Management accounting systems effectiveness, perceived environmental uncertainty and companies’ performance: the case of Jordanian companies

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between management accounting systems effectiveness (MASE) and company performance and then it examines the role of perceived environmental uncertainty as a moderator on this relationship. It provides empirical evidence from a developing market, especially from the Jordanian market. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on collecting its data using a quantitative method to assist in explaining and interpreting the results, whereby the study data were collected through a survey design approach using a questionnaire method to achieve the objectives of the study. The population of this study included all Jordanian companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) at the end of 2019, a total of 187 companies. Therefore, the study sample consists of all these companies (a completely sensuous population) which are listed on ASE at the end of 2019. Findings The findings of this study offered that two informational characteristics of MASE, namely, timeliness and integration, have a significant impact on the financial performance and other characteristics have no impact on the financial (FP) and nonfinancial (NFP) performance. The informational characteristics of management accounting systems complement each other to ensure the MASE in the company, where the relationship between MASE proxied by four informational characteristics together and FP as well as NFP, were highly significant. Additionally, the findings documented that perceived environmental uncertainty, namely, customer uncertainty, competitor uncertainty and technology uncertainty separately do not moderate the relationship between MASE and company performance (both FP and NFP). Research limitations/implications The findings of this study shape the way for more thorough studies into monitoring MASE. Nevertheless, to start efficient decisions, managers need to comprehend the interaction of the MASE with other factors. All these considerations need to be comprehended both for and against the performance. Finally, this study addressed important issues that have practical management value. However, it is limited to a sample from one country. Future research would be interesting to study different businesses and cultural settings to enhance the theoretical and practical contributions of the study’s findings and conclusions. To be more specific, further study should have a wider view of the determinants of performance by containing economic factors in different areas such as the MENA region. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study of Jordan to examine the relationship between MASE and company performance from two sides (namely, financial and non-financial performance), moderated by perceived environmental uncertainty. As such, the study raises significant findings drawing attention to management accounting systems and the role of management accounting systems in Jordan.