IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/crpeac/v99y2024ics1045235424000352.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Toward response-able AI: A decolonial perspective to AI-enabled accounting systems in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Ndaka, Angella
  • Lassou, Philippe J.C.
  • Kan, Konan Anderson Seny
  • Fosso-Wamba, Samuel

Abstract

This research draws from decolonial, and feminist Science and Technologies Studies approaches to explore the power dynamics of accounting knowledge systems in African contexts. It investigates traditional African indigenous accounting systems, then focuses on the current accounting systems used on the continent and future accounting possibilities presented by AI. We argue that while current accounting systems used in Africa are dominantly Western-centric, AI may reproduce and amplify this structural and systemic power dominance, which has further socio-material consequences on the continent. In trying to mitigate these effects, we propose response-ability in the conceptualization, design, and adoption of AI accounting systems. Fundamentally, we aim to open a discussion for rethinking how these systems can address social issues in alternative worlds and consider alternative and indigenous knowledge systems in African contexts. Toward this end, we seek to open conversations on how accounting AI applications can be designed and adopted in ways that reflect and promote the fundamental principles of objectivity, transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness as embedded locally in African community life and values.

Suggested Citation

  • Ndaka, Angella & Lassou, Philippe J.C. & Kan, Konan Anderson Seny & Fosso-Wamba, Samuel, 2024. "Toward response-able AI: A decolonial perspective to AI-enabled accounting systems in Africa," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s1045235424000352
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2024.102736
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1045235424000352
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.cpa.2024.102736?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sy, Aida, 2010. "African critical studies," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 443-443.
    2. Fosso Wamba, Samuel & Bawack, Ransome Epie & Guthrie, Cameron & Queiroz, Maciel M. & Carillo, Kevin Daniel André, 2021. "Are we preparing for a good AI society? A bibliometric review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    3. Lassila, Erkki M., 2022. "“Free”-to-play game: Governing the everyday life of digital popular culture," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    4. Lassou, Philippe J.C. & Hopper, Trevor & Tsamenyi, Mathew & Murinde, Victor, 2019. "Varieties of neo-colonialism: Government accounting reforms in Anglophone and Francophone Africa – Benin and Ghana compared," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    5. Edward Arrington, C. & Schweiker, William, 1992. "The rhetoric and rationality of accounting research," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 511-533, August.
    6. Othmar Manfred Lehner & Kim Ittonen & Hanna Silvola & Eva Ström & Alena Wührleitner, 2022. "Artificial intelligence based decision-making in accounting and auditing: ethical challenges and normative thinking," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(9), pages 109-135, June.
    7. Manninen, Ari, 1996. "The production of knowledge in accounting," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 21(7-8), pages 655-674.
    8. Annisette, Marcia, 2000. "Imperialism and the professions: the education and certification of accountants in Trinidad and Tobago," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 25(7), pages 631-659, October.
    9. van Giffen, Benjamin & Herhausen, Dennis & Fahse, Tobias, 2022. "Overcoming the pitfalls and perils of algorithms: A classification of machine learning biases and mitigation methods," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 93-106.
    10. Elad, Charles, 2015. "The Development of Accounting in the Franc Zone Countries in Africa," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 75-100.
    11. Lassou, Philippe Jacques Codjo & Hopper, Trevor, 2016. "Government accounting reform in an ex-French African colony: The political economy of neocolonialism," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 39-57.
    12. Laughlin, Richard C., 1987. "Accounting systems in organisational contexts: A case for critical theory," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 12(5), pages 479-502, August.
    13. Abdessalam Jaldi, 2023. "Artificial Intelligence Revolution in Africa: Economic Opportunities and Legal Challenges," Research papers & Policy papers on Economic Trends and Policies 2362, Policy Center for the New South.
    14. Rahaman, Abu Shiraz, 2010. "Critical accounting research in Africa: Whence and whither," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 420-427.
    15. Andy Wynne & Stewart Lawrence, 2012. "Government Accounting in the Global South: The Design, Implementation and Use of Global Solutions for Local Needs," Chapters, in: Trevor Hopper & Mathew Tsamenyi & Shahzad Uddin & Danture Wickramasinghe (ed.), Handbook of Accounting and Development, chapter 11, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lassou, Philippe J.C. & Hopper, Trevor & Tsamenyi, Mathew & Murinde, Victor, 2019. "Varieties of neo-colonialism: Government accounting reforms in Anglophone and Francophone Africa – Benin and Ghana compared," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    2. Lassou, Philippe J.C. & Hopper, Trevor & Ntim, Collins, 2021. "How the colonial legacy frames state audit institutions in Benin that fail to curb corruption," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Hopper, Trevor & Lassou, Philippe & Soobaroyen, Teerooven, 2017. "Globalisation, accounting and developing countries," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 125-148.
    4. Rozenfeld, Gabriela Cecylia & Scapens, Robert William, 2021. "Forming mixed-type inter-organisational relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa: The role of institutional logics, social identities and institutionally embedded agency," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Alawattage, Chandana & Azure, John De-Clerk, 2021. "Behind the World Bank’s ringing declarations of “social accountability”: Ghana’s public financial management reform," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Shiraz Rahaman, Abu & Neu, Dean & Everett, Jeff, 2024. "Accounting artifacts and the reformation of a national healthcare system," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Muzanenhamo, Penelope & Power, Sean Bradley, 2024. "ChatGPT and accounting in African contexts: Amplifying epistemic injustice," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    8. Lassou, Philippe Jacques Codjo & Hopper, Trevor, 2016. "Government accounting reform in an ex-French African colony: The political economy of neocolonialism," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 39-57.
    9. Uche, Chinyere & Khalid, Sharif, 2022. "Corporate reporting on conflict: A struggle over land," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    10. Kohnert, Dirk, 2022. "Francophonie en Afrique subsaharienne: dépendance postcoloniale ou autodétermination ? [Francophonie in sub-Saharan Africa: Post-colonial dependence or self-determination ?]," MPRA Paper 115625, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Jayasinghe, Kelum & Adhikari, Pawan & Soobaroyen, Teerooven & Wynne, Andy & Malagila, John & Abdurafiu, Noah, 2021. "Government accounting reforms in Sub-Saharan African countries and the selective ignorance of the epistemic community: A competing logics perspective," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    12. Kimani, Danson & Ullah, Subhan & Kodwani, Devendra & Akhtar, Pervaiz, 2021. "Analysing corporate governance and accountability practices from an African neo-patrimonialism perspective: Insights from Kenya," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    13. Kohnert, Dirk, 2022. "French domination of markets in Francophone Africa: Post-colonialism at its finest?," MPRA Paper 112024, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Garry D. Carnegie & Christopher J. Napier, 2012. "Accounting's past, present and future: the unifying power of history," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 25(2), pages 328-369, February.
    15. Gallhofer, Sonja & Haslam, Jim & Yonekura, Akira, 2013. "Further critical reflections on a contribution to the methodological issues debate in accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 191-206.
    16. Panozzo, Fabrizio, 1997. "The making of the good academic accountant," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 22(5), pages 447-480, July.
    17. Kohnert, Dirk, 2022. "Domination française des marchés en Afrique francophone : Le post-colonialisme à son meilleur ? [French domination of Francophone African markets: Post-colonialism at its finest?]," MPRA Paper 112051, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Napier, Christopher J., 2006. "Accounts of change: 30 years of historical accounting research," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 31(4-5), pages 445-507.
    19. M. Rozaidy & A. K. Siti-Nabiha, 2023. "Reconstructing identity and logic through the implementation of accrual accounting in Malaysia: an intra-organisational analysis," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 27(1), pages 331-370, March.
    20. Seny Kan, Konan A. & Agbodjo, Serge & Gandja, Serge V., 2021. "Accounting polycentricity in Africa: Framing an ‘accounting and development’ research agenda," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s1045235424000352. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/critical-perspectives-on-accounting/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.