Search Results (5)

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the two determinants of the technology acceptance model (TAM3), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and perceived usefulness (PU) on auditors’ intention to adopt and use blockchain technology (BT) in Lebanon. This study also aims to investigate the moderating role of age on these associations to determine the antecedents of PU and PEOU. A sample of 332 auditors working in Lebanon was used to collect data and the analysis was conducted using the third version of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS3-SEM). Results show that perception of external control and computer self-efficacy significantly affect the PEOU. Job relevance and output quality are PU antecedents and positively influence the variable. In addition, PEOU and PU have a significant positive impact on auditors’ intention to adopt BT. This shows that auditors in Lebanon are more inclined to adopt BT if they feel that BT does not require substantial effort and that BT provides tangible benefits to their work. According to the researchers’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine auditors’ perception of using BT in one of the Middle Eastern countries, Lebanon, and the first to investigate the moderating role of age on the relationship between TAM3 determinants and auditors’ intention to adopt BT. In addition, this study highlights the practical implications of adopting BT in auditing in Lebanon by pinpointing the need for training programs, collaboration between auditors and other departments, developing regulatory frameworks to enhance efficiency, and organizing awareness and educational campaigns. Additionally, investments in infrastructure are critical to facilitate the smooth implementation and adoption of BT. Furthermore, audit firms should organize workshops to educate auditors on the application and the benefits of BT, invest in upgrading the IT systems to be compatible with BT platforms, and provide case studies and pilot projects to promote confidence in BT adoption. Full article

This study aims to describe and assess the impact of critical infrastructure (CI) cybersecurity issues on the sustainable development of smart cities. This study highlights the integration of PayTech systems into the broader CI landscape, highlighting their impact on maintaining economic stability and ensuring the smooth operation of city services. Key companies within smart regions, particularly those operating in the payment industries, are essential to maintaining the functionality of critical services. These companies facilitate the processing of services provided to citizens, enabling access to vital municipal services. As key players in the PayTech and online e-commerce sectors, they form a crucial part of modern critical infrastructure, operating within an ever-evolving digital environment. This study examines the recovery processes employed after cyberattacks, focusing on the differing perspectives of internal and external professionals. It identifies significant differences in the perceptions of recovery strategies among internal stakeholders, such as investor relations (IR) teams, reputation management (RM) experts, and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), who represent critical infrastructure companies. Additionally, it explores the roles of external auditors, who provide impartial emergency support and perform specialized recovery tasks. Importantly, this study underscores the current attitudes toward future information security strategies and their influence on the financial recovery and reputation of reliable companies following cyber incidents. This research contributes to the existing knowledge by shedding light on the perspectives of both a company’s internal and external specialists involved in the recovery process and cyber resilience strategies in critical infrastructure sectors. Full article

Identifying factors/latent constructs deemed to influence internal audit effectiveness (IAE), through identifying variables used as measures of effectiveness and hypothesising which variables have a statistically significant relationship with IAE was the primary objective. Secondary objectives involved exploring the perceptions and viewpoints of internal auditing and providing general recommendations. To achieve the above objectives, questionnaires were remitted to internal auditors (IA) in various countries, receiving 402 final valid responses. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out to identify new latent variables/constructs, with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in structural equation modelling (SEM) utilised to confirm these factors. The EFA process identified 7 latent factors, with 5 being confirmed through SEM. These factors, confirmed the positive influence of 8/16 hypotheses with 3/16 having partial confirmation, 4/16 not achieving any statistically significant evidence and 1/16 having negative influence. Risk Management, IA size, competency, management support, External Audit (EA) and Audit Committee (AC) cooperation, follow-up process, and control environment were all deemed to positively influence IA effectiveness. Independence, objectivity, and standard adherence achieved partial confirmation of their positive influence. Audit quality, Big Data, scope limitations and public/private organisations achieved no statistically significant results on their influence, while outsourcing was deemed to negatively influence effectiveness. Full article

This paper aims to explore external auditors’ perception of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It investigates whether there is a perception among external auditors toward the contribution of AI to audit quality. It also aims to test whether the perception of AI usage and its impact on audit quality differs between local and international external auditors. Data were collected using an online survey from 22 local and 41 international audit firms to achieve these research objectives. Participants were either the auditing manager, audit partners, senior auditors or other personnel who may have experience in the field of accounting and auditing. To test our hypotheses, data analysis was undertaken using reliability and validity tests, descriptive analysis and independent samples t-test. We found that the analysis shows that there is a non-significant difference in the perceived contribution of AI to audit quality between local and international audit firms. All the audit firms, whether local or international, have equal perceived contributions with regard to the audit quality. Full article

The construction of real estate has the potential to advance sustainability in terms of meeting economic and social criteria—the Business Case and the Societal Case. This is a crucial aspect in the stated visions and plans in many developing countries. Hence, it is important to understand how real estate can best contribute. Semi-structured interviews with a number of decision-makers involved in the real estate sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain were undertaken to explore perceptions of how the sector could best contribute to sustainable development. The decision-makers came from government bodies, investment banks, real estate developers, investors, constructors, project consultants and auditors. The interviews highlight the importance of having a stated vision and strategy which is highly visible and shared by all stakeholders. In the case of Bahrain this is Vision 2030 and the National Economic Strategy. It is important to ensure that any plans that are put in place to achieve the vision/strategy are adaptable to reflect changes in the external environment. The decision-makers identified three areas of focus in terms of the content of policy in order to meet the economic and social-related sustainability criteria as set out in Vision 2030 and the National Economic Strategy. These are: infrastructure, affordable housing and tourism/leisure. Within these three areas, that of infrastructure is also the key enabler for developments in the other two areas to be realized. In terms of a method of governance, the use of public-private-partnerships (PPPs) was identified as being highly appropriate. Such partnerships are not only useful to leverage private sector investment into specific development projects but also to ensure that such development harnesses innovative and efficient methods. Full article