To read this content please select one of the options below:

The role of digital transformation in enabling continuous accounting and the effects on intellectual capital: the case of Oracle

Maria Federica Izzo (San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy)
Marco Fasan (Department of Management, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy)
Riccardo Tiscini (Università Mercatorum, Rome, Italy)

Meditari Accountancy Research

ISSN: 2049-372X

Article publication date: 25 August 2021

Issue publication date: 14 July 2022

1960

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role played by digital transformation (DT) in enabling continuous accounting (CA) and its impacts on intellectual capital (IC). In so doing, the paper provides momentum for the emerging trends of the DT movement in the field of accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis relies on the exploratory case study of Oracle, a multinational computer technology corporation that is constantly involved in DT processes. Data sources include semi-structured interviews and internal documentation.

Findings

The paper shows how CA is facilitated by DT, a process that allows collaborative relationships, learning and transparency. These activities contribute to IC empowerment through three main mechanisms: empowerment through dialogue, empowerment through learning and increased reliability of data.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications by showing how DT applied to accounting provides a highly transparent way to collect, manage and analyze financial data, freeing time for high-value activities, optimizing decision-making processes and increasing IC.

Originality/value

DT and digital technologies have created new opportunities for companies – worldwide – to elaborate and communicate accounting information. The originality of this research derives from connecting DT to the relatively innovative topic of CA.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the editors, and to the two anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions. The authors are also grateful to Oracle’s management, especially Edilio E. Rossi, Stefano Iorio and Graziano Stolzi for their support and insightful comments.

Citation

Izzo, M.F., Fasan, M. and Tiscini, R. (2022), "The role of digital transformation in enabling continuous accounting and the effects on intellectual capital: the case of Oracle", Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 1007-1026. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-02-2021-1212

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles