Financial and non-financial information transfer and communication within small and medium enterprises.

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Accountancy
Degree name
Master of Commerce
Publisher
University of Canterbury. School of Commerce
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2012
Authors
Liu, Mengdi Mandy
Abstract

This participant-observation study explores the process of gathering and evaluating both financial and non-financial information and communication and transfer of that information within a medium-size Electrical Company in Christchurch, New Zealand. The previous literature has established the importance and the main characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), mainly studying manufacturing companies. However, there has been little research done in New Zealand on the overall communication process and the financial and non-financial information usage in a small-medium enterprise. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with all the office employees and two partners, along with a ten month participant-observation in the Electrical Company in order to understand how financial and non-financial information is communicated and processed in an SME. Also, research in an SME that has overcome the 2008 economic depression and several major earthquakes allows a deep understanding of lessons learned and what is valued by the Electrical Company. The research has found characteristics of this SME similar to those that have been mentioned in previous literature. However, the partners of the Electrical Company understand the importance of financial management and use financial information extensively to ensure the business expenses are under control. Moreover, the partners use more than just financial information to manage the company. They gather non-financial information through talking to their accountant, their customers and people in the same industry and they keenly follow the news on the rebuilding of Christchurch.

Description
Citation
Keywords
SME, financial information, non-financial information, recovery, communication
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Mengdi Mandy Liu