A survey study of Iraqi auditors' adoption of blockchain technology
ISSN: 1321-7348
Article publication date: 27 November 2023
Issue publication date: 21 June 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to investigate the factors influencing auditors' behavioural intentions towards blockchain technology (BT) adoption in Iraqi government banks. It also highlights the relationships between these factors to determine if the proposed model can provide a more comprehensive means of comprehending how auditors in government banks have adopted BT.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and expands it by incorporating five external constructs: “system trust”, “cost”, “transparency”, “security” and “auditor's skill.” This study employed a quantitative and exploratory methodology through the gathering and examination of data from 300 auditors. For the evaluation of the measurement and structural models, the authors adopted the partial least squares structural equation modelling approach with SmartPLS v4.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that “auditor's skill and four government features of BT adoption” are major factors in government bank auditors' adoption of BT. Additionally, the findings indicate that social influence is a potent indicator of one's intention to adopt BT in the banking industry.
Research limitations/implications
One limit of this study is the selection of governmental perspective. This study is limited to auditors' opinions, who work at the government banks. Further studies may consider other perspectives in order to provide an in-depth analysis of blockchain.
Practical implications
This paper offers valuable insights into the factors influencing the adoption of blockchain technology in Iraqi governmental banks. It provides empirical evidence supporting auditing units and internal auditors in enhancing their job performance through the adoption of such technology.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature on technology adoption within the audit profession, specifically examining the use of blockchain technology. By exploring the features of technology adoption within government institutions in the auditing field, it introduces a new perspective, emphasizing the importance of auditor skills.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Many thanks are due to the University of Mosul (UoM) for encouraging to complete this study. Also, the authors thank the seven governmental banks in Iraq for facilitating the task of collecting data from their auditors. In addition, they thank their colleagues from the Department of accounting/University of Mosul who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research.
Citation
Majeed, R.H. and Taha, A.A.D. (2024), "A survey study of Iraqi auditors' adoption of blockchain technology", Asian Review of Accounting, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 521-546. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARA-01-2023-0015
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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