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The Managerial Implications of Positive and Normative Accounting Theories

Year 2020, Volume: 23 Issue: 1, 305 - 317, 30.04.2020
https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.677771

Abstract

Managers as decision makers need to know the relationship between the accounting procedures and the tools that influence the accounting reports such as stock and bond prices. By doing so, managers need to consider accounting theories which provide the such complex relationships by using large numbers of observations and carefully constructed empirical tests. The two leading theories placed in the accounting literature are positive and normative accounting theories. This study seeks to provide a critical examination and assessment about these two theories from manager’s point of view. The hypotheses discussed include those to which Watts and Zimmerman responded and as well as several other critiques based on managerial implications. This paper also comprises multifarious discussions that are related to the manager implications, made by the well-known accounting theory researchers.

Thanks

I would like to thank professor Baki YILMAZ for his valuable comments and academic contribution on this paper.

References

  • AAA, American Accounting Association. (1977). Committee on Concepts and Standards for External Financial Reports. American Accounting Association.
  • Anthony M. Tinker, Merino, Barbara D. and Neımar, Marılyn Dale (1982). The Normative Origins of Positive Theories: Ideology and Accounting Thought. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 7 (2), 167-200.
  • Boland, Lawrence A and Gordon, Irene M (1992). Criticizing Positive Accounting Theory. Contemporary Accounting Research, 9 (1), 142-170.
  • Bourmistrov, A. (2017). Mental models and cognitive discomfort Why do users reject even a small change in a financial accounting report. Pacific Accounting Review, 29 (4), 490-511.
  • Brigitte Eierle and Schultze, Wolfgang (2013). The Role of Management as a User of Accounting Information: Implications for Standard Setting. Journal Of Accounting And Management Information Systems(Forthcoming), 33.
  • Chambers, R. J. (1993). Positive Accounting Theory and the PA Cult. Abacus, 29 (1), 1-26.
  • Coetsee, D. (2010). The role of accounting theory in the development of accounting principles. Meditari Accountancy Research, 18 (1), 1-16.
  • Deegan, Craig (2006). Financial Accounting Theory (2nd Ed.). Sydney: MCGraw Hill.
  • Elitas, Cemal, Mustafa, U. C. and Akyüz, Yılmaz (2011). Muhasebe Teorileri Üzerine Bir İnceleme. An Analysis On Accounting Theories, 11 (34), 39-49.
  • Ertuna, Özer (2017). Muhasebe Teori Ve Uygulamalarından Beklentiler. Accounting and Financial History Research Journal, 12, 6-28.
  • Ertuna, Özer (2019). Muhasebe Teori ve Uygulaması: Bugünü ve Yarını. Muhasebe ve Finans Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 17, 28-46.
  • Gökten, Pınar Okan. (2013). Positive accounting theory and an empirical study related with the choice of accounting policies, (PhD), Gazi, Ankara.
  • Hans ten Rouwelaar, Jan Bots and Ivo De Loo (2018). The influence of management accountants on managerial decisions. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 19 (4), 442-464.
  • Healy, Paul M. (1985). The Effect of Bonus Schemes on Accounting Decisions. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 7, 85-107.
  • Hendriksen, Eldon S. and Breda, Michael F. van (1991). Accounting Theory. Boston: Irwin Professional Publishing.
  • Hopwood, Anthony (2010). 'If only there were simple solutions, but there aren't': some reflections on Zimmerman's critique of empirical management accounting research. European Accounting Review, 11 (4), 777-785.
  • Ijiri, Yuji (1975). Theory of Accounting Measurement. Sarasota,Fla: American Accounting Association.
  • Inanga, Eno L. and Schneider, Wm Bruce (2005). The failure of accounting research to improve accounting practice: a problem of theory and lack of communication. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 16 (3), 227-248.
  • Ittner, Christopher and Larcker, David (2010). Empirical managerial accounting research: are we just describing management consulting practice? European Accounting Review, 11 (4), 787-794.
  • Jackson, Scott B., Rodgers, Theodore C. and Tuttle, Brad (2010). The effect of depreciation method choice on asset selling prices. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 35 (8), 757-774.
  • Jansen, E. P. (2015). Participation, accounting and learning how to implement a new vision. Management Accounting Research, 29, 45-60.
  • Jansen, E. Pieter (2018). Bridging the gap between theory and practice in management accounting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 31 (5), 1486-1509.
  • Jeanjean, Thomas and Ramirez, Carlos (2009). Back to the Origins of Positive Theories: A Contribution to an Analysis of Paradigm Changes in Accounting Research. Accounting in Europe, 6 (1), 107-126.
  • Jones, Stewart, Romano, Claudio and Ratnatunga, Janet. (1995). Developments in Positive Accounting Theory. (Editör: Accounting theory: A contemporary review. Sydney: Harcourt Brace and Company.
  • Kabir, Humayun (2011). Positive Accounting Theory and Science. Journal of Centrum Cathedra, 136-149.
  • Kabir, Humayun (2015). Normative accounting theories. Dhaka University Journal of Business Studies, 26 (1), 87-123.
  • Kacır, Ümit (2018). Pozitif Muhasebe Teorisinin Gelişimine İlişkin Kavramsal Bir Çalışma. International Journal of Academic Value Studies, 4 (22), 914-921.
  • Lukka, Kari and Granlund, Markus (2002). The fragmented communication structure within the accounting academia: the case of activity-based costing research genres. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 27 (1), 165-190.
  • Malmi, Teemu and Granlund, Markus (2009). In Search of Management Accounting Theory. European Accounting Review, 18 (3), 597-620.
  • Mangos, Nicholas C. and Lewis, Neil R. (1995). A socio‐economic paradigm for analysing managers′ accounting choice behaviour. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 8 (1), 38-62.
  • Mattessich, R. (1995). Conditional-Normative Accounting Methodology - Incorporating Value Judgments and Means-End Relations of an Applied Science. Accounting Organizations and Society, 20 (4), 259-284.
  • Michael, Gaffikin (2007). Accounting Research and Theory: The Age of Neo-empiricism. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, Vol 1, Iss 1, Pp 1-19 (2007)(1), 1.
  • Nalçın, Kemal and Can, Ahmet Vecdi (2016). Bilgi Felsefesi Temelinde Muhasebe Araştirmalarinin Yönelimi: 2006-2012 Yillari Arasinda Türkiye’de Yapilan Doktora Tezlerinin Analizi. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 9 (4).
  • Osho, Augustine E and Adeniyi, Adebambo (2018). The Relevance of Accounting Theory on Business Financial Performance in Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 14 (25).
  • Ozili, P. K. and Outa, E. (2019). Bank earnings management using commission and fee income The role of investor protection and economic fluctuation. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 20 (2), 172-189.
  • Richard Baker, C. (2017). The influence of accounting theory on the FASB conceptual framework. Accounting Historians Journal, 44 (2), 109-124.
  • Samaha, K. and Khlif, H. (2016). Adoption of and compliance with IFRS in developing countries A synthesis of theories and directions for future research. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 6 (1), 33-49.
  • Santoso, Muhammad Rifky and Sebayang, Minda Muliana br (2017). A Glimpse Of Positive Accounting Theory (Pat). Junior Scientific Researcher, Vol 3, Iss 3, Pp 70-77 (2017)(3), 70.
  • Scott, William R. (2006). Financial Accounting Theory (5. Baskı). Toronto: Pearson.
  • Scott, William R. (2015). Financial Accounting Theory (7. Baskı). Toronto: Pearson.
  • Singleton-Green, Brian (2016). Discussion of “articulating accounting principles. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 17 (2), 136-138.
  • Sinha, Suyash Kamal (2008). Positive Accounting Theory: A Critique. ICFAI Journal of Accounting Research, 7 (4), 7-16.
  • Sterling, Robert R. (1990). Positive Accounting: An Assessment. Abacus, 26 (2), 97-135.
  • Tucker, Basil and Parker, Lee (2013). In our ivory towers? The research-practice gap in management accounting. Accounting and Business Research, 44 (2), 104-143.
  • Ulusan, Hikmet and Doğan, İbrahim (2008). Muhasebe Politikası Seçimi: Pozitif Muhasebe Teorisi ve Ekonomik Belirleyiciler-Ampirik Bir Çalışma. Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 26 (1), 229.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1978). Towards a Positive Theory of the Determination of Accounting Standards. Accounting Review, 53 (1), 112.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1986). The Role of Accounting Theory. (Editör: Positive Accounting Theory. New Jersey: PrentkelHall International, Inc.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1990). Positive Accounting Theory: A Ten Year Perspective. Accounting Review, 65 (1), 131-156.
  • Waweru, Nelson M., Prot Ntui, Ponsian and Mangena, Musa (2011). Determinants of different accounting methods choice in Tanzania. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 1 (2), 144-159.
  • Whittington, Geoffrey (2007). Profitability, Accounting Theory and Methodology, London: Routledge
  • Zafeer, Nagdee (2016). Accounting bases of theory: Why they matter. Risk Governance & Control: Financial Markets & Institutions, Vol 6, Iss 4-1, Pp 167-174 (2016)(4-1), 167.
  • Zimmerman, Jerold L. (2001). Conjectures regarding empirical managerial accounting research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 32 (1), 411-427.

Pozitif ve Normatif Muhasebe Teorilerinin Yönetimsel Etkileri

Year 2020, Volume: 23 Issue: 1, 305 - 317, 30.04.2020
https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.677771

Abstract

Karar vericiler olarak yöneticilerin muhasebe prosedürleri ile hisse senedi ve tahvil fiyatları gibi muhasebe raporlarını etkileyen araçlar arasındaki ilişkiyi iyi anlamaları gerekmektedir. Bunu yapmak için, yöneticilerin çok sayıda gözlem ve ampirik testlerin kullanıldığı bu tür karmaşık ilişkileri açıklayan muhasebe teorilerini dikkate almaları gerekir. Muhasebe literatüründe öne çıkan iki muhasebe teorisi, pozitif ve normatif muhasebe teorileridir. Bu çalışma, yöneticinin bakış açısından bu iki teori hakkında eleştirel bir inceleme ve değerlendirme sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Tartışılan hipotezler arasında Watts ve Zimmerman'ın yanıt verdiği ifadeler ve yönetimsel çıkarımlara dayanan diğer bazı eleştiriler yer almaktadır. Bu makale aynı zamanda, iyi bilinen muhasebe teorisi araştırmacıları tarafından yapılan yönetici sonuçlarıyla ilgili çok yönlü tartışmalara da değinmektedir

References

  • AAA, American Accounting Association. (1977). Committee on Concepts and Standards for External Financial Reports. American Accounting Association.
  • Anthony M. Tinker, Merino, Barbara D. and Neımar, Marılyn Dale (1982). The Normative Origins of Positive Theories: Ideology and Accounting Thought. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 7 (2), 167-200.
  • Boland, Lawrence A and Gordon, Irene M (1992). Criticizing Positive Accounting Theory. Contemporary Accounting Research, 9 (1), 142-170.
  • Bourmistrov, A. (2017). Mental models and cognitive discomfort Why do users reject even a small change in a financial accounting report. Pacific Accounting Review, 29 (4), 490-511.
  • Brigitte Eierle and Schultze, Wolfgang (2013). The Role of Management as a User of Accounting Information: Implications for Standard Setting. Journal Of Accounting And Management Information Systems(Forthcoming), 33.
  • Chambers, R. J. (1993). Positive Accounting Theory and the PA Cult. Abacus, 29 (1), 1-26.
  • Coetsee, D. (2010). The role of accounting theory in the development of accounting principles. Meditari Accountancy Research, 18 (1), 1-16.
  • Deegan, Craig (2006). Financial Accounting Theory (2nd Ed.). Sydney: MCGraw Hill.
  • Elitas, Cemal, Mustafa, U. C. and Akyüz, Yılmaz (2011). Muhasebe Teorileri Üzerine Bir İnceleme. An Analysis On Accounting Theories, 11 (34), 39-49.
  • Ertuna, Özer (2017). Muhasebe Teori Ve Uygulamalarından Beklentiler. Accounting and Financial History Research Journal, 12, 6-28.
  • Ertuna, Özer (2019). Muhasebe Teori ve Uygulaması: Bugünü ve Yarını. Muhasebe ve Finans Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 17, 28-46.
  • Gökten, Pınar Okan. (2013). Positive accounting theory and an empirical study related with the choice of accounting policies, (PhD), Gazi, Ankara.
  • Hans ten Rouwelaar, Jan Bots and Ivo De Loo (2018). The influence of management accountants on managerial decisions. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 19 (4), 442-464.
  • Healy, Paul M. (1985). The Effect of Bonus Schemes on Accounting Decisions. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 7, 85-107.
  • Hendriksen, Eldon S. and Breda, Michael F. van (1991). Accounting Theory. Boston: Irwin Professional Publishing.
  • Hopwood, Anthony (2010). 'If only there were simple solutions, but there aren't': some reflections on Zimmerman's critique of empirical management accounting research. European Accounting Review, 11 (4), 777-785.
  • Ijiri, Yuji (1975). Theory of Accounting Measurement. Sarasota,Fla: American Accounting Association.
  • Inanga, Eno L. and Schneider, Wm Bruce (2005). The failure of accounting research to improve accounting practice: a problem of theory and lack of communication. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 16 (3), 227-248.
  • Ittner, Christopher and Larcker, David (2010). Empirical managerial accounting research: are we just describing management consulting practice? European Accounting Review, 11 (4), 787-794.
  • Jackson, Scott B., Rodgers, Theodore C. and Tuttle, Brad (2010). The effect of depreciation method choice on asset selling prices. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 35 (8), 757-774.
  • Jansen, E. P. (2015). Participation, accounting and learning how to implement a new vision. Management Accounting Research, 29, 45-60.
  • Jansen, E. Pieter (2018). Bridging the gap between theory and practice in management accounting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 31 (5), 1486-1509.
  • Jeanjean, Thomas and Ramirez, Carlos (2009). Back to the Origins of Positive Theories: A Contribution to an Analysis of Paradigm Changes in Accounting Research. Accounting in Europe, 6 (1), 107-126.
  • Jones, Stewart, Romano, Claudio and Ratnatunga, Janet. (1995). Developments in Positive Accounting Theory. (Editör: Accounting theory: A contemporary review. Sydney: Harcourt Brace and Company.
  • Kabir, Humayun (2011). Positive Accounting Theory and Science. Journal of Centrum Cathedra, 136-149.
  • Kabir, Humayun (2015). Normative accounting theories. Dhaka University Journal of Business Studies, 26 (1), 87-123.
  • Kacır, Ümit (2018). Pozitif Muhasebe Teorisinin Gelişimine İlişkin Kavramsal Bir Çalışma. International Journal of Academic Value Studies, 4 (22), 914-921.
  • Lukka, Kari and Granlund, Markus (2002). The fragmented communication structure within the accounting academia: the case of activity-based costing research genres. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 27 (1), 165-190.
  • Malmi, Teemu and Granlund, Markus (2009). In Search of Management Accounting Theory. European Accounting Review, 18 (3), 597-620.
  • Mangos, Nicholas C. and Lewis, Neil R. (1995). A socio‐economic paradigm for analysing managers′ accounting choice behaviour. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 8 (1), 38-62.
  • Mattessich, R. (1995). Conditional-Normative Accounting Methodology - Incorporating Value Judgments and Means-End Relations of an Applied Science. Accounting Organizations and Society, 20 (4), 259-284.
  • Michael, Gaffikin (2007). Accounting Research and Theory: The Age of Neo-empiricism. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, Vol 1, Iss 1, Pp 1-19 (2007)(1), 1.
  • Nalçın, Kemal and Can, Ahmet Vecdi (2016). Bilgi Felsefesi Temelinde Muhasebe Araştirmalarinin Yönelimi: 2006-2012 Yillari Arasinda Türkiye’de Yapilan Doktora Tezlerinin Analizi. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 9 (4).
  • Osho, Augustine E and Adeniyi, Adebambo (2018). The Relevance of Accounting Theory on Business Financial Performance in Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 14 (25).
  • Ozili, P. K. and Outa, E. (2019). Bank earnings management using commission and fee income The role of investor protection and economic fluctuation. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 20 (2), 172-189.
  • Richard Baker, C. (2017). The influence of accounting theory on the FASB conceptual framework. Accounting Historians Journal, 44 (2), 109-124.
  • Samaha, K. and Khlif, H. (2016). Adoption of and compliance with IFRS in developing countries A synthesis of theories and directions for future research. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 6 (1), 33-49.
  • Santoso, Muhammad Rifky and Sebayang, Minda Muliana br (2017). A Glimpse Of Positive Accounting Theory (Pat). Junior Scientific Researcher, Vol 3, Iss 3, Pp 70-77 (2017)(3), 70.
  • Scott, William R. (2006). Financial Accounting Theory (5. Baskı). Toronto: Pearson.
  • Scott, William R. (2015). Financial Accounting Theory (7. Baskı). Toronto: Pearson.
  • Singleton-Green, Brian (2016). Discussion of “articulating accounting principles. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 17 (2), 136-138.
  • Sinha, Suyash Kamal (2008). Positive Accounting Theory: A Critique. ICFAI Journal of Accounting Research, 7 (4), 7-16.
  • Sterling, Robert R. (1990). Positive Accounting: An Assessment. Abacus, 26 (2), 97-135.
  • Tucker, Basil and Parker, Lee (2013). In our ivory towers? The research-practice gap in management accounting. Accounting and Business Research, 44 (2), 104-143.
  • Ulusan, Hikmet and Doğan, İbrahim (2008). Muhasebe Politikası Seçimi: Pozitif Muhasebe Teorisi ve Ekonomik Belirleyiciler-Ampirik Bir Çalışma. Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 26 (1), 229.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1978). Towards a Positive Theory of the Determination of Accounting Standards. Accounting Review, 53 (1), 112.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1986). The Role of Accounting Theory. (Editör: Positive Accounting Theory. New Jersey: PrentkelHall International, Inc.
  • Watts, Ross L. and Zimmerman, Jerold L. (1990). Positive Accounting Theory: A Ten Year Perspective. Accounting Review, 65 (1), 131-156.
  • Waweru, Nelson M., Prot Ntui, Ponsian and Mangena, Musa (2011). Determinants of different accounting methods choice in Tanzania. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 1 (2), 144-159.
  • Whittington, Geoffrey (2007). Profitability, Accounting Theory and Methodology, London: Routledge
  • Zafeer, Nagdee (2016). Accounting bases of theory: Why they matter. Risk Governance & Control: Financial Markets & Institutions, Vol 6, Iss 4-1, Pp 167-174 (2016)(4-1), 167.
  • Zimmerman, Jerold L. (2001). Conjectures regarding empirical managerial accounting research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 32 (1), 411-427.
There are 52 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Derleme
Authors

Ömer Kavrar 0000-0003-3295-6093

Publication Date April 30, 2020
Submission Date January 21, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 23 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Kavrar, Ö. (2020). The Managerial Implications of Positive and Normative Accounting Theories. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, 23(1), 305-317. https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.677771

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