Analyzing Management Accounting Impact on UK Manufacturing Firms

This report investigates the impact of management accounting practices on the financial performance of manufacturing companies in the UK. It begins by introducing management accounting as a crucial tool for assessing business operations, emphasizing techniques like variance analysis and budgeting. The rationale highlights the competitive business environment driven by technological advancements and globalization, pushing organizations to optimize profits and minimize costs. The research aims to analyze the management accounting practices adopted by UK manufacturing firms and their subsequent impact on financial performance. A literature review explores the application of management accounting theories, including contingency theory and new institutional sociology, to understand how these practices vary across organizations and contribute to strategic planning and competitive advantage. The report also delves into the determinants of monetary performance and discusses research methods, ethical considerations, and provides conclusions and recommendations for further research, focusing on enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the manufacturing sector. Desklib provides access to this report and other resources for students.

Impact of Management Accounting
Practices on UK’s Manufacturing
Companies’ Financial Performance

Table of Contents
Title.......................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Rationale...............................................................................................................................................3
Research Aim and Objectives................................................................................................................4
Research Questions...............................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review.................................................................................................................4
Application of the theories of Management Accounting...................................................................4
Determinants of monetary performance in manufacturing organizations:.......................................8
Critical Discussion................................................................................................................................9
Research Methods, Conclusion and recommendations:.....................................................................10
Research methods:..........................................................................................................................10
Introduction:................................................................................................................................10
Research design:..........................................................................................................................10
Search Strategy:...............................................................................................................................11
Keywords used for search:...........................................................................................................11
Research Ethics:...........................................................................................................................11
Conclusion:..................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................12
Recommendations:..........................................................................................................................12
Areas for further research:..............................................................................................................13
References...........................................................................................................................................14
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Title
Analyzing the Impact of Management Accounting Practices on UK’s Manufacturing
Companies’ Financial Performance
Introduction
Malmi & Granlund, (2009) has opined that the accounting techniques are used by the
business organizations to efficiently assess their operations. The techniques that prove to be
beneficial include the variance analysis, budgeting, and break even analysis. So, accounting
techniques proves to be beneficial for the business organizations to efficiently plan, direct and
control their operating costs and achieve profitability. It has been advocated by Zimmerman
& Yahya-Zadeh, (2011) that Management Accounting can be referred to as a set of
techniques and practices that facilitate the managers with all the financial information
necessary for making decision and maintaining an effective control over the corporate
resources. Advocating the advantages of Management Accounting practices, Giovannoni et
al., (2011) proposed the fact that the management accounting practices assist the
organizations to survive in the dynamic and highly competitive business environment. Thus,
on the basis of the above aspects, it can be inferred that there has been a significant change in
the basic principles of management accounting and thus has emerged as a superior practice
that adds significant value to the various organizational practices. It has been advocated by
Ramljak & Rogosic, (2012) that the practices like marginal costing and absorption costing are
not favoured by the businesses organizations since the costing systems are characterized with
certain limitations and they do provide an accurate method of recording the costs that is
important for managerial decision making. So, in comparison, the Management Accounting
Practices enable the organization to obtain relevant information that contributes to effective
decision making.
Thus, on the basis of the above aspects, the researcher in the present study has emphasized
analyzing the impact of Management Accounting Practices on the financial performance of
the firms. This would prove to be beneficial in analyzing whether the changes in the
management accounting practices have proved to be beneficial for the form or not.
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Rationale
Ahmad, (2013) has opined the fact that the contemporary business environment has become
highly competitive and as a result the business organizations have become highly dynamic
and aggressive to identify the strategies that can ensure them a profitable existence.
Competition in the business environment has been driven by rapid technological
advancements, globalization, innovation and changing customers’ demands. Thus, these
factors are driving the management of the business organization to design business strategies
and techniques for guiding the organization towards achieving maximized profits that can be
achieved by increasing sales and minimizing the production costs. Profit optimization and
cost minimization can assist the business to achieve competitive advantage within the
industry (Hopper et al., 2009). Thus, in this context it can be said that there are certain
management accounting practices that can facilitate the management with strategies for
influencing a large number of customers to have positive impression towards the brand and
have lasting preference for the products and services of the business.
From the study conducted by Sunarni, (2013), it can be said that the management accounting
practices in the recent time has undergone significant evolutions to take active participation
in the strategic planning process of the business organizations. It has also been argued by
Macintosh & Quattrone, (2010) that contemporary business organizations are efficiently
applying the management accounting skills in cases where market intelligence is needed and
strategic decisions need to be taken and competitive strategies need to be adopted and
implemented. So, on the basis of the above arguments, it can be said that management
accounting assist the firm in achieving competitive advantage in the ever demanding high
competitive business environment that demand innovative management accounting practices.
Moreover, it has also been opined by McLellan & Sherine, (2013) that the above measures in
context to management accounting practices are deemed important especially in context to
the manufacturing businesses where the firms embark upon efficiency and cost effectiveness
as a competitive for achieving profitability and growth.
The above arguments motivated the researcher to take upon the study to analyze the impact
of management accounting practices on the financial performance of the forms operating in
the UK manufacturing sector.
In addition to the above aspects, the motivation on the part of the researcher to take upon the
study can also be attributed to the personal interest of the researcher in the field of
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Accounting and Financial Management. The areas of Accounting and Financial Management
especially in context to highly dynamic, competitive and ever changing business environment
has been a part of the passion of the researcher during his academic years.
Research Aim and Objectives
The researcher in the present study has emphasized on investigating the impact of
management accounting practices on the financial performance of the business organization
operating in the UK manufacturing sector. Thus the study would emphasize on successful
achievement of the following research objectives:
 To analyze the management accounting practices adopted by the firms operating in
the UK manufacturing sector.
 To examine the impact of management accounting practices on the financial
performance of the firms operating in the manufacturing sector in UK.
Research Questions
 What management accounting practices have been adopted by the firms operating in
the UK manufacturing sector?
 What is the impact of management accounting practices on the financial performance
of the firms operating in the manufacturing sector in UK?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Application of the theories of Management Accounting
Management accounting practices are playing a crucial role in helping business
establishments to understanding their present situation in the market as compared to their
business competitors. It helps business establishments to evaluate their market performance
by helping them to understand the cash inflows and cash outflows generated from their
business. Management accounting practices helps the modern day business establishments to
identify their strengths and weaknesses in the market and this helps business establishments
to systematically eliminate the shortcomings and bottlenecks that exist within their business
functionalities (Giovannoni et al., 2011). This eventually helps an organistion to enhance
their organisational productivity and performance which in turn helps them to develop a
competitive advantage over their business competitors.
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The theories of management accounting are playing a crucial role in determining the
effectiveness of the management accounting practices which are being utilised by the modern
day business establishments to measure their financial performance in the market. There are
two management accounting theories which are playing a crucial role in the modern day
workplace and these include the contingency theory of management accounting and the new
institutional sociology of management accounting (Ahrens & Chapman, 2006).
According to Panahian, (2011) management accounting practices are bound to vary from one
organisation to the other as their business operations and industries are different from each
other. Otley, (1980) has applied the contingency theory to the process of management
accounting while describing that there is no single generalised standard of accounting
practice which is applicable to all organisations irrespective of their business setting (Smith,
2009). This theory suggests that each organisation’s management practices are determined by
undertaking a thorough evaluation of certain crucial factors (such as existing technologies
utilised with the business and the overall infrastructure of the organistion) and how these are
influencing their business operations in the market. This enables them to identify the most
suitable management accounting practices from the context of their business and this is why
management accounting practices tend to vary from one organisation to another (Oriwo,
2010).
According to Mills, (2008) manufacturing organisations are making wide scale usage of the
management accounting practices and this is helping them to evaluate their business
performance and allowing them to better control and manage their rising business expenses.
The management accounting practices are playing a crucial role in creating an accurate
organisational budget which eventually helps business establishments to allocate their
organisational resources in an effective manner. This played a crucial role in directing the
future business functionalities of an organisation. In the words of Tayles et al., (2007) the
utilisation of the management accounting practices played a crucial role in helping the
managers to understand what costs could be incurred by an organisation over the next
budgeting period and this provided them with better insights about what challenges could be
encountered by an organisation in the near future and how it would have an impact on the
cash inflows and revenues generated from their business. This eventually helps the business
establishments to effectively plan and develop their business strategies which would enable
them to realise their organisational goals and objectives in the market (Giovannoni et al.,
2011).
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On the other hand, the groundwork for the Institutional Sociology were created by Meyer and
Rowan, (1977) in their paper which tried to shed light on the puzzling observations made by
a group of researchers who were researching about the educational sector in US. Meyer and
Rowan, (1977) were able to identify the data inconsistencies and loose coupling associated
with the formal organisational structures/procedures and actual work practices which is
followed within organisations which could not be explained by the existing organisational
theories. Mills, (2008) has stated that the concept of Institutional Sociology is based on the
assumption that some organisations exhibit a highly institutionalised work environment
which prohibits effective functioning and teamwork among the staffs. This compels the
highly institutionalised organisations to move away from their existing institutionalised
structure by adopting a more informal structure and procedure which are valued and
appreciated by their staffs at the workplace (Liaqat 2006). This enables the business
establishments to achieve greater legitimacy in their daily business activities and as a result
they are able to obtain the necessary resources which are crucial for their business growth and
sustainability (Ahrens & Chapman, 2006). Whenever business establishments are operating
in similar business settings (such as similar industry or similar market environment), there
occurs a diffusion of the business forms and procedures which are being utilised by different
business establishments (Panahian, 2011).
According to Morale & Lambert, (2013) this process of diffusion has given rise to an
additional pressure on the organisational capacity which could lead to organisations
becoming isomorphic as compared to the other organisations with their organisational setting.
An essential aspect of the theory propounded by Meyer and Rowan's (1977) is how it
describes the process of decoupling of the formal produces and structures from the actual
work practices that is evident between the different institutionalized organisations (Scott,
2005). More importance and emphasis need to be provided towards the adoption of formal
work structures and procedures which could help the business establishments to acquire a
greater legitimacy of their business practices and this would eventually help the business
establishments to guarantee the timely availability of the necessary business resources which
would help them to ensure the future continuity of their business operations in the market.
This eventually helps in ensuring the future success of the organisation and at the same time
ensures that the resources are detached from the daily organisational practices which would
never compromise the normal workflow and productivity (Adler et al., 2000).
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Financial experts have often argued that business establishments must be strategic in their
response towards the institutional pressures which they are encountering in their respective
business sector. Tayles et al., (2007) has described that business establishments on their part
can either choose to adhere with the existing business regulations or they can opt for the
adoption of precise formal structures or procedures which would inherently helps them to
gain legitimacy in their business operations albeit in a manipulative manner. Thus, the
business establishments would be able to secure their future business resources and grants
which are critical to their success. Smith, (2009) on the other hand has criticised the so called
concept of decoupling from actual operations in another theory of NIS theorizing and termed
it to be a process of window dressing. There have been significant evidence of conflicts that
have resulted from the process of decoupling of the institutionalized structures from the
actual organisational practices and this has essentially challenged the definition of institution
proposed by Berger and Luckman in the year 1966 which stated that institution was merely a
reciprocal typification that showcased the normal course of actions portrayed by the different
types of actors (Mills, 2008).
While Meyer and Rowan had tried to substantiate the reliability of their theories based on
effective fact findings, this was challenged by Tolbert and Zucker, (1996). According to
Tolbert and Zucker, there was an inherent ambiguity associated with the Intuitional
Sociology theory propounded by Meyer and Rowan which arises from the use of the word
“institutionalized” within their argument (Scott, 2005). Their argument in itself contradicts
the claim that institutional structures are suitable whenever they are decoupled from the
organisational behaviour. This is mutually contradicting the fact that an organistion in order
to be institutionalised must create an organisational structure that initiates actions. Thus,
organisational structures that are not translating into actions can never be considered to be a
social structure (Scapens, 2006).
According to Wijeywardena and Zoysa, (1999) in a comparative analysis of the management
accounting practices that are followed in Japan and Australia, it has been found that there was
a difference in the adoption of management accounting practices in both these countries.
Findings from the study indicated that the Australian companies were more favourable
towards the use of cost control tools (such as standard costing, budgeting and variance
analysis) during the manufacturing stage while their Japanese counterparts placed greater
importance and emphasis on the costs reduction and cost control tools. In the words of
Wijeywardena and Zoysa, (1999) the Japanese companies were more capable and better
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equipped than the Australian companies at understanding how the business expenses needs to
be managed and controlled during the process of product planning and the different stages of
the product lifecycle than when the products have entered the stage of mass production.
Adler et al., (2000) conducted a study to understand the management accounting practices
which were being followed by the manufacturing companies in New Zealand. The results
obtained from the study indicated that there was a greater amount of emphasis provided to the
traditional management accounting techniques such as direct costing and standard costing as
compared to the more advanced management accounting techniques like strategic
management accounting.
Determinants of monetary performance in manufacturing organizations:
It is very significant for all the stakeholders of the organization to know about the financial
performance of the company but for the investors, it is most important fact to know about the
organization. There are various factors upon which the company market value depends and
they are company’s preset profitability, the risk undertaken by the company and the risk of
the company profile and also the growth of the economic capability of the company in the
market (Gichaaga, 2014). These factors are the major determinant of the expansion of the
firms that belongs in the manufacturing industry.
There are a few scholars that have gone in the opposite direction and have stated that the
shareholder’s value is dependent upon the indicators of finance that is based upon the
information of accounting. Moreover, net margin of revenue as well as net turnover are the
two factors that influences the value of the company as has been stated by some of the
scholars. The growth as well as the risk is the two significant determinants of the growth of
the firms that are there in the manufacturing industry and the business size can have a
positive influence upon the performance of the company financially (Armitage et al., 2013).
The larger business in the manufacturing industries can get more loans easily and can
increase their production output that can increase their production ability and also increase
the ability to earn more revenue.
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But there are a few recent studies that have been made which prove the fact that it is the
structure of the capital that can also be a significant determinant of performance of the
company (Abdel-Kader et al., 2008). Moreover, Barton et al., (2008) has stated that the
higher rate of revenue is very influential for the organizations in the business environment as
it can help the business to provide the funds that are necessary for later production purpose
form their retained earnings.
Critical Discussion
On the basis of the arguments of the authors in the literature review section, it can be said that
improved management accoutring practices can lead to enhanced financial performance of
the business organizations. However, in this context, it has been observed that there exist
limited researches that support the proposition. The study conducted by Dunk, (2011)
emphasized on analyzing the relationship between budgeting and financial performance of
the firms. The findings of the study revealed the fact that the formal administrative approach
to budgeting played a major role in enhancing the financial performance of the larger firms
when compared to the smaller firms. Another study conducted by Abdel-Kader & Luther,
(2006) was aimed at analyzing the role of management accounting practice in the food drinks
industry in UK. The findings of the study revealed the fact that when business organizations
move towards a more uncertain environment, the sophistication level of the management
accounting practices tend to increase. Moreover, with decrease in the power of the companies
relative to customers, the firms tend to move up the stages of evolution. The analysis revealed
the fact that the management accounting practices those are used in the food and drinks
industry are not sophisticated and the study revealed the fact that there exist little evidence in
context to how management accounting leads to value creation for the companies. A study
was conducted by Spaseska et al., (2014) on Activity Based Costing (ABC) Adoption among
the manufacturing companies. The findings of the revealed the fact that the inability on the
part of the traditional costs systems towards providing relevant cost is a major reason for
adopting ABC. It also led to the conclusion that the traditional methods that are used for the
allocation of overheads are considered to be inefficient in providing global competitiveness to
the firms. Moreover, on the basis of the findings of the study, it can be concluded that that the
it is more likely that the larger firms tend to adopt a diverse mix of products and services and
this in turn helps in making the use of ABC beneficial. The study was also observed to be
recommending the fact that the business organizations those have not adopted ABC mainly
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because of the high cost associated with adopting ABC should emphasize on adopting the
ABC in the long run since in the long run the benefits of ABC would outweigh the costs of
adopting ABC.
Thus, on the basis of the above aspects together with the aspects derived from the critical
review of the available literature, it can be said that the management accounting practices
plays an important role in enhancing the financial performance of the business organizations.
It can be also be said that the management accounting practices has an important role in
ensuring the efficiency of the management of the firm and it also leads to enhance financial
performance of the business organizations. From the discussions, it can be inferred that
effective use of management accounting practices can be related to, and associated with a
wide area of organizational performance. This suggests the fact that the management
accounting practices can be considered to be one of the crucial practices that can prove to be
beneficial in enhancing the performance of the organizations operating in the manufacturing
sector in UK. However, it has also been evidenced that the using effective management
accounting practices alone cannot lead to enhanced financial performance of the business
organizations, rather there should be other complementary synergy factors those can internal
or external to the ent3erprise that can have a significant impact on the financial performance
of the firms.
Research Methods, Conclusion and recommendations:
Research methods:
Introduction:
This chapter of the research will undertake the methodology part of the research and will
outline the design of the research as well as the search strategy that will be followed during
this research process.
Research design:
One of the most significant techniques that are used by the researcher in order to make better
understanding of the research is the design that is prepared for the research (Lewis, 2015).
This particular research will be secondary research in nature and thus will include data
collection from the secondary sources. Usage of accurate tools and techniques for the purpose
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of data collection is necessary in order to collect the data that can be used by the researcher
for analyzing them.
Search Strategy:
Due to the fact that this is a secondary research, the data will be collected form the secondary
sources or the researches that have been conducted before and the articles that have been
published in the past (Matthews et al., 2010). The search strategy included searching the
articles in the database of Google Scholar and there were altogether of 20 articles and
journals found in this particular topic of which most of them were excluded by the researcher
as most of the articles and journals were though related to the topic but were not written in
context of manufacturing industry. As this research has been conducted in the context of
manufacturing industry, the articles and journals that included the context of other market
were excluded. Moreover, some of the articles also used jargons and for that reason, those
articles were also excluded as well. Lastly, the articles that were published before the year
2008 were also excluded and thus the research was conducted with the help of three articles.
It is also worth to mention that the researcher has used keywords while searching the
database and came across the articles with which the keywords matched. Three articles that
were included during the study of the research included the research conducted by Abdel-
Kader et al., (2008), Armitage et al., (2013) and Gichaaga (2014).
Keywords used for search:
While the search was made in the database of Google Scholar, the search strategy included
searching in the database through the keywords and the keywords included management,
accounting, practices, traditional, modern, manufacturing, industry, financial, performance
and so on.
Research Ethics:
In order to make the research an ethical one, the research ethics was followed by the
researcher and throughout the research, proper references was provided form the sources
where the data has been taken during the research study. Moreover, the following of the
ethics of the research is significant as not following the ethics of the research can bring in
legal trouble for the researcher (Resnik, 2015).
Conclusion:
Thus, the above discussion proves that methodology for the research is a significant part of
the research and formation of the research methodology can guide the researcher towards
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