The purpose of this study is to examine how broad changes in the global business environment, in general, and developments in the Omani business environment, more specifically, are impacting upon the management accounting practices (MAPs) that are used by non-oil-related Omani manufacturing companies (NOROMC). The importance of NOROMC in Oman has increased over the last three decades, as the country's leaders strategically shift away from over-dependence on revenues generated by oil-related manufacturing companies. The research in this thesis is qualitative, and it is informed by complementary socio-political theoretical frameworks - including Burns and Scapens (2000) conceptualisation of management accounting (MA, hereafter) change using institutional theory, and Hardy’s (1996) notion of power and political mobilisation. The empirical work comprises an in-depth case study, but is also preceded by a survey and follow-up interviews that have more generally explored the management accounting practices adopted by NOROMCs. First, the survey results, reinforced also by the follow-up interviews, have indicated that a majority of NOROMCs adopt traditional MAPs, rather than more contemporary MAPs. The most frequently cited reasons for the non-adoption of contemporary MAPs included: lack of affordability, incomplete knowledge, and a perception of relative efficiency in traditional MAPs. However, in terms of those companies which did adopt newer MAPs, the most common response in relation to what drives the adoption of newer MAPs, included: compliance with parent company requirements and regulations, and, more generally, the changing business environment. Having attained these results from the survey and follow-up interviews, it was felt that there was insufficient detail and understanding of the processes of new MAPs’ (non-) adoption. A case study was therefore also undertaken, to provide useful and in-depth understanding. This case study provides new insight into the process of the (non-) adoption of contemporary MAPs in NOROMCs which, in turn, supplements, but also extends, previous research, which is mostly based on questionnaire-style methods. The case study also reveals complexity in employee resistance, and highlights some of the cultural nuances that are related to the Omani setting. This thesis was undertaken in the context of recent calls for further research into MA as a changing process in emerging economies (Hopper et al., 2009). As far as the author is aware, this investigation is the first of its kind to be conducted in Oman, hence it should instantly contribute to the development of knowledge in this important area.

Many studies report a gap in the inter-relationships between different factors and the acceptance of, or resistance to, an ERP system. Specifically, there is lack of literature on the individual factors that drive or delay the adoption of advanced technologies such as the Enterprise Resource Planning system ERP. It motivated me to carry out a study that investigates the non-linear views of change, in order to provide a general picture of how external and internal factors influence employees to accept or reject an ERP system. My thesis explores individual choices and behaviours and the socio-cultural context in which the cases are set to identify the factors that influence individuals’ actions and to determine from an employee perspective whether reactions to using ERP systems are intentional or unintentional. The thesis follows an interpretive approach using two case studies in Saudi Arabia where multiple sources of evidence including interviews, document analysis and observation have been employed. Pattern matching, logic models and cross-case synthesis are used for thematically organising and analysing the case studies. The thesis discusses the relationship between factors including politics, economics, religious social culture, the culture of the company and technical issues and the behaviour of employees towards change. I will argue that those factors directly affect the behaviour ofemployees and indirectly affect the acceptance or rejection of the ERP system. The thesis extends the scope of institutional analysis by explaining how the behaviours of employees influence both the acceptance of, or resistance to, an ERP system. The thesis adds to the knowledge in the literature by showing the relationship between external and internal factors and the acceptance of, or resistance to, an ERP system in Saudi Arabia as less developed countries LDCs. Also the thesis shows how the effects of the socio-cultural landscape of the middle east cannot be ignored when exploring the factors that initiate and shape management accounting change. Practical implications: the thesis provides some examples on how external and internal factors influence the behaviour of employees in Saudi Arabia. The thesis suggests that companies can exploit the behaviour of employees to influence change and avoid resistance.

Nessa pesquisa busca-se identificar se, em empresas em que as variáveis contextuais são mais favoráveis à mudança na contabilidade gerencial, é maior o nível de sofisticação do BSC implementado. Para tanto realizou-se estudos de casos em quatro empresas que implementaram essa ferramenta. Nelas são analisadas as características do BSC implementado e como essas estão associadas a determinadas variáveis contextuais: as características organizacionais e os fatores que aceleram ou desaceleram o processo de mudança na contabilidade gerencial, ambos analisados sob a perspectiva da abordagem contingencial. Embora não seja possível generalizar os resultados, o desenvolvimento do estudo dos casos permitiu confirmar a relação entre tais variáveis contextuais e o nível de sofisticação do BSC implementado nas empresas pesquisadas. Quanto às características organizacionais, observa-se que, de modo geral, conforme crescem o nível de pressão competitiva e o tamanho da empresa, mais sofisticado é o BSC implementado, havendo apenas uma exceção, onde o BSC mais desenvolvido foi explicado por outros fatores. Quanto aos fatores de estímulos para mudanças, três fatores se destacaram, possibilitando relevantes comparações quanto aos tipos de BSC implementados nas empresas: os objetivos específicos para mudança, as necessidades externas e o envolvimento da alta gestão. A análise do grau de comunicação incorporada ao estudo dos casos mostrou que, em empresas onde o BSC é mais desenvolvido, há maior grau de comunicação da estratégia. / This study aims to identify if, in companies where the variable contextual are more favorable to the change in the managerial accounting is higher the level of sophistication of the implemented BSC. Therefore, the studies of cases were done in four companies of which had implemented this tool. In these companies the characteristics of the implemented BSC are analyzed and how these are linked and established to the changeable contextual ones: the organizational characteristics and the factors that speed up or decelerate the process of management accounting change, were both analyzed under the perspective of the contingency approach. Although it is not possible to generalize the results, the development of the study of cases allowed to confirm the relation between such contextual variables and the level of sophistication of the BSC implemented in the studied companies. For the organizational characteristics, it is observed that, in general, as the level of competition and the growth of the company increases, more sophisticated are the implemented BSC. However there is only one exception; the BSC that is more developed was obtained by other factors. In the factors of stimulating changes, three factors stood out, allowing excellent comparisons to the types of BSC implemented in the companies: the specific objectives for change, the external necessities and the engagement of the high level management. The analysis of the degree of communication incorporated to the study of the cases showed that, in companies where the BSC is more developed, it has greater degree of communication of the strategy.

Nessa pesquisa busca-se identificar se, em empresas em que as variáveis contextuais são mais favoráveis à mudança na contabilidade gerencial, é maior o nível de sofisticação do BSC implementado. Para tanto realizou-se estudos de casos em quatro empresas que implementaram essa ferramenta. Nelas são analisadas as características do BSC implementado e como essas estão associadas a determinadas variáveis contextuais: as características organizacionais e os fatores que aceleram ou desaceleram o processo de mudança na contabilidade gerencial, ambos analisados sob a perspectiva da abordagem contingencial. Embora não seja possível generalizar os resultados, o desenvolvimento do estudo dos casos permitiu confirmar a relação entre tais variáveis contextuais e o nível de sofisticação do BSC implementado nas empresas pesquisadas. Quanto às características organizacionais, observa-se que, de modo geral, conforme crescem o nível de pressão competitiva e o tamanho da empresa, mais sofisticado é o BSC implementado, havendo apenas uma exceção, onde o BSC mais desenvolvido foi explicado por outros fatores. Quanto aos fatores de estímulos para mudanças, três fatores se destacaram, possibilitando relevantes comparações quanto aos tipos de BSC implementados nas empresas: os objetivos específicos para mudança, as necessidades externas e o envolvimento da alta gestão. A análise do grau de comunicação incorporada ao estudo dos casos mostrou que, em empresas onde o BSC é mais desenvolvido, há maior grau de comunicação da estratégia. / This study aims to identify if, in companies where the variable contextual are more favorable to the change in the managerial accounting is higher the level of sophistication of the implemented BSC. Therefore, the studies of cases were done in four companies of which had implemented this tool. In these companies the characteristics of the implemented BSC are analyzed and how these are linked and established to the changeable contextual ones: the organizational characteristics and the factors that speed up or decelerate the process of management accounting change, were both analyzed under the perspective of the contingency approach. Although it is not possible to generalize the results, the development of the study of cases allowed to confirm the relation between such contextual variables and the level of sophistication of the BSC implemented in the studied companies. For the organizational characteristics, it is observed that, in general, as the level of competition and the growth of the company increases, more sophisticated are the implemented BSC. However there is only one exception; the BSC that is more developed was obtained by other factors. In the factors of stimulating changes, three factors stood out, allowing excellent comparisons to the types of BSC implemented in the companies: the specific objectives for change, the external necessities and the engagement of the high level management. The analysis of the degree of communication incorporated to the study of the cases showed that, in companies where the BSC is more developed, it has greater degree of communication of the strategy.

<p>The purpose of this study is, on the basis of institutional theory, to contribute with more</p><p>understanding about resistance to management accounting change and also to survey reasons</p><p>for the resistance and how to cope with the resistance.</p><p>The study is a qualitative case study and semi-structured interviews have been used to</p><p>complement the study’s theoretical area, consisting of scientific articles.</p><p>The conclusion from the study is that resistance to management accounting change can be</p><p>understood and explained by the institutions of each organisation and its underlying structures. A</p><p>further conclusion is, with the structures in mind there are many reasons for resistance and also</p><p>many ways to cope with the resistance. A model has been produced in purpose to create</p><p>understanding and to survey the resistance to management accounting change.</p>

Globalization has among other tendencies led to the emergence of new ways of doing business. One of the ways for organizations to meet the demands of a new competitive landscape has been through management accounting change, a field which has become increasingly popular in research. This paper builds on that research and seeks to investigate the case of the implementation of a new management accounting system in a Swedish company which was triggered by strategic change. Commonality through the interactive approach is by some researchers seen as a key to successful change. This approach is contrasted to the importance of symbolic constructs and change recipients’ cognitive effort to understand the meaning of change for which Framing theory is applied. The paper comes to the conclusion that both approaches are necessary in a change process, and shows further that their usage will depend on the process’ timeframe and change recipients’ position in the organization.

The purpose of this study is, on the basis of institutional theory, to contribute with more understanding about resistance to management accounting change and also to survey reasons for the resistance and how to cope with the resistance. The study is a qualitative case study and semi-structured interviews have been used to complement the study’s theoretical area, consisting of scientific articles. The conclusion from the study is that resistance to management accounting change can be understood and explained by the institutions of each organisation and its underlying structures. A further conclusion is, with the structures in mind there are many reasons for resistance and also many ways to cope with the resistance. A model has been produced in purpose to create understanding and to survey the resistance to management accounting change.

The budget is widely criticised for consuming time and resources without adding sufficientvalue, however, it is undeniably one of the most important tools for planning andcoordination. This case study examines a company that has abandoned the budget andreplaced it with new planning and forecasting processes to achieve a dynamic process with aforward-looking mentality and less focus on details. The objective of the study is toinvestigate the experiences of the new processes and how the ways of working have beenaffected from a management accounting change perspective, with a focus from thecontroller’s perspective. The changed planning processes are conceptualised as a part of theorganisation’s rules and routines.The findings showed that the purpose of the new processes was unclear in some respects,and although the new rules were accepted, many old routines had not yet changed.Perceived lack of system support combined with a conviction that certain aspects of the oldprocesses were essential to perform qualitative work, are two explanatory factors. The levelof detail had decreased in many aspects, but time has not yet been freed up for thecontrollers in favour of value-adding activities.

Diffusion studies are commonly associated with the dissemination of innovations across legally and economically independent organizational units. Suggesting a new perspective on the existing diffusion literature, this thesis argues that diffusion of innovations is a relevant issue to study also on a (formally) micro–level of investigation. Based on this reasoning, this thesis examines how and why a contemporary management accounting tool diffuses within a group of organizations belonging to a common corporate group. The concept in focus is the Balanced Scorecard. A high number of adopters worldwide combined with a shortage of empirically grounded scientific studies dealing with the practical Scorecard application make it a relevant tool to study. Against this background, this thesis also aims to enhance our knowledge on what it means to adopt and to maintain a Balanced Scorecard in practice. To address these aims, this study presents the results of an in-depth case study of a large-sized multinational firm. The empirical data describes a five-year BSC adoption and implementation process in five business divisions; all of them active in the communications business. Diffusion of innovations studies, supplemented by management accounting implementation studies form a first part of the theoretical framework developed. In an effort to create an even richer understanding of the data, a network perspective is additionally applied in a second analytical step. The findings of this thesis indicate that applying theory of diffusion on a micro–level requires using a process-approach of study. Under this pre-condition, the study portrays the intra-firm Balanced Scorecard diffusion as a complex process—unpredictable in its nature and highly dependent on groups of individuals and their interests. The Balanced Scorecard is identified as a management fashion. Confirming experiences made with established management accounting tools, organizational resistance prolongs its implementation process. Parts of this resistance are identified as being related to the Scorecard concept itself, while others appear to be non-specific to the tool examined.

Per molte aziende, ristrutturazione e riduzione dei costi sono al centro dell’agenda strategica. Come sottolinea anche la recente letteratura, la crisi economica scoppiata nel 2008, e tuttora in atto, sta esercitando una forte pressione sulle modalità di funzionamento dei sistemi di controllo in generale e di cost management più in particolare. Il presente lavoro di tesi si pone l’obiettivo di comprendere come si originano e si sviluppano i processi di innovazione nei sistemi di cost management in contesti aziendali caratterizzati da fenomeni di cambiamento e quali sono le condizioni di efficacia nell’implementazione di tali interventi. Per perseguire tale obiettivo, vengono analizzati tre casi, riletti alla luce di un modello neoistituzionalista di cambiamento aziendale. Contrariamente alla tradizionale predilezione della letteratura scientifica per un approccio meramente tecnico al tema dei sistemi di cost management, la tesi dimostra come un’efficace gestione degli stessi richieda la comprensione dell’esito dell’interrelazione di variabili ambientali e istituzionali esterne e dinamiche organizzative e istituzionali interne. / For many organizations, restructuring and cost management are key issues in their strategic agenda. As highlighted by the recent literature on management accounting, the current economic crisis is putting enormous pressure on the functioning of cost management systems in most organizations in the world. The main objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between management accounting change (i.e., cost management initiatives) and organizational change. The thesis relies on qualitative data collected through three longitudinal case studies. The analysis draws on a neo-institutional framework which integrates the insights of recent neo-institutional works in accounting. Our findings show that cost management systems cannot be considered only as technical mechanisms. In fact, an effective implementation of cost management initiatives requires the comprehension of the complex interrelationships between competitive and institutional variables and intraorganizational dynamics.