Accountability in accounting from the perspective of Islam by the focus on Structuration Theory

Document Type : Science - Research (Islamic Financial Accounting)

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student of Accounting, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

2 Accounting Department, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting Faculty of Management at University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

5 Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Accountability-based accounting theoretical framework emphasizes the need for accountability in the accounting system. The present study, considering the importance of sociological theories in accounting knowledge and using Islamic theoretical foundations, seeks to investigate this important issue. The purpose of this study is to explain the concept and components of accountability in accounting from the perspective of Islam with a focus on Structuration Theory. The present article is in the category of qualitative research that has been done in line with the purpose of the research by reviewing scientific and Quranic texts and interviewing 15 Quranic science experts and faculty members of public and private universities in the fields of accounting, sociology, and Islamic sciences. In this study, the obtained information was analyzed by the theme analysis method. The research tools in the qualitative section were in-depth and semi-structured interviews and the research sample was selected using a combination of non-probabilistic, purposeful judgment, and snowball methods. According to the research findings, accountability approach, accountability levels, accountability dimensions, accountable elements, accountability principles, accountability reinforcement were identified as the main research themes that explain the components and model of accounting accountability from the perspective of Islam in the framework of Structuration Theory. The results show that the Islamic model, focusing on agency in Structuration Theory, covers the weaknesses of this theory, including ignoring ethics and strong intentions in an agency. Strengthening agency will lead to strengthening the structure and finally strengthening social systems. This will lead to the flourishing of accountability language in the accounting system.

Keywords

The Holy Quran.
Ahrens, T., & Chapman, C. S. (2006). Theorizing Practice in Management Accounting Research. Handbooks of Management Accounting Research, 1, 99-112.
Babajani, J. (1389). Benefits of Performing Performance Auditing in the Country and its Role in Accountability. Quarterly Journal of Auditing Knowledge. 1 (1), 46-16 (In Persian).
Babajani, J; & Dehghan, H. (1384). The Role of Government Financial Accounting and Reporting in Performing and Evaluating Accountability from the Perspective of Respondents and Respondents. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Studies in Financial Accounting, 3 (12 and 13), 26-1 (In Persian).
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
Coker, O. (2012). Accountability in Non-Governmental Organizations: Theory and Practice, Phd dissertation, King's College London, 154-177.
Conrad, L. (2014). Reflections on the Application of and Potential for Structuration Theory in Accounting Research. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 25(2), 128-134.
Dadashi Kalaei, F; Saffar Heydari, H; & Sharifzadeh, H. (1397). Principles and Methods of Teaching Responsibility in Islamic Teachings. Quarterly Journal of Research in Islamic Education, 26 (41), 153-177 (In Persian).
Dianti Deilami, Z; Manteghi, K; & Mashhadi, S, P. (2016). Examining the Necessity of Islamic Accounting: from the Perspective of Academic Experts. Bi-Quarterly Journal of Value and Behavioral Accounting, 1 (1), 24-1 (In Persian).
Englund, H., & Gerdin, J. (2011). Agency and Structure in Management Accounting Research: Reflections and Extensions of Kilfoyle and Richardson. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 22(6), 581-592.
Englund, H., & Gerdin, J. (2014). Structuration Theory in Accounting Research: Applications and Applicability. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 25(2), 162-180.
Englund, H., Gerdin, J., & Burns, J. (2017). A Structuration Theory Perspective on the Interplay between Strategy and Accounting: Unpacking Social Continuity and Transformation.
Exchange, F; & Mohammadi, M. (1396). Examining Corporate Governance and Accountability with Emphasis on Quranic verses. Journal of Accounting and Auditing Studies, 6 (21), 66-85 (In Persian).
Farmer, F; & Gholami Jamkarani, R. (1398). Anthony Giddens's Construction Theory and its Role in Determining the Organizational Accountability Model in the Accounting System. Journal of Management Accounting and Auditing Knowledge, 8 (30), 41-58 (In Persian).
Gholami Jamkarani, R; Nicomram, H; & Rahnamye Roodpashti, F. (2013). The Need for a Theoretical Framework for Financial Reporting with an Islamic Approach from the Perspective of Professional and Academic Experts. Bi-Quarterly Journal of Islamic Financial Research, 3 (5), 35-72 (In Persian). DOI: 10.30497 / ifr.2013.1648
Giddens, A. (1384). Central Issues in Social Theory: Action, Structure, and Contradiction in Social Analysis. (Mohammad Rezaei, Translator). Tehran: Saad. (1979) (In Persian).
Giddens, A. (1984). The Constitution of Society. Berkeley. University of California Press.
Hajizadeh, M; & Avarjeh, M. (1393). Social Responsibility in the Holy Quran with Emphasis on the View of Allameh Tabatabai in Al-Mizan. Bi-Quarterly Quran in the Mirror of Research, 1 (1), 156-123 (In Persian).
Ijiri, Y. (1382). On the Conceptual Framework Based on Accountability (Jafar Babajani and Amir Pouriansab, Translators). Journal of Accounting Studies, 1 (3), 172-155 (In Persian).
Ijiri, Y. (1983). On The Accountability-Based. Conceptual Framework. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier Publishing Co. Inc
Javaheri, M, R. (1397). The Globalization of Islam and the Globalization of Islam ‌ The Face of Western Globalization (In Persian). https://www.taghrib.org/en/article
Kabanda, S., & Brown, I. (2017). A Structuration Analysis of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Adoption of E-Commerce: The Case of Tanzania. Telematics and Informatics, 34(4), 118-132.
Kamaruddin, M. I. H., & Auzair, S. M. (2020). Measuring ‘Islamic Accountability’in Islamic Social Enterprise (ISE). International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management.
Kamaruddin, M. I. H. H., Auzair, S. M., Rahmat, M. M., & Muhamed, N. A. (2021). The Mediating Role of Financial Governance on the Relationship between Financial Management, Islamic work Ethic and Accountability in Islamic Social Enterprise (ISE). Social Enterprise Journal.
Kheyolahi, F; & Nadri, M. (1394). Decision Making Techniques in Management Accounting from an Islamic Perspective, Bi-Quarterly Islamic Financial Research, 4 (8), 69-96 (In Persian). DOI: 10.30497 / ifr.2015.1727
Macintosh, N. B., & Scapens, R. W. (1991). Management Accounting and Control Systems: a Structuration Theory Analysis. Journal of Management Accounting Research, 3(3), 131-158.
Makarmashirazi, N. (2013). Thematic Interpretation of the Holy Quran, Qom: Message of Light (In Persian).
Mattessich, R. (1995). Critique Of Accounting. USA. Quorum Books.
Parker, J. (1386). Construction (Hossein Ghazian, Translator). Tehran: Ney (2000) (In Persian).
Razi, S, S. (1379). Nahj al-Balaghah (Hossein Ansarian, Translator). Tehran: Message of Freedom (In Persian).
Razzaqi, A. (1396). The Impact of Islamic Legal System on Financial Reporting Framework and the Concept of Accountability, the First National Conference on New Management Studies in Iran (In Persian).
Roberts, J., & Scapens, R. (1985). Accounting Systems and Systems of Accountability- Understanding Accounting Practices in their Organisational Contexts. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 10(4), 443-456.
Roberts, J. (2014). Testing the Limits of Structuration Theory in Accounting Research. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 25(2), 135-141.
Rostamian, M, A. (1393). Responsibility and Conscientiousness from the Perspective of the Qur'an and the Narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt, Quarterly Journal of the Wisdom of the Ahl al-Bayt, 1 (2), 50-31 (In Persian).
Sajjadi, S, H; Shiri, Y; & Mohammadi, N. (1396). International Accounting. Tehran: Termeh (In Persian).
Saghafi, A; & Seidi, H. (1382). Normative Theories; A Bridge between Reality and the End of Accounting. Journal of Experimental Studies in Financial Accounting, 1 (2), 61-82.
Sobhani Nejad, M; & Najafi, H. (1393). Dimensional Analysis of Responsibility in Islamic Lifestyle. Siraj Munir Quarterly, 4 (16), 170-151 (In Persian).
Sotoudeh, R; Faghani, M; & Pife, A. (1399). Assessing the Ability of Internal Processes of the Court of Audit to be Accountable to users. Journal of Public Accounting, 7 (25), 193-208 (In Persian).
Shirvani, A. (1378). The General Structure of Islamic Ethics. Ghobat Quarterly, 4 (13), 52-38 (In Persian).
Tabatabai, M, H. (1393). Balance in the Interpretation of the Qur'an. Qom: Ismailis (In Persian).
Zaid, O. A. (2000). The Appointment Qualifications of Muslim Accountants in the Middle Ages. Accounting Education, 9(4), 329-342.
  • Receive Date: 06 October 2021
  • Revise Date: 23 November 2021
  • Accept Date: 27 November 2021