The Influence of Economic (Ir)rationality on Public Sector Reforms

Article

Bowrey, Graham, Smark, Ciorstan and Jones, Greg. 2019. "The Influence of Economic (Ir)rationality on Public Sector Reforms." e-Journal of Social and Behavioural Research in Business. 10 (1), pp. 24-39.
Article Title

The Influence of Economic (Ir)rationality on Public Sector Reforms

ERA Journal ID123340
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsBowrey, Graham (Author), Smark, Ciorstan (Author) and Jones, Greg (Author)
Journal Titlee-Journal of Social and Behavioural Research in Business
Journal Citation10 (1), pp. 24-39
Number of Pages16
Year2019
Place of PublicationMapleton, Australia
ISSN1838-8485
Web Address (URL)http://www.ejsbrb.org/a.php?/content/issue/19
Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the development, the increasing influence and impact, direct and indirect, of economic rationalism on the financial recording and reporting reform agenda of the Australian public sector. A focus of this paper will be to explore whether these reforms could be more appropriately considered to be rationalised myths adopted for reasons other than their purported advantages.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores the influence of economic rationalisation on public sector financial reform through a theoretical framework based on legitimacy and the lens of institutional isomorphism which considers the adoption of certain reforms and practices via coercive, memetic and normative isomorphic pressures. It these pressures which eventuate in the creation and strengthening of the rationalised myths associated with these reforms.
Findings: The key finding from this research is that the influence of economic rationalism has led to the adoption and implementation of various reforms, (often based on private sector practices), which could be viewed as rationalised myths implemented to increase the legitimacy of the public sector, rather than to improve service delivery. The adoption of private sector practices is seen as a reaction to the institutional isomorphic pressures the public sector is experiencing to legitimise itself within society, and not necessarily as an attempt to improve efficiency, effectiveness and performance, which are the new recently promoted objectives of the public sector. To resist the isomorphic pressures would be a sign the public sector is not accepting of (best) practices based on notions of economic rationalism.
Originality/value: This paper provides a new approach to exploring the recent financial reforms in the Australian public sector while providing some direction for future research in challenging the taken-for-granted assumptions upon which public sector reforms are often justified.

KeywordsAccountability; Accrual accounting; Economic rationalism, Institutional theory; Rationalised myths
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350103. Financial accounting
350199. Accounting, auditing and accountability not elsewhere classified
350102. Auditing and accountability
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
University of Wollongong
University of Southern Queensland
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5703/the-influence-of-economic-ir-rationality-on-public-sector-reforms

Log in to edit
  • 119
    total views
  • 8
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

IPO Pricing Regulation and Audit Fees: A Perspective from Institutional Changes in China
Zhao, Gang, Deng, Ying, Jiang, Yujia and Bowrey, Graham. 2023. "IPO Pricing Regulation and Audit Fees: A Perspective from Institutional Changes in China." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 17 (2), pp. 86-112. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v17i2.07
The Application of Critical Discourse Analysis to Explore the use of Language and Speech Acts in a Public Sector Accountability Process
Garvie, Leanda, Joubert, Michelle and Jones, Greg. 2022. "The Application of Critical Discourse Analysis to Explore the use of Language and Speech Acts in a Public Sector Accountability Process." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 16 (4), pp. 201-217. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v16i4.11
The influence of ownership structure on the extent of CSR reporting: An emerging market study
Al Fadli, Amer, Sands, Juhn, Jones, Gregory, Beattie, Claire and Pensiero, Dom. 2022. "The influence of ownership structure on the extent of CSR reporting: An emerging market study." Business and Society Review. 127 (3), pp. 725-754. https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.12286
The Postpandemic Future of Australian Regional Aviation: How Regional Express (Rex) Navigated the Challenges and Opportunities
Bowyer, Dorothea Maria, Jones, Greg Evan, El Hamad, Walid, Beattie, Claire, Smark, Ciorstan and Deng, Ying. 2022. "The Postpandemic Future of Australian Regional Aviation: How Regional Express (Rex) Navigated the Challenges and Opportunities." Kurnaz, Salim and Argin, Emrah (ed.) Digitalization and the Impacts of COVID-19 on the Aviation Industry. IGI Global. pp. 73-101
Impact of NSW Local Council Investment Exposures on Audit Opinions
Jones, Greg and Bowrey, Graham. 2010. "Impact of NSW Local Council Investment Exposures on Audit Opinions." e-Journal of Social and Behavioural Research in Business. 1 (1), pp. 1-11.
Exploring Changing Requirements of Financial Statement Audit Reports via a Morphogenetic Approach
Deng, Ying, Bowrey, Graham and Jones, Greg. 2021. "Exploring Changing Requirements of Financial Statement Audit Reports via a Morphogenetic Approach." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 15 (2), pp. 38-55. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v15i2.4
Survival of the Fittest: Challenges for regional aviation to serve the needs of Australian regional and remote communities
Bowyer, Dorothea, Jones, Greg, Bowrey, Graham and Smark, Ciorstan. 2020. "Survival of the Fittest: Challenges for regional aviation to serve the needs of Australian regional and remote communities." Australasian Journal of Regional Studies. 26 (1), pp. 1-28.
Financial and Social Well-being Performance after Privatisation of the Port of Brisbane: A Case Study
Jayasundara, Mudiyanselage Upali Ranjith, Jones, Greg and Sands, John. 2020. "Financial and Social Well-being Performance after Privatisation of the Port of Brisbane: A Case Study." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 14 (2), pp. 72-93. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v14i2.6
Board independence and CSR reporting: pre and post analysis of JCGC 2009
Al Fadli, Amer, Sands, John, Jones, Greg, Beattie, Claire and Pensiero, Dominic. 2020. "Board independence and CSR reporting: pre and post analysis of JCGC 2009." International Journal of Law and Management. 62 (2), pp. 117-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLMA-11-2018-0259
Perceptions of the usefulness of various teaching methods in forensic accounting education
Alshurafat, Hashem, Beattie, Claire, Jones, Gregory and Sands, John. 2020. "Perceptions of the usefulness of various teaching methods in forensic accounting education." Accounting Education: An International Journal. 29 (2), pp. 177-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2020.1719425
Board Gender Diversity and CSR Reporting: Evidence from Jordan
Al Fadli, Amer, Sands, John, Jones, Greg, Beattie, Claire and Pensiero, Dom. 2019. "Board Gender Diversity and CSR Reporting: Evidence from Jordan." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 13 (3), pp. 29-52. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v13i3.3
Forensic accounting core and interdisciplinary curricula components in Australian universities: analysis of websites
Alshurafat, Hashem, Beattie, Claire, Jones, Gregory and Sands, John. 2019. "Forensic accounting core and interdisciplinary curricula components in Australian universities: analysis of websites." Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting. 11 (2 (Special edition)), pp. 353-365.
The value of incorporating emotional intelligence skills in the education of accounting students
Jones, Greg and Abraham, Anne. 2009. "The value of incorporating emotional intelligence skills in the education of accounting students." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 3 (2), pp. 48-60.
Local Government investing: a form of gambling?
Jones, Greg and Bowrey, Graham. 2010. "Local Government investing: a form of gambling?" Australiasian Journal of Regional Studies. 16 (1), pp. 37-50.
Managing student expectations: using online quizzes in university subjects
Jones, Greg and Jones, Hazel. 2017. "Managing student expectations: using online quizzes in university subjects." Northcote, Maria and Gosselin, Kevin P. (ed.) Handbook of research on humanizing the distance learning experience. Hershey PA, united States. IGI Global. pp. 364-391
The big end of town meets the local council: the investment habitus of four sets of Australian councils during the GFC
Jones, Greg, Beattie, Claire, Bowrey, Graham and Smark, Ciorstan. 2016. "The big end of town meets the local council: the investment habitus of four sets of Australian councils during the GFC ." Australian Journal of Public Administration. 75 (4), pp. 441-456. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8500.12212
Local council financial management: assessing the impact of policy change and proposed amalgamations
Jones, Greg, Bowrey, Graham, Beattie, Claire and Smark, Ciorstan. 2016. "Local council financial management: assessing the impact of policy change and proposed amalgamations." Australasian Journal of Regional Studies. 22 (3), pp. 355-374.
Local council governance and audit committees - the missing link?
Jones, Gregory and Bowrey, Graham. 2013. "Local council governance and audit committees - the missing link?" Journal of New Business Ideas and Trends. 11 (2), pp. 58-66.
Local government internal audit compliance
Jones, Greg and Beattie, Claire. 2015. "Local government internal audit compliance." Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal. 9 (3), pp. 59-71.