Outsourcing the Information System: Determinants, Risks, and Implications for Management Control Systems

74 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2014 Last revised: 14 Jul 2014

See all articles by Margaret H. Christ

Margaret H. Christ

University of Georgia - Terry College of Business

Natalia M. Mintchik

University of Cincinnati - Department of Accounting

Long Chen

George Mason University - Department of Accounting

James Lloyd Bierstaker

Villanova University - School of Business

Date Written: May 15, 2014

Abstract

Organizations are outsourcing traditional functions that have financial reporting implications, such as transaction processing and valuation assessments, with increasing frequency. This practice of outsourcing aspects of the information system transforms the control structure of the outsourcing company and creates new challenges for management and accountants that are not explicitly addressed by current research. In this paper we synthesize academic literature and regulatory guidance on using third parties to perform functions with financial reporting implications (i.e., service organizations) and identify specific opportunities for future accounting research. To provide structure to our review and highlight knowledge gaps, we develop an organizing framework that links existing theories of outsourcing determinants to outsourcing risks and identifies the advantages and limitations of certain control mechanisms to mitigate such risks. Very little academic research exists on the use of service organizations, despite the rapid growth of this practice and regulators’ concerns that financial reporting quality may suffer due to inappropriate management oversight and audit deficiencies. We provide insights for future research on (1) factors influencing companies’ decisions to outsource the information system, (2) risks that arise when companies outsource the information system, and (3) implications for management control systems.

Keywords: Outsourcing, Business Process Outsourcing, service organizations, performance risk, relational risk, management control systems

JEL Classification: D23, L22, M41

Suggested Citation

Christ, Margaret H. and Mintchik, Natalia M. and Chen, Long and Bierstaker, James Lloyd, Outsourcing the Information System: Determinants, Risks, and Implications for Management Control Systems (May 15, 2014). Journal of Management Accounting Research, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2465173

Margaret H. Christ (Contact Author)

University of Georgia - Terry College of Business ( email )

Athens, GA 30602-6254
United States
706-542-3602 (Phone)

Natalia M. Mintchik

University of Cincinnati - Department of Accounting ( email )

Cincinnati, OH 45221-0211
United States

Long Chen

George Mason University - Department of Accounting ( email )

4400 University Dr
Mail Stop 5F5
Fairfax, VA Virginia 22030
United States
7039934532 (Phone)

James Lloyd Bierstaker

Villanova University - School of Business ( email )

800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085-1678
United States

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