In the literature, studies have evidenced the efforts adopted by firms to develop digital technology with the hope of achieving sustainable decisions and competitive performance. However, studies have yet to provide an extensive explanation of the mechanisms used by firms in their digital technology adoption to impact and enhance value, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this regard, accounting information has served as a fundamental basis for business decision-making and the extensive use of digital technology has paved the way for the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting functions in modifying information relating to such functions. More specifically, a digital accounting system (DAS) enables the reporting and processing of large transaction amounts and generates the data required for analysis. However, despite these advantages, SMEs have been slow in their adoption and usage of DASs. Accordingly, this study drew upon resource-based view theory and the technology-organization-environment framework to propose an integrated model for examining the determinants and impact of using DAS among SMEs. The proposed model encapsulates the use and performance aspect of DAS. The study utilized a self-administered survey questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. Data from 183 SMEs in Jordan were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that compatibility, organizational readiness, top management support and government support all had significant effects on DAS usage, which, in turn, had a positive and significant effect on DAS performance. With regard to the moderating effects, COVID-19 was found to have a moderating role on the DAS usage–DAS performance relationship. The study findings explain the way firms can enhance their DAS use to obtain optimum performance, thereby contributing to the literature on the antecedents and effects of using current information technology/information systems. The study recommends that the government of Jordan prepare and carry out a campaign concerning the importance of DASs for SMEs.
This study examines the extent to which the characteristics of the audit committee chair enhance the quality of financial reports and reduce the possibility for companies to receive a modified audit opinion (MAO) from an external auditor. We apply logistic regression to investigate the influence of Audit Committee Chair (ACC) characteristics on the FRQ (FRQ), for a sample of 460 firm-year observations (service and industrial company listed) on the Amman stock exchange for the years 2017–2020. This study uses the MAO as a proxy for Financial Reporting Quality (FRQ). The results of this study confirmed that the characteristics of the chair of the audit committee have significant and clear impacts on the quality and efficiency of financial reports, which is in line with previous studies that have addressed this topic. The results also indicated that researchers, academics, regulators, and policymakers should not look just at the characteristics of audit committees as a whole, given that audit committee chairs have effects on financial reports. This study presents its contribution through experimental demonstration of the characteristics of the chair of the audit committee and how these affect the financial reports of companies. It also provides a guide for benefits for working to provide a basis for organizational procedures, especially those related to the impact on corporate boards and internal and external auditing.
In the last decade, information systems (ISs) have made dynamic developments in light of their ability to enhance the performances of businesses. In relation to this, an organization that is effectively and efficiently managed often displays optimum performance using financial systems such as electronic accounting (e-accounting). Thus, essentially, e-accounting is utilized for the automation of operational processes and for improving business efficiency and performance. More currently, e-accounting dynamic development has laid credence to the performance of businesses in a way that the influence cannot be exaggerated. Nevertheless, past studies evidenced that successful e-accounting depends on critical success factors, and hence this study primarily aims to conduct an evaluation of e-accounting using DeLone and McLean’s information system model (DM ISM) among firms in Jordan. More specifically, this study determines the influence of information quality, system quality, service quality, system usage, and user satisfaction on business performance. The current study adopted a quantitative method, applying a self-administered survey questionnaire for the purpose of data collection from 104 e-accounting users. This study employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to validate the data, and based on the findings, system quality and information quality affect system use; service quality of e-accounting had no significant impact on use, but e-accounting use had a significant influence on the satisfaction of users. Moreover, e-accounting system use and user satisfaction positively influence business performance. This study is an extension of the current IS literature, particularly of those focused on determining the effects of e-accounting benefits. This study validated the proposed model in the context of Jordanian firms and contributes to both the literature on and practice of e-accounting. This study provided implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research.