Factors influencing the adoption of management accounting practices (MAPs) by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector in Durban

Most countries recognise small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a key element in strengthening the economy and in reducing the high unemployment rate that is currently prevailing globally and especially in South Africa. Although these enterprises contribute significantly towards the economy, they often fail to survive beyond their start-up phase due to a number of challenges affecting their business life-cycle. These challenges stem from both internal and external factors and, if not curbed during the initial phase of the enterprise, they may cause the business to fail prematurely. Common causes of failure include, but are not limited to, difficulties encountered in gaining access to start-up capital; a lack of entrepreneurship or business management skills; a lack of appropriate business education along with a lack of any culture of innovation or of networking skills amongst their owner/managers. Finally, there is frequently a failure to adopt management accounting practices (MAPs). It is with this last issue that this research is concerned. MAPs are techniques used to provide management with financial and non-financial information to facilitate the planning, controlling and decision making process of an organisation. These techniques are recognised to improve business performance and sustainability substantially, and the application of these techniques is often seen as determining the success or failure of an enterprise. However, there has been some concern around the adoption of MAPs amongst manufacturing SMEs, especially in the South African context. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the critical factors influencing the adoption of MAPs by SMEs in the manufacturing sector in South Africa using a case study of businesses located in and around Durban. The aim was also to provide informative guidelines to promote the facilitation of MAP practices. A quantitative research approach was adopted involving non-probability, purposive sampling to ensure that the relevant participants were chosen. A sample consisting of 202 participants was considered appropriate for a population with over 1050 manufacturing SMEs registered in Durban (Department of Trade and Industry report 2016/17). A questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants in the study. A pilot test was conducted to ensure that the research instrument was adequately prepared. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, and the results were presented using graphs, tables and charts. The results of the study showed that both traditional and contemporary MAPs are regarded as relevant in this changing business environment. Manufacturing SMEs still see the significance of using traditional MAPs, although with the new industrial revolution taking over globally, more sophisticated new MAPs have been implemented by several manufacturing SMEs, and this has proved more effective in their gaining a competitive edge and demonstrating innovation and thus in achieving market success. The findings of this study are therefore in a position to contribute towards promoting the adoption of appropriate up-to-date MAPs that are more technically advanced to meet current management needs. The findings also revealed that the key internal factors identified by the respondents in this adoption process were: the owner’s business experience and skills, the firm’s structure, its size, and changes in the firm’s size. Amongst the external factors, the results of the study showed that competition, technology, market innovation, market success, and networking with other businesses, were regarded as the predominant factors influencing the adoption of MAPs by manufacturing SMEs in the Durban area. Although the study was able to identify these critical factors influencing the adoption of MAPs, the results were limited to those views expressed by the responding stakeholders from manufacturing SMEs located in the Durban area, and therefore can only be generalised with caution. The study recommends that both traditional and contemporary MAPs should be adopted upon the inception of a business, and that the relevant stakeholders should invest in educating themselves so that they can have a better understanding of the available MAPs, and their adoption and implementation within their business processes. The study further recommends that manufacturing SMEs identify and adopt the most appropriate MAPs to promote cost effective measures, optimise business performance and ensure sustainable growth. The effective adoption of MAPs would also be aided if stakeholders were to make more use of government supporting agencies allowing them to benefit from further financial assistance, mentorship and training of staff.