Budget participation, goal interdependence and controversy : a study of a Chinese public utility
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Management Accounting Research
Publication Date
3-1-2001
Volume
12
Issue
1
First Page
101
Last Page
118
Keywords
Budgeting, China, Conflict, Controversy, Goal interdependence, Participation
Abstract
The extensive literature on participative budgeting has paid little attention to the interaction among managers as they discuss and resolve budget-related issues. This study employs goal interdependence theory to explore the impact of team dynamics on budgeting. How managers believe their goals are related affects the dynamics and outcomes of participation. In a large utility in Hong Kong, 64 managers were interviewed on specific budget participation incidents. Results of structural equation analyses found support for the study's three main hypotheses. Budget team members who had cooperative goals were found to engage in more open-minded discussion in conflict situations. This resulted in improved group productivity and strengthened relationships which, in turn, led to higher-quality budgets. Results were interpreted as suggesting that the benefits of budget participation depends upon establishing strongly cooperative goals among team members and developing the skills to discuss opposing views open-mindedly. The antecedents of goal interdependence are also explored.
DOI
10.1006/mare.2000.0146
Print ISSN
10445005
E-ISSN
10961224
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2001 Academic Press
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Poon, M., Pike, R., & Tjosvold, D. (2001). Budget participation, goal interdependence and controversy: A study of a Chinese public utility. Management Accounting Research, 12(1), 101-118. doi: 10.1006/mare.2000.0146