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Experiencing institutionalization: the development of new budgets in the UK devolved bodies

Author

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  • Mahmoud Ezzamel
  • Noel Hyndman
  • Åge Johnsen
  • Irvine Lapsley
  • June Pallot

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to examine an early stage of the institutionalization of accounting practices in devolved UK governments, concentrating on: the construction by devolved bodies of a “rational” set of planning and budgeting documents; the extent of homogeneity/heterogeneity in organizational response to seemingly similar institutional pressures; and politicians' cognition of accounting numbers. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses neo‐institutional theory to examine the planning and budgeting documents of the devolved bodies and material gathered from semi‐structured interviews. Findings - The findings point to a process of nested translations, from mission through aims and objectives to targets, with accounting numbers present only in the last stage whereby time‐bounded targets are formulated and used to assess achievements. Because of the negotiations around the diverging interests of actors, the translation process is neither linear nor stable. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the literature by: examining the emergence and use of new accounting and budgeting systems in political organizations; understanding the experience of institutionalization of accounting practices; and exploring the impact of accounting reform on political deliberation and joined‐up government.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahmoud Ezzamel & Noel Hyndman & Åge Johnsen & Irvine Lapsley & June Pallot, 2007. "Experiencing institutionalization: the development of new budgets in the UK devolved bodies," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 20(1), pages 11-40, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:v:20:y:2007:i:1:p:11-40
    DOI: 10.1108/09513570710731191
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mahmoud Ezzamel & Noel S. Hyndman & Åge Johnsen & Irvine Lapsley & June Pallot, 2004. "Has Devolution Increased Democratic Accountability?," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 145-152, June.
    2. Meyer, John W., 1986. "Social environments and organizational accounting," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 11(4-5), pages 345-356, July.
    3. Mahmoud Ezzamel, 2002. "Accounting for Private Estates and the Household in the Twentieth‐Century BC Middle Kingdom, Ancient Egypt," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 38(2), pages 235-262, June.
    4. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(2), pages 135-135.
    5. Covaleski, Mark A. & Dirsmith, Mark W. & Michelman, Jeffrey E., 1993. "An institutional theory perspective on the DRG framework, case-mix accounting systems and health-care organizations," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 65-80, January.
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    1. Modell, Sven & Vinnari, Eija & Lukka, Kari, 2017. "On the virtues and vices of combining theories: The case of institutional and actor-network theories in accounting research," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 62-78.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/6741 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Ozdil, Esin & Hoque, Zahirul, 2017. "Budgetary change at a university: A narrative inquiry," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 316-328.
    4. Adhikari, Pawan & Kuruppu, Chamara & Matilal, Sumohon, 2013. "Dissemination and institutionalization of public sector accounting reforms in less developed countries: A comparative study of the Nepalese and Sri Lankan central governments," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 213-230.
    5. Asifiwe Kyando & Abdiel Abayo & Gwahula Raphael, 2022. "Determinants of the extent of usage of accounting information by Public Accounts Committee in Tanzania public corporations: Moderating role of effective communication," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(9), pages 205-221, December.
    6. Staci A. Kenno & Michelle C. Lau & Barbara J. Sainty, 2018. "In Search of a Theory of Budgeting: A Literature Review," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), pages 507-553, December.
    7. Farrar, Jonathan, 2011. "Tax fairness in Canadian government budgets: How fair is ‘fair’?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 365-375.
    8. Saliterer, Iris & Korac, Sanja, 2013. "Performance information use by politicians and public managers for internal control and external accountability purposes," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(7), pages 502-517.
    9. Arwan Gunawan & Winwin Yadiati & Harry Suharman & K. Poppy Sofia, 2020. "Linkages to Budgetary Control and Budgetary Absorption Performance," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 10(5), pages 304-316.
    10. Stergiou, Konstantinos & Ashraf, Junaid & Uddin, Shahzad, 2013. "The role of structure and agency in management accounting control change of a family owned firm: A Greek case study," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 62-73.
    11. Norma Pontet Ubal, 2016. "Cost Accounting Systems and Institutional Theory: Analysis in a Uruguayan Terminal Port," International Journal of Management Sciences, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 7(5), pages 249-263.
    12. Andrews, Matthew R., 2009. "Isomorphism and the Limits to African Public Financial Management Reform," Scholarly Articles 4415942, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

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