.
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Article 3
Participative budgeting and managerial performance in the Nigerian food products sector
The survey revealed that there is a significant relationship between the managerial performance
and participation in budget. The survey has recommended that all those are involved in the
budget preparation should be educated the budgetary control. The lower level managers should
be included in the same process.
Justification- this study is based on the survey conducted in the Honeywell Superfine Foods
Limited in Lagos states among the different managerial levels. The survey has 80% of responses.
Article 4
Participatory budgeting and managerial performance on conditions of information asymmetry
Benefits- the survey was done in 35 hospitals and reply from 30 hospitals was received.
Significant effect of budget is observed on managerial performance and asymmetry information.
Justification- the following goals are achieved in this study- influence of budget participation on
managerial performance, influence of budget participation on information asymmetry, to know
the effect of budget participation on the managerial performance.
Finding from Article
The countries which were included in this article were French countries. There was a
comparative study done from the data which was collected from the countries like Singapore and
Malaysia. The study has highlighted the employees of country Singapore are not motivated by
low individuals for their participation in the budget preparation there is a high power distance
found. A study to know the as how the performance of the management can be improved was
conducted- the results were very effective and practical to be implemented. It was analysed that
the employees get a special importance in the firm when they are included in the important
process of the company as preparing the budget (Gregory, 2015). The study also provides the
result as the performance of the management can be improved with the participation in the
preparation.
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The study conducted to know how to motivate the employees to get better results. It was
analysed that by just giving the employees right to participate in the most important discussion of
the company as preparation of budget has motivated the employees. They got a feeling of their
value in the firm. The employees get motivated and start working towards the achievement of the
get goals and this is a positive action for the company. A study was made in which relation was
to be found between Goal commitment, budget preparation and the employees’ performance.
There was a connection found between participation of employees for the setting the budget and
between the performance of the employees to achieve the budget.
Arguments
The study has further arguments under which there were some more aspects of the motivations to
the employees. The other findings included the low effect on the employees of the setting of the
budget. The findings highlighted some factors.
This is also affected the working of the employees other than the participation in the setting of
the budget. Achievement of the budget can be a difficult task for the employees. The employees
are demotivated in achieving the budget as they have participated in the preparation. The
employees know the heights of the budget and this fails the motivation in them. This puts a
negative effect on the achievement of the budget. The employees feel a low esteem and cause of
which the performance is affected.
Significance of Cultural
Culture cross communication is the result of dimensions of culture which is the base and further
results of the mixed culture. This theory of Hofstede's has cleared that the society has an impact
on inherent culture is the result of culture dimensions. The common representation of the culture
dimensions is seen in the society. These are the values from the head of the family or some
special person lead to the cultural values. When the culture dimensions are linked with the
business aspects a specific and significant fact is formed. A manager can upgrade himself only
by working in the international business market that to successfully performing his task. With the
difference in the culture different features of business are also experienced. A culture dimension
has raised the scope of the culture of the power distance with the individuals. Below are details
of the same.
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 Power distance - the power distance is followed from below to top and not from top to
down. A range is finalized between organizations and the societies as to agree on a
common point for the power differences this range is known as the power distance. When
there is a proper management in the company, proper distribution of power and no
misuse of power the culture has an inequality of expectation in the society all these bring
an aspect which characterizes the autocracy in leadership, the level of the hierarchy. On
the other hand there are such organizations in which distance of small powers accepted in
result of which the characteristics like they have small supervisory staff in each section, a
flat structure is followed which also has a decentralized of power, the management has to
face a lack question revels on the management there’s is the biggest loss to the firm as the
employees lack in acceptance.
 Individuality - working in a group and maintaining the norms of a group give strength to
an individual. The concept of individuality can be expressed as the employees motivated
to work in a group. The main concern of the individuality dimension is to keep all the
personal interest aside and work for the common goal. Prime importance should be given
to the collective goal which is above all the personal interest (Yuen, 2018). The
individuals have their own characteristics as their personal thoughts and ideas, unique
beliefs, movements on pleasure, the stress of work, the stress of relationships on work as
well as personal, their personal independence all these aspects should not be barriers in
achieving the common goals of the group.
Effect of Culture in Preparation of Budget
The budget preparation has a great impact on the cultural dimensions. There are different points
highlighted by Lau and Eggleton. The individuality and power distance both have their own
impacts which were discussed above. There are many examples of the difference in the culture as
were individualism is high on the other hand some places the power distance is high. All depends
on the culture of the countries. Australia has discouraged high individuality in the budget
participation. The power distance was exhilarated on a very high level. The culture made it
possible to work in groups in the country. The matter was upside down in Singapore. This
country has supported the individuality dimensions of the culture (Williams & Seaman, 2001).
Here the power distance was superseded by the individuality. It’s is very clear that the power
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distance can only be in existence when the individualities are low and similarly individuality
while flourishing only when there is low power distance. They both are opposite to each other
and both cannot be together in the participation in the preparation of the budget.
Other factors affect budget preparation
The culture dimensions are not the only factor which affects the prepared the budget there are
some more such factors which are discussed here.
A. Internal Faith
The internal faith between the management and the subordinates is very important. If due to any
reason such faith is missing then the working of the subordinate is affected in a negative way and
the work of such subordinates are not perfect as desired. In the preparation of budget if the
employees do not have trust and faith they will lack interest in the preparation of budget this can
also affect the working of other workers (Watson, 2017).
This is the companies want to have a high budget for their firms than they should maintain the
trust, faith of the employees so that they can be motivated and maintain coordination.
B. Level of Budget
The employees are neglected from the participation in the preparation of budget when the top
managers of the management so the preparation of budget themselves. The budget preparation is
high and the employees are not included in such preparation (Wong & Lui, 2013).
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Conclusion
Budget is the backbone of any company. The estimation of the expenses and the incomes are set
in the budget for a particular time. Preparation of budget is a crucial task. It has many factors to
be considered and various estimates are to be calculated. The budget cannot be prepared just by
considering one aspect of the business or it cannot be based on the grounds of expenses or
income. The budget should be prepared by keeping in mind the past and present facts. The
preparation of budget has two aspects. They can be divided into two parts internal and external.
The internal budget preparation is done with the participation of the company management and
related employees. The stakeholders are included in the preparation of budget when the external
budget is prepared.
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