MGMT617 Research Methods: Management Accounting in Australia

2. Define your research problem based on existing literature, using the literature review that you wrote for assessment 2

Answer:

Task 1: Introduction: 

The emergence of emerging technology in the finance and economy has facilitated a paradigm shift in the management accounting for business corporations. The rapidly changing dynamics by the virtue of emerging technologies have however incorporated complexities in operation and processing (Akkeren, Buckby & MacKenzie, 2013). Previous research has suggested that the most of the western accountants have failed to adapt to the changing technology in accounting in finance, especially in Australia.

Background: 

The changes in the accounting interfaces and techniques by the virtue of internet and groundbreaking technology have undoubtedly simplified and eased the process of accounting management. The effective operation of these technologies is not an easy pursuit for the accountants worldwide, and in Australia specifically the struggle to adapt to the new age technology in accountancy is paramount (Bahador & Haider, 2013). This research proposal will evaluate the major facilitators behind the lack of adaptability to the changing dynamics of accounting management taking the Australian accountants as an example.

Aims and objectives: 

• To explore the major changes being facilitated in the accounting management.
• To determine the contributing factors behind the struggle to adaptation in the accountants to the changing technologies.
• Evaluate the facilitators and hindrances to successful adaptation in the accounting management.
• String together a set of recommendations that can help in eradicating the hindering factors.

Research questions:  

• What are the major changes that have been brought forward in the accounting management scenario in the last few years?
• What are the contributing factors hindering adaptation of the accountants to these technologies?
• What are the roles of these factors in restricting the accounting employees to adapt to thes4e technological improvisations?
• How can these restricting factors be overcome in the real world scenario?

Task 2: Literature review: 

The economy has been changing ever since the onset of global financial crisis and the wave of recession it brought along with it as a parting gift. The recession has thereafter dealt the rising tide of the economy with a number of hard blows which has shaken the very foundation of the money market. Hence the managers of the money market have also encountered a long series of changes in the processes and operation of accounting management (Bahador & Haider, 2013). The exploratory studies that have been carried out in the past on the changes in the accounting management and the reception that they have received, and the verdict in all directions have directed at the conspicuous struggle in the accountants to adapt to these changes. It has to be understood that the technological improvisations to accounting management was to computerize and centralize the accounting operational structure and allow the accountants enough time to invest in other sectors and simplify the account management procedure. The centralized information system by the virtue of technologies and integrated software, the accountants were expected to find financial coding and processing much easier and have enough time to analyse and interpret the information produced. However the complicated usage and operation of these softwares have not been very helpful in the accountants in adapting to technologies in the accounting brought forward by the global domination of centralized informative systems in all the corporate sectors (Van Akkeren, Buckby & MacKenzie, 2013).

Majority of the academic literature on the changes in the accounting management sectors, have attested to the fact that technological additions in the accounting scenario have attempted to incorporate an integrative approach. however many of the researchers have also agreed on the fact that there are a number of gaps left behind in the scenario that restricts the employees to adapt to this apparent much easier and centralized route to accounting (Lungu et al., 2012).

One of the major contributing factors in this situation restricting the complete adaptation to the changes has been the lack of training and skill in the accountants. Moorthy and his co-authors in their article on the needs for more integrated skills in the accounting sector top survive with the changing scenarios (Moorthy et al., 2012). It should not escape notice that centralized systems based on internet interfaces and softwares are the boon for this tech-savvy century, and the lack of proper training in the employees will only drag down the success of the corporation associated with it.

Another important factor to this scenario that we tend to overlook in most cases, the organizational structure and workplace environment also plays an important role in facilitating change. Fouché in his article has opined on flat organizational structure, lack of collaborative and stimulating environment, team work and emphasis on core competencies are also the key drivers of change in the accounting management sector (Fouché, 2013). Now the future of the accounting management lies on the capability of the business organizations to shift their focus on training the employees to provide efficient operational skills along with the technical skills to adapt to the centralized system of account management (Van Akkeren, Buckby & MacKenzie, 2013).

Task 3: Research Methodology 

This section of the research proposal deals with the methods and techniques that are used in the conducting the study. Proper justification for each kind of methods that has been used is also provided. The proper data collection methods have also been mentioned along with the methods of proper that have been used for data collection.

Research Philosophy

The aim of research philosophy is to identify the essence and importance of the study and the subject area. The interprevuatism research philosophy is based on the facts that are related to human experience in the relevant subject area. On the other hand the positivism research philosophy is based on the scientific techniques that are proven and hence it is possible to get the desired results.

The current research work the investigators will use positivism philosophy as it is possible to use both quantitative and qualitative method of data analysis. The positivism research philosophy will also help to apply the current scientific evidences that are available to deal with the challenges of application of Technology. 

Type of Research Investigation       

According to Taylor et al., (2015), there are three types of research investigation that can be used in the all types of investigation work. The descriptive type of research design is used in various types of investigation that examines all the major types of theory and models that are relevant to the subject area of the research. The exploratory research design is being applied, where there is no relevant theory that is present. The hypothesis testing is also another kind of research design and investigation type, where the investigator applies certain relevant hypothesis that is made in accordance with the subject area of the research (Flick, 2015).

In this particular research work, that is aimed to deal with the major challenges that are faced by the accountants with the application of technology, the investigators will apply the exploratory type of investigation as there are not many existing theories relevant to the use of technology in the accounts department. The researchers also have no major idea related to the challenges that are faced by the accountant with the application of the technology in the account department. It is also possible for the researcher to use the conclusive type of research design that will help the investors to apply the major decisions in the relevant research work. The quantitative type of research work can also be applied in the following cases. 

Sampling Size

There are two types of sampling method that can be used with the researchers in order to collect relevant information related to the subject area of the research. Based on the type of the research sampling Method can be probable and non probable methods. The investigator can also use mixed method of Data Collection which can help them to collect information from various relevant sources (Panneerselvam, 2014).

In case of probability sampling the sample size of Data Collection is not fixed and the investigator can conduct interview or survey by selecting random group of people who are included within the sample size of the research. On the other hand in case of non probability sampling methods the sample size of the research work is fixed.

In the given research was the researcher will collect information using non probable sampling methods. Research sir will conduct survey of 50 employees, who are currently working in the accounts department. The research will also conduct interview of 10 managers of accounts department.   

Data collection methods

The process of collecting data and relevant information is one of the most important parts of the research work that helps in the matter of making suitable conclusion and discussion of the research work. Tarone et al., (2015), have mentioned that there are two types of data collection methods that can be used by the investigators. In the primary form of data collection, the researcher will depend on the first hand source to gather necessary information. These kinds of data are generally collected from survey and interview of the selected sample size. It is important for the surveyors to have a perfect set of questionnaires in order to collect sufficient information from the sample of the research.

The secondary data on the other hand is collected from all the journals and peer-reviewed journals and articles that help in the matters of collecting information from all the previously conducted research work. It is important for all the investigators to use authentic and relevant data bases that are relevant and trustworthy.

In the current research work the researchers will collect information by conducting interview from the workers in the accounts department that help in the overall process of understating the challenges faced by the workers due to the implication of the technology. It is also possible in this context to collect necessary information from the managers of the accounts department to get the idea about the future plans that will be implemented in order to deal with the challenges of the department that is caused due to the implication of technology.    

Data analysis

It is important to use proper method of data analysis in order to interpret and make suitable conclusion from the collected data. In quantitative method of data analysis all the fragments of information that are being collected arrange systematically in order to properly evaluate and interpret. It is also possible to deal with it is also possible to deal with the relevant sample size with the help of quantitative data analysis method (Billig, & Waterman, 2014).

In case of qualitative data analysis method the investigators will use relevant existing theories in order to compare the data that are being collected from the selected sample size.

The current research will use both quantitative and qualitative mode of data analysis in order to properly interpret the challenges that are faced by the workers in the accounts department due to the implication of modern technology.

Ethical issues

The ethical issues are few of the important relevant factors that need to be considered by the researchers in order to ensure that the result of the research is trustworthy and valid for future reference.  It is also important to follow a fixed code of ethics in order to properly carry out the research work and also collect necessary information (Singh & Tewari, 2015). While conducting the survey of the research work it is important to ensure that proper permission are taken from the participants in order to take their opinion about the matters relevant to the research work. 

Conclusion

With the help of the above mentioned research methods, it is possible for the investigators to deal with the issues related to the topic of the research work. They can thus, properly identify the challenges that are faced by the workers of the accounts department due to the implication of technology.

References:

Akkeren, J. V., Buckby, S., & MacKenzie, K. (2013). A metamorphosis of the traditional accountant: An insight into forensic accounting services in Australia. Pacific Accounting Review, 25(2), 188-216.

Bahador, K. M. K., & Haider, A. (2013). The Maturity of Information Technology Competencies: A Case of Accounting Practitioners in the Malaysian Accounting Service. In PACIS (p. 240).

Billig, S. H., & Waterman, A. S. (Eds.). (2014). Studying service-learning: Innovations in education research methodology. Routledge.

Flick, U. (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Sage.

Fouché, J. P. (2013). A renewed call for change in accounting education practices. International Journal of Education Sciences, 5(2), 137-150.

Lungu, C. I., Caraiani, C., Dasc?lu, C., Cimpoeru, V., Radu, M., Cimpoeru, V., ... & Istrate, A. M. (2012). Integrating Sustainability Into The Accounting Education: A Fashionable Or A Necessary Change?. Amis 2012, 233.

Moorthy, M. K., Voon, O. O., Samsuri, C. A. S. B., Gopalan, M., & Yew, K. T. (2012). Application of information technology in management accounting decision making. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2(3), 1.

Panneerselvam, R. (2014). Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..

Singh, A., & Tewari, P. C. (2015). A Research Methodology for the Effective Implementation of JIT Based Production System in Indian Automotive Industries. In 2nd Mechanical Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (MEGRES), March (Vol. 21).

Tarone, E. E., Gass, S. M., & Cohen, A. D. (2013). Research methodology in second-language acquisition. Routledge.

Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.

Van Akkeren, J., Buckby, S., & MacKenzie, K. (2013). A metamorphosis of the traditional accountant: An insight into forensic accounting services in Australia. Pacific Accounting Review, 25(2), 188-216.