This study aims to identify the factors affect Iranian SME decision to outsource accounting functions in term of transaction cost economics (TCE) and resource-based view (RBV) perspectives in manufacturing sector. Data collected by using a 658 questionnaire survey with SME owner/ managers. Our multiple linear regression analysis shows that higher asset specificity was associated with lower levels of outsourcing of accounting functions. In addition, outsourcing intensity is positively and significantly related to trust in external accountant, degree of competition, and corporate strategy. Besides, when we included control variables such as firm size and firm age, education and experience in our regression equation, the association between outsourcing intensity and four independent variables was remained statistically significant.

This paper aims to identify the factors that affect the decisions of managers of manufacturing sector SMEs in Iran to utilise external accountants' advisory services and to examine the effect of these advisory services on SME performance using the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm as the theoretical lens in the Iranian SME manufacturing sector. A questionnaire survey of 658 Iranian manufacturing SMEs is used. The results of linear regression analysis suggest that the use of external accountants′ advisory services is positively associated with the knowledge of owner/manager, technical competence, competitive intensity and complexity of market decisions. In addition, the study evidences that the use of advisory services has a positive effect on SME performance. Furthermore, after controlling for age and size of the firm, the relationships between four independent variables (knowledge, technical competence, competitive intensity and complexity of market decisions) and utilisation of advisory were remained significant.

The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is recognized globally given their contribution to total productivity and job opportunities. However, the majority of SMEs tend to fail due to a lack of marketing knowledge and managerial skills or technical expertise. Professional accountants are in a unique situation to help SME owner/managers to achieve their business objectives and bridge the skills gap. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the factors that affect the decisions of owner/managers of SMEs in Iranian manufacturing sector to utilise the professional accountants’ advisory services and to examine the impact of these advisory services on SME performance using the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm. Based on a questionnaire survey data of 658 Iranian manufacturing SMEs, our regression analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services and three independent variables, namely, knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions. Furthermore, we evidence that the use of advisory services is significant and positively associated with SME performance. More importantly, utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services partially mediates the relationship between knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions and firm performance. Therefore, we provide a specific, theoretically and empirically grounded prediction of how utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services influences performance with implications for theory and practice.

The aim of this study is to examine the factors that influence on outsourcing of accounting functions and the effect of outsourcing on firm performance in Iranian manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Results from a survey of 658 SMEs show that outsourcing is positively associated with owner/manager knowledge and the technical competence, but was not found a positive relationship between outsourcing and the size of the firm. It was found that outsourcing has a positive impact on SME performance. In addition, our analysis suggested that outsourcing did not mediate the influence of firm size on SME performance but partially mediated the impact of owner/manager knowledge on firm performance and also technical competence of an accountant on SME performance.

There are a variety of different business activities. Some companies have lack of diversity but others are diversified. One of the most important parameters for evaluation for choosing company for investing is company’s value. Therefore, this article investigates the effect of diversify by both indices of entropy and Herfindel on firm value for the companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. The effect of diversification on firm value is tested for the period of 2006 to 2014 for 88 companies. The target population for the period for investigation is chosen by using Cochrane method and systematic elimination method. Panel analysis is used for hypothesis testing, estimating procedures and testing model assumptions. Results show that there is not significant linear and non-linear relationship between the two variables of entropy index of business diversification and firm value but there is a significant negative relationship between the two variables of Herfindel index of business diversification and firm value. Results show a U-shaped relationship between these variables and the dependent variable.