The impact of contingencies on management accounting system development

Reid, Gavin and Smith, Julia (2000) The impact of contingencies on management accounting system development. Management Accounting Research, 11 (4). pp. 427-450. ISSN 1044-5005 (https://doi.org/10.1006/mare.2000.0140)

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Abstract

Four hypotheses relevant to the contingency theory of management accounting are presented. Data relate to the period 1994–98 for a sample of new Scottish microfirms. First, correlation analysis is applied to test the hypothesis that the introduction of management accounting system (MAS) developments is related to the timing of contingent events such as cashflow crises, shortfalls of finance, and innovation. Second, cluster analysis is used to test the hypothesis that contingencies cluster to form three configurations of small firms, adaptive, running blind, and stagnant. Third, regression analysis is used to test the hypothesis that an index of organizational form, measured by weighted headcount, is explained by aspects of the generic contingencies, technological uncertainty, production systems, business strategy and market environment. The fourth hypothesis is that MAS complexity is determined by sub-unit interdependence, market dynamics, and work methods. The four hypotheses tested support several aspects of contingency theory, as modified to a small firms context.

ORCID iDs

Reid, Gavin ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9446-9760 and Smith, Julia ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6186-1723;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)