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Embracing ambiguity in management controls and decision-making processes: On how to design data visualisations to prompt wise judgement

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  • Paolo Quattrone

Abstract

Making decisions when managing organisations always involves the constant management of ambiguity and a great deal of complexity due to uncertainties and the intrinsic political nature of every decision-making processes. This paper argues that in order for management accounting to deal effectively with this ambiguity and uncertainty, both must be embraced, not suppressed, by the design of data visualisations produced by management controls as aids to the decision-making processes. Drawing on studies in rhetoric, alongside others on the rhetorical and communicative power of images and visualisations, this paper identifies a series of principles that can contribute to the development of a visual rhetorical framework to inform the design of data visualisation (e.g. dashboards, business reports). The need to conceive of data visualisations beyond their representational function, and the principles that are identified, are then illustrated through the visual rhetorical analysis of a complex dashboard utilised in the programme management of the construction of a large airport terminal. The paper ends with an outline of a research agenda for the future design of data visualisation in accounting, and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Quattrone, 2017. "Embracing ambiguity in management controls and decision-making processes: On how to design data visualisations to prompt wise judgement," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(5), pages 588-612, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:47:y:2017:i:5:p:588-612
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2017.1320842
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    Cited by:

    1. Chahed, Yasmine & Charnock, Robert & Du Rietz, Sabina & Joseph Lennon, Niels & Palermo, Tommaso & Parisi, Cristiana & Pflueger, Dane & Sundström, Andreas & Toh, Dorothy & Yu, Lichen, 2024. "The value of research activities “other than” publishing articles: reflections on an experimental workshop series," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121656, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Daniela Di Berardino & Faisal Anees, 2024. "Creativit? organizzativa ed individuale nelle piccole e medie imprese: il ruolo del sistema di controllo," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2024(1), pages 227-249.
    3. Giovannoni, Elena & Quarchioni, Sonia, 2019. "Exploring the generative power of performance measurement systems design," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 211-225.
    4. Yu, Lichen & Mouritsen, Jan, 2020. "Accounting, simultaneity and relative completeness: The sales and operations planning forecast and the enactment of the ‘demand chain’," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    5. Sarah Maire & Sébastien Liarte, 2018. "Building on visuals : Taking stock and moving ahead," Post-Print hal-03026729, HAL.
    6. Achilli, Giulia & Busco, Cristiano & Giovannoni, Elena & Granà, Fabrizio, 2023. "Exploring the craft of visual accounts through arts: Fear, voids and illusion in corporate reporting practices," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    7. Rebecca Vine, 2020. "Riskwork in the construction of Heathrow Terminal 2," SPRU Working Paper Series 2020-20, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    8. Ronzani, Matteo & Gatzweiler, Marian Konstantin, 2022. "The lure of the visual: Multimodality, simplification, and performance measurement visualizations in a megaproject," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    9. 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).
    10. Karin Eberhard, 2023. "The effects of visualization on judgment and decision-making: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(1), pages 167-214, February.
    11. Kinsella, Stephen, 2019. "Visualising economic crises using accounting models," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1-16.

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