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The 'performativity thesis' and its critics: Towards a relational ontology of management accounting

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  • Ed Vosselman

Abstract

This paper explores accounting's mediating role in bringing theoretical statements from economics into life. It addresses the so-called performativity thesis that claims that economic theory does not just observe and explain a reality, but rather shapes, formats and performs reality. Accounting mediates in that process by creating cognitive boundaries that embed societal practices in economic theory. However, the performativity thesis is not without criticisms. Its main criticisms concern a lack of proof of the thesis; an overestimation of the power of economics to extend beyond the virtual; and a lack of a critical stance. In order to bring more nuance in the discussion on the performativity thesis the paper reflects on evidence from the field of accounting. The review of accounting studies reveals how accounting, to different degrees, is implicated in strategic and operational activities in markets and organisations and how it is a performative mechanism of economisation. Moreover, in order to accentuate the 'good' in society and to challenge the 'bad', the paper suggests a further development of (critical) management accounting research into the performativity of both economics and other social theories. A relational ontology of management accounting that is in politics and that is sensitive to 'unlocalisable' virtual powers of social-historical formations of management accounting may be developed.

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  • Ed Vosselman, 2014. "The 'performativity thesis' and its critics: Towards a relational ontology of management accounting," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(2), pages 181-203, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:44:y:2014:i:2:p:181-203
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2013.856748
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    Cited by:

    1. Faulconbridge, James R. & Muzio, Daniel, 2021. "Valuation devices and the dynamic legitimacy-performativity nexus: The case of PEP in the English legal profession," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    2. Cecilia Langella & Niccol? Persiani, 2022. "Il sistema delle procedure amministrativo-contabili della GSA: il caso di Regione Lombardia e Regione Veneto," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(122), pages 59-84.
    3. Antonio Leotta, 2015. "Capitalizing and controlling development projects as joint translations. The mediating role of the information technology," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(2), pages 101-134.
    4. Oleh Pasko, 2017. "Impact of Calculative Practices on Innovation," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 4, pages 66-74, December.
    5. Verdier, Marie-Anne & Boutant Lapeyre, Jennifer, 2023. "The myth of workforce reduction efficiency: The performativity of accounting language," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    6. Daniela Ruggeri & Carmela Rizza, 2017. "Accounting information system innovation in interfirm relationships," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 203-225, May.
    7. Yang, ChunLei & Modell, Sven, 2015. "Shareholder orientation and the framing of management control practices: A field study in a Chinese state-owned enterprise," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 1-23.
    8. Carmela Rizza & Daniela Ruggeri, 2016. "The performativity of Accounting Information System in interfirm relationships," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(1), pages 71-89.
    9. van Erp, Wil & Roozen, Frans & Vosselman, Ed, 2019. "The performativity of a management accounting and control system: Exploring the dynamic relational consequences of a design," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(4).
    10. Kuokkanen, Niina, 2024. "A problematizing review of the financialization of living beings," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    11. Warren, Liz & Seal, Will, 2018. "Using investment appraisal models in strategic negotiation: The cultural political economy of electricity generation," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 16-32.
    12. Boedker, Christina & Chong, Kar-Ming & Mouritsen, Jan, 2020. "The counter-performativity of calculative practices: Mobilising rankings of intellectual capital," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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