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The South African retail sector encounters fierce competition, escalating operational expenses, and swiftly evolving consumer behaviour. In this context, cost efficiency is crucial for maintaining profitability and competitiveness. Notwithstanding these challenges, numerous merchants persist in employing conventional costing systems that depend on generalised allocation bases, such as direct manpower or machine hours, frequently leading to cost distortions and erroneous price decisions. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) presents a more accurate option by elucidating cost drivers and resource utilisation. This study evaluates the efficacy of ABC in improving cost efficiency within South African retail firms by analysing its impact on cost allocation precision, operational performance, and financial decision-making. A mixed-methods research strategy was utilised, integrating quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to produce a thorough knowledge of ABC implementation. Structured questionnaires distributed to financial managers and cost analysts yielded quantifiable information regarding the correlation between ABC adoption and cost efficiency. Qualitative interviews examined managerial attitudes, implementation obstacles, employee opposition, and organisational preparedness. The research is grounded in a post-positivist framework, emphasising both statistical correlations and practitioner insights to comprehend the operation of ABC within intricate retail contexts. Research demonstrates that ABC enhances cost transparency, pricing precision, and the capacity to attribute costs to certain activities. Retailers employing ABC exhibited enhanced resource alignment and successfully identified and eradicated non-value-adding processes. Nonetheless, considerable obstacles, such as implementation expenses, data intricacy, technological constraints, and reluctance to adapt, were observed, especially among small and medium-sized shops deficient in sophisticated information systems and analytical capabilities. The research underscores the significance of organisational capabilities, digital readiness, and ongoing training for effective ABC implementation. This article analyses how Activity-Based Costing (ABC) might improve cost efficiency in publicly traded South African retail enterprises. The study was theoretically grounded in Cost Behaviour Analysis, the Theory of Constraints, and the Resource-Based View. By integrating cost behaviour, operational bottlenecks, and organisational capabilities into the assessment of Activity-Based Costing (ABC), it contributes to the theoretical framework. The explanatory mixed-method sequential design utilised both survey data (n = 100) and interviews (n = 12). Research demonstrates that Activity-Based Costing significantly impacts cost allocation precision, operational efficacy, and financial outcomes. Regression analysis demonstrates a strong positive link between the adoption of ABC and cost efficiency (b = 0.62, p < 0.01). However, there are difficulties to adoption, including technological limitations, high expenses, and staff resistance. The research will contribute to the strategic cost management literature and provide practical guidance to retail enterprises in emerging economies.

The aim of this study is to explore the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central. Despite the vital role MSMEs play in the area's economic landscape, there is a lack of research on the specific success dimensions used by these businesses. A cross-sectional and descriptive research design was employed for this study, utilising a quantitative approach. 217 MSMEs in the retail sector of Durban Central received structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, was conducted using SPSS version 29. The findings suggest that MSMEs in Durban Central predominantly rely on financial metrics, such as turnover/sales and net profit, to measure their success. While financial indicators offer valuable insights into economic viability and financial health, there is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating non-financial metrics, such as customer referrals and product/service innovation, into performance assessment systems. This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central, an area where research in this domain is scarce. Through a thorough examination of both financial and non-financial metrics, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of MSME performance evaluation practices in the region. The study recommends the significance of integrating non-financial dimensions into performance assessment systems and provide practical insights for enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability in the dynamic business environment of Durban Central.

The research analyzes in depth how Beyond Budgeting influences financial results across the South African non-ferrous metal industry. The research solves the challenge of outdated budget systems alongside marketplace insecurities and operational obstacles in the examined sector. The 60-month period from 2020 through secondary financial statement analysis of non-ferrous metal firms constitutes the research approach. Financial performance analysis used a sample set of statements to conduct t-tests on paired data points for examining budgeting practice associations. Beyond Budgeting brought better revenue results to organizations but proved minimally effective in increasing profitability when associated with growing cost diversity levels. Beyond Budgeting produced enhanced revenue results but did not create substantial changes in operating profit numbers. Traditional budgeting methods proved unfit for handling the changing non-ferrous metal market environment because they produced erroneous financial prediction results. The study findings indicate South African non-ferrous metal firms should implement Beyond Budgeting for their revenue flexibility but must maintain cost control systems for profitability sustainability. Organizations should combine traditional budgeting components with Beyond Budgeting principles to attain financial security as well as market responsiveness according to research findings. Financial managers require training in adaptive budgeting and organizations should install real-time tracking systems which effectively regulate cost variances.

This study examined the efficacy of the internal control systems at a TVET College in the Vhembe district, emphasising the five essential components of an internal control system: the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication processes, and monitoring. This research utilises a sample of 52 permanent employees. The selected responders possess familiarity with internal control systems and are engaged in the development and execution of the organization's internal control system. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and cumulative percentages, were employed for analysis. The study's findings indicated that the institution's control environment was predominantly effective, whilst the remaining four components of its internal control system were moderately effective. The researcher determined that the institution's internal control system was moderately effective. The findings indicate that TVET College management should prioritise the enhancement of internal control systems to improve operational efficiency and risk management. The research emphasises the necessity for policies that fosters the ongoing enhancement of internal controls, potentially resulting in stronger governance and accountability inside the organisation.

Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies are important economic institutions that offer credit and other financial services in many developing countries, including Kenya. However, their performance is impacted by several factors, including high competition. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) serves as a tool of strategic value, enabling organizations harmonize their activities with their strategic goals. In Kenya, despite the significant contributions Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies deliver to economic growth, few studies have examined factors that affect their performance. The goal of this study was to examine the correlation between the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard and the competitiveness of Savings and Credit Cooperatives located in Kajiado County, Kenya. The specific aims of the study included assessing how the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard, namely, financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business processes, and learning and growth perspective, affect the competitiveness. of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies within Kajiado County. This study was anchored on the theoretical frameworks of Balanced Score Card, Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities theory. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design, guided by objectivism as an ontological approach, a positivist epistemology, and a deductive approach for data collection and analysis. The study’s target population included the deposit taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kajiado County (N= 22). Purposive sampling was employed to identify 22 Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies and 32 personnel members from the 5 main sub counties. Data collection involved the utilization of a structured questionnaire self-administered by the respondents themselves. The data collected was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, encompassing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The relationship between distinct independent variables and company competitiveness was analyzed using multiple regression. The critical value for regression was 0.05, and the 95% confidence interval was used. The study found a strong, statistically significant positive correlation between SACCO competitiveness and customer perspective (r = .899, p = .000). Also, a strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found to exist between financial perspective and SACCO competitiveness (r = .841, p = .000). A similar strong positive correlation was observed between internal business processes and SACCO competitiveness (r = .805, p = .001). Similarly, learning and growth exhibited a strong, positive correlation with SACCO competitiveness (r = .817, p = .001). Some of the balanced score card perspectives, such as financial and customer perspectives, positively predict SACCO competitiveness. The relationships are also statistically significant. However, internal business process and learning and growth, negatively predict SACCO competitiveness. The relationships are not statistically significant. It was recommended that the management of SACCOs should enhance the customer perspective and the financial perspective to boost competitiveness, while strengthening the other perspectives.

The focus of this study was to examine the mediating effects of operational efficiency on the relationship between budgeting practices (budget planning and budget participation) and financial performance among 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The stratified sampling technique was used to select 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) managers and employees of 3D printing SMMEs formed the sample size of the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software versions 26 and Smart PLS 4 were used to analyze the data gathered. PLS-Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the hypothesis for both direct and mediation effects. The results indicate that a significant negative relationship exists between budget planning and financial performance, as well as budget participation and financial performance. Significant positive relationships were found to exist between the following variables: budget planning and operational efficiency, budget participation and operational efficiency, and operational efficiency and financial performance. Operational efficiency was found to mediate the relationship between budget planning and financial performance as well as budget participation and financial performance. The results imply that the implementation of budgeting practices such as budget planning and budget participation in 3D printing SMME is not enough to achieve financial performance unless operational efficiency is given the utmost attention in 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa.

Performance Based Budgeting carried out in Indonesian private higher education found lots of constraints. Apart from factors of cultural work, leadership, and negative perceptions of the community academics, obstacles, and budget limitations are big challenges. This study examines field data related challenge of performance-based budgeting in Indonesian private higher education in particular linked with budget limitations. This study uses a quantitative method with an equipped open questionnaire for getting input about the implementation of performance-based budgeting that is recommended in finance management finance in Indonesian private higher education. Respondents were heads of financial management at 213 private universities in Indonesia. Statistical results show that budget limitations have a significant negative effect on performance-based budgeting in terms of performance orientation of -0.824, implementation flexibility of -0.634, and functional approach of -0.654. Furthermore, proposal optimization of performance-based budgeting with challenging Budget limitations is discussed.

The purpose of this study is to explore the performance measurement approach of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the South Durban region of South Africa. It has long been known that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in economic growth and income distribution in the world's major economies. However, due to globalisation, the fourth industrial revolution and increased competition from multinationals, South African SMEs face new challenges in measuring their performance. To respond to these challenges, SMEs must adopt efficient and effective performance measurement models. However, currently, according to the researchers, there is no such performance measurement framework. This study aims, among others, to close this gap in the literature. This study uses a deductive, positivist research design to comprehensively explore performance measurement practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a given region. Based on Morgan's sample size table, size 217 was chosen. The use of financial and non-financial performance measures is preferred by SMEs as it shows better performance compared to only one measure. In addition, the study found a positive correlation between business size and age, indicating that larger businesses tend to be older.The results of this study help to understand the complex relationship between job dimensions, age, and performance, highlighting the importance of choosing appropriate performance measures. Future research is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of these relationships and how they vary across contexts and sectors.

This paper aims to present the development process of a performance appraisal system for a zakat institution using the Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework. Various methods were employed, including observation, documentation, interviews, and focus group discussions with LAZ Sijahtra (anonymous), a university-based zakat institution located in Aceh Province, Indonesia. The province is well-known for its government policy enforcing zakat as a special source of Regional Original Revenue. The study identified four prioritized objectives for LAZ Sijahtra, which included optimizing the collection of Zakat, Infaq, Alms, and Waqf (ZISWAF) funds; enhancing the Cooperation and Network Development Department program; digitizing work activities; and achieving zero-balance ZISWAF, where all generated funds have been distributed. This study contributes to the field by exploring the development of performance measurements in smaller nonprofit organizations and addressing the legitimacy aspects of performance measurement systems. The utilization of the OKR framework in a nonprofit setting is still limited, making this research valuable.

The paper analytically examines literature to elucidate the origin and evolution of management accounting buoyed on by the surge in appetite on its use especially during the last two decades. The paper further critically examines the wide critics on the “loss of relevance” of management accounting in enhancing performance explicitly in a modern rapidly changing business environment. A further attempt is made by this paper to better apprehend the concomitant application of traditional and contemporary management accounting practices. It further analysed the current level of appetite on the use of management accounting practices in both developed and developing countries. A critical review of related literature revealed that the history of management accounting can be traced back to the industrial revolution of the 1900s. The study also revealed that management accounting continues to evolve as companies meet new problems that need to be solved and management accounting practices that were used in the early 1900s are still applicable even today. The “loss relevance of management accounting” school of thought was dismissed as traditional MAPs that were used in the 1900s are still applicable even today. The study recommends the use of management accounting as it improves competitive edge and creates value for the organisation.

The study sought to examine the effect of Accounting Information and Communication control on the financial performance of Sacco’s in Kenya. The study employed a mixed research design targeting 175 Sacco’s with 875 respondents. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the CEOs, Finance Managers, Risk Managers, ICT Managers and Internal auditors. Data were collected by the use of both primary and secondary techniques. Primary data collection was using questionnaires, while secondary data detailed document analysis of audited accounts to capture information on financial performance. A pilot study was conducted in Nairobi County. Content and construct validity were tested at a KMO value of 0.870, which signified that factor analysis was appropriate. Cronbach Alpha was applied to establish reliability, ranging from 0.859 for accounting information and communication control to 0.916 for financial performance. Data were analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis included; frequencies, Mean, Standard deviation and percentage, while inferential analysis involved regression analysis. The results showed a significant positive relationship between Accounting Information and Communication control and financial performance (r=0.661, P=0.000). Accounting Information and Communication control explained 43.7% (R2 =0.437) of variance in financial performance; the beta value for Accounting Information and Communication control from the regression model was 0.551 at p< 0.05.  The study concluded that Accounting Information and Communication control has a significant positive effect on financial performance. The study recommended that SACCOs conduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of its accounting information and communication system to ensure management receives timely, relevant, and reliable reports for decision-making.

This research aims to empirically assess the influence of the budgetary goal clarity and budget evaluation on agency performance accountability. This study was conducted on Local Goverment Organization (OPD) of Blitar Regency. The unit of analysis is 113 employees whose work are related to composing of agency performance accountability. The data was analyzed using SEM-PLS in Smart PLS 3. The results showed that budgetary goal clarity and budget evaluation has positive influence on agency performance accountability. The implementation of budgetary goal clarity and budget evaluation will help agencies in making decisions in relation to achieving accountability for agency performance.

As Covid-19 lockdown forced firms to organize work differently, for example, managing people remotely.  Despite the benefits may a firm obtain in adopting new business tools like remote management, but providing assurance that internal control function in an efficient manner is important for a firm; that is because there is a growing interest in internal control issues. It is very important to determine how the remote working model, which emerged during the Covid 19 pandemic process, has changed the accounting processes of businesses. The aim of this study is to propose an internal control model under factors such as remote management, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and observation. The data in the research were obtained from the experts in our sample by using the survey method. Our sample consists of managers, supervisors, and academics. The data obtained were evaluated with the Smart-PLS version 3.2.9 program. Findings highlight a positive relationship between control activities and remote management.  

This study sought to determine the link between Performance Contracting and implementation of strategic objectives in Kenyan Public Universities. The main objective was to establish the extent of utilization of the Performance Contract (PC) as a tool for implementation for strategic objectives in Kenyan public universities. The study was anchored on the Balanced Score Card theory and used a combination of descriptive survey research design and correlation research design. The target population for this study included thirty-one (31) public universities in Kenya; a sample of 62 respondents was drawn from senior management and officers in charge of PC and strategy implementation in each University as well as 10 key informants from the Ministry of Education and the Public Service Performance Management and Coordination Office. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; correlation and regression analysis was computed to determine the degree of association between the performance of Kenyan public universities in performance contracting and implementation of their strategic objectives. Methodological triangulation and pilot testing were adopted to test for validity while Cronbach Alpha reliability Correlation Coefficient was used to test the reliability of the data. The study established that utilization of Performance Contracts contributes to 74.2% of the changes in strategy implementation in Public Universities in Kenya. It recommends that the universities should focus on the PC as a tool to enhance strategy implementation, allocate more funds for strategy implementation and improve their financial standing by engaging in more income-generating activities.

The purpose of this study was to determine the Moderating Effect of Management Control System (MCS) in the relationship between Organisation Processes and Institutional Performance of Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) in Kenya. The study was a cross-sectional survey in nature and used explanatory research design with the population obtained from the TTIs that were registered with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) by 2015. The main research instrument was a closed-ended questionnaire. The hypotheses in this study were tested using Hierarchical Moderated Multiple Regression (MMR) and the study found that organization processes had a significant positive influence on the institutional performance of TTIs in Kenya. The study findings indicated that the estimated coefficient was 0.555 indicating that organization processes had a significant influence on institutional performance. Further, the study found evidence that (i) MCS moderates the relationship between organizational processes and institutional performance, (ii)) MCS had a moderating effect on the relationship between organizational processes and institutional performance of Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) in Kenya.

This study aims to investigate budget related antecedents of job performance of managers. For this purpose, the effect of budgetary participation, budget goal commitment and information sharing on job performance of managers were examined. The sample consists of 104 managers who are responsible from the budgets of their units in different private enterprises. Most of these enterprises are operating in automotive sector and located in Marmara Region of Turkey. Survey data was analyzed with confirmatory factor analyses and Structural Equation Modeling. Results indicate that budgetary participation has statistically significant and positive impact on job performance. It also positively affects budget goal commitment and information sharing. Budget goal commitment and information sharing have significant and positive impact on job performance. In addition, budget goal commitment positively affects information sharing of managers. Analyses also revealed that budget goal commitment and information sharing have partial mediation effect on the relationship between budgetary participation and job performance.