The impact of SMES characteristics on management accounting practices: Evidence from the state of Amazonas

Abstract

This research seeks to identify Management Accounting Practices (MAP) used by Small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and the factors that explain the adoption of those practices. This study is relevant due to the scarcity of studies in this context, especially, in developing countries. Our study shows that SMEs use mostly traditional MAPs. We provide evidence that the traits of the owner/manager, and the age and sector of activity of the SME influence the adoption of MAPs. This study contributes: empirically, by providing statistical evidence of the contingency factors associated with the adoption of MAP by SMEs in a developing country; theoretically, by enriching the literature on MAPs and contingency factors. Our results suggest clues for the development of public policies to support the small business environment and the importance of Management Accounting education. For future research, this study can be extended, namely to other developing countries.