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Article
Publication date: 20 September 2022

Ach Maulidi, Nanang Shonhadji, Fachruzzaman, Rida Perwita Sari, Dian Anita Nuswantara and Rindang Widuri

The purpose of this study is to examine whether female chief financial officers (CFOs) are associated with the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. This study offers new…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether female chief financial officers (CFOs) are associated with the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. This study offers new theoretical and empirical evidence on whether firms with more female CFOs are more (less) likely to engage in financial reporting fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of US-listed firms from 2011 to 2021. The authors speculate that female CFOs play a weaker role in the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. So, firms with a proportional number of female CFOs should be less likely to commit financial reporting fraud.

Findings

The data provide support for the predictions of this study. This study suggests a negative and significant association between the dummy variables for female CFOs and the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. The authors find that this association is contingent on governance mechanisms [e.g. ownership structure, politically connected CEOs and firms' conditions that do (or do not) invest in a gender-diverse board].

Originality/value

This study offers different perspectives on the impact of female CFOs on the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. The results of this study are distinguishable from prior studies. This study moves the analytical focus from the macro level (gender diversity or female corporate leaders) to the micro level (female CFOs) to understand firms' propensity to commit financial reporting fraud. Additionally, this study is based on factual financial reporting fraud cases, considering the US firms' fraud characteristics.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2022

Ach Maulidi

This study aims to examine the roles of organisational control, structure, culture and technology in preventing occupational fraud. This study is essential in the current time. It…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the roles of organisational control, structure, culture and technology in preventing occupational fraud. This study is essential in the current time. It brings a significant impact on both theory and practice. In the existing studies, there is a lack of clarity on a specific mechanism to prevent organisational fraud. The problem is that they tend to generalise the types of organisational fraud. Conceptually, organisational fraud may include corruption, double funding, asset misappropriation, bribery or falsification of documents. However, many scholars tend to neglect such diversities. Consequently, many occupational fraud cases become unstoppable, particularly corruption. To deal with this topical issue, the current study applies the term “occupational fraud” cited by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, consisting of corruption, asset misappropriation and fraudulent financial statement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed three Indonesian Local Governments. This study focussed on management levels that have strong power for coordinating governmental activities. The author chose these local governments because their local leaders (the regents) were jailed due to corruption scandals. As expected, this study gives us different perceptions of how fraud mitigation should be designed in the organisation.

Findings

The results suggest that corruption is a little bit complex than other types of occupational fraud. It is improbable to be prevented through technological and administrative approaches. As such, organisations need to think of extra efforts that could perfectly tailor the organisational control and organisational culture, organisational structure and technological advancement. The benefit of this effort is related to diagnosing the fit or misfit of organisation designs in addressing the dynamic dimensions of corporate governance. Then, it can also strengthen the efficacy of preventive measures to deal with occupational fraud.

Originality/value

This study provides a provocative discussion regarding the public perception of occupational fraud, consisting of corruption, asset misappropriation and financial statement fraud. And this study also offers a new refined conceptual analysis of how to deal with such types of occupational fraud by incorporating contingency theory and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO’s) internal control components.

Details

International Journal of Ethics and Systems, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9369

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2021

Ach Maulidi and Jake Ansell

The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical guidance that enables local governments to deal with occupational fraud.

1230

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical guidance that enables local governments to deal with occupational fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative approach is used to examine the efficacy of the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) internal control framework in tackling occupational fraud in local government. To achieve the goals, the authors performed a survey of the Indonesian auditor institutions.

Findings

It is not appropriate to argue that all types of local government fraud can be deterred by a single internal control. The study suggests that COSO internal controls are not effective for dealing with corruption cases. However, the authors do find the efficacy of those controls are obvious for controlling asset misappropriation and financial statement fraud. This result indicates that if the COSO internal control framework is only designed for routine financial control and asset protection, it significantly and negatively influences its efficacy to deal with occupational fraud. This study has both theoretical and managerial implications, discussed separately.

Originality/value

In the field of prevention, the authors cannot make generalised theories and approaches for dealing with occupational fraud. Whilst previous authors have offered fraud deterrents in terms of internal controls, they have failed to realise the need to understand their effectiveness for particular forms of fraud. This paper sheds light on the effectiveness of internal controls in achieving their goals. This has both practical applications and stimulates theoretical insights.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 February 2024

Ach Maulidi

This study aims to observe people’s decisions to commit fraud. This study is important in the current time because it provides insights into the development of fraudulent…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to observe people’s decisions to commit fraud. This study is important in the current time because it provides insights into the development of fraudulent intentions within individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

The information used in this study is derived from semi-structured interviews, conducted with 16 high-ranking officials who are employed in Indonesian local government positions.

Findings

The study does not have strong evidence to support prior studies assuming that situational factors or social enablers have direct effects on fraud intentions. As suggested, individual factors which are related to moral reasoning (moral judgment and rationalisation) emerge as a consequence of social enablers. The significant role of that moral reasoning is to rationalise any fraud attempt as permissible conduct. As such, when an individual is capable of legitimising his/her fraud attempt into appropriate self-judgement, s/he is more likely to engage in fraudulent behaviours.

Practical implications

This study offers practical prescriptions in guiding the management to develop strategies to curb fraudulent behaviours. The study suggests that moral cognitive reasoning is found to be a parameter of whether fraud is an acceptable option or not. So, an understanding of observers’ moral reasoning is helpful in predicting the likelihood of fraud within an organisation or in detecting it.

Originality/value

This study provides a different perspective on the psychological pathway to fraud. It becomes a complement work for the fraud triangle to explain fraudulent behaviours. Specifically, it provides crucial insights into the underlying motivations that lead individuals to accept invitations to engage in fraudulent activities.

Details

Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1832-5912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2020

Ach Maulidi and Jake Ansell

This paper aims to challenge some of the underlying concepts about causation of fraud and in doing so enriches knowledge and insight into the management of fraud.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to challenge some of the underlying concepts about causation of fraud and in doing so enriches knowledge and insight into the management of fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a part of fieldwork carried out in Indonesia.

Findings

Organisational fraud is an exceptional type of crime. Hence, the underlying antecedents and consequences of fraud in organisation are distinct from other crimes, especially violent crimes. The underlying logic in criminological and sociological theories and literature cannot fully explain the causal factors of fraud in the organisation. This leads to a theoretical discussion about the reconstruction of the fraud theory. Implications and suggestions for further studies are discussed in this study.

Originality/value

This study provides a new understanding of fraud and its antecedents and consequences. In doing so, it examines the long-standing debate in criminology and sociology about the theories concerning crime causation, as these areas provide the underlying logic of fraud theory.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2022

Ach Maulidi

This study aims to examine the effect of gender board diversity on corporate fraud. Particularly, it is to gain empirical evidence whether firms with more female corporate leaders…

1214

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of gender board diversity on corporate fraud. Particularly, it is to gain empirical evidence whether firms with more female corporate leaders are more (less) likely to engage in corporate fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data of fraud firms from Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases. As a focus of the study, the authors take the fraud sample observations from the last 10 years, from 2011 to 2021. The idea is that the number of firms sectioned due to corporate fraud reached a peak in such periods.

Findings

In the context of non-state-owned enterprise environments, the authors find female corporate leaders are less likely to engage in corporate fraud. However, among firms with a state-owned background, the authors’ empirical evidence shows that the roles of female corporate leaders remain under-represented in the boardrooms. As reported, the presence of female corporate leaders does not bring a significant impact on enhancing group ethical decision-making and governance quality. This situation does appear when political connections between firms and governments or politicians are prevalent.

Research limitations/implications

This study has practical and theoretical implications. Given the increased pressure on companies around the globe to have more females in their boardrooms, this study provides insight into the effect of female corporate leaders on the prevalence of corporate fraud. As such, this study offers critical consideration for policymakers and regulators. Moreover, an analysis of whether and when the gender board diversity is associated with the firm’ propensity to perpetrate corporate fraud, particularly from the US corporate fraud, is sorely lacking. This study contributes to such gaps.

Originality/value

This study provides insightful discussion about the topical issue of whether, and under what circumstances, female corporate leaders influence (or do not influence) corporate fraud.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2020

Ach Maulidi

This study aims to provide theoretical and empirical insights concerning how macro-level characteristics influence micro-psychological characteristics, in perpetrating fraudulent…

2238

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide theoretical and empirical insights concerning how macro-level characteristics influence micro-psychological characteristics, in perpetrating fraudulent behaviours. This is because many fraud studies have mainly been focussed on the solo psychological aspects of the offender, rather than the social environments. This study also makes clear that fraudulent behaviours are different from delinquencies.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is focussed on the big bureaucratic scandals, occurring in Indonesia. The authors chose Indonesia because it places one of the corrupt countries in The Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. To achieve the goals, the authors used the ethnographic approach by conducting an exclusive interview with 30 elite executives from the Government of Indonesia.

Findings

This study finds a deeper understanding of the root causes of fraud committed by individuals and co-offenders, in which micro-psychological, situational, sociological and criminological aspects are linked together.

Originality/value

This study contains provocative findings that can stimulate a critical understanding of the psychological aetiology of an individual’s intention to perpetrate partial fraud or to co-offend.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 March 2020

Nanang Shonhadji and Ach Maulidi

The purpose of this study is to extend existing theory by developing a contingency theory for the public sector and to provide a landscape for local government to deal with…

1113

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend existing theory by developing a contingency theory for the public sector and to provide a landscape for local government to deal with white-collar crime. In recent years, the theme of risk management and internal controls, which is popular in the industry and private sector, has been mirrored by public sector organisations. Of course, it is to improve fraud risk control systems. We have to accept that public sector organisations have a growing need to control the (fraud) risks in a rapidly changing economic environment. Within this situation an effective internal control is becoming strategically important in many organisations, as it is proving to be a cost-efficient way to manage these risks in everyday operations. Here, the authors conducted a case study on the risk management control system at an Indonesian local government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses mixed methods, integrating quantitative and qualitative data – in-depth interviews and questionnaires were required to address the social phenomenon being investigated.

Findings

This study found that the structure of the control system fits a generic model, in which control systems are fundamental factors to all departments. It shows that control systems can support managers to align employee capabilities, activities and performance with the organisation’s goals and missions. In addition, the authors could identify, risk assessment and monitoring activities are effective measures of controlling organisation’s activities, and potentially could diagnose potential (fraud) risks, deterring to the achievement of organisational aims. Ideally, those aspects should be performed on a continuous basis if organisations want to prevent the spread of numerous potential menaces. In other words, if an organisation fails to carry out risk assessment correctly, it will result in unidentified possibility of fraud risks. The more explicit the risk assessment, the more effective the detection of fraud.

Practical implications

It can be alternative to consider Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s internal control as fraud mitigation in local government.

Originality/value

This study offers new directive discussion about internal controls as notion of fraud mitigation.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 August 2020

Dian Anita Nuswantara and Ach Maulidi

This paper aims to provide new understanding of fraudulent behaviour by offering different theoretical discussion on the fraud causation.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide new understanding of fraudulent behaviour by offering different theoretical discussion on the fraud causation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 15 executive managers in one of Indonesia local governments, by using semi-structured questions.

Findings

The authors explored the dynamics of both self- and other-directed factors in the spread of fraudulent behaviours, by focusing on the public-sector fraud landscape in local government. As a basis of analysis, the authors applied the theory of planned behaviours. In this study, “a concept of fraud triangle” substantially provides little help in elucidating the causation of fraudulent behaviours in local government. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Originality/value

This study offers new direction on broadening and deepening fraud literature and theories about the root causes of fraudulent behaviours.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2021

Nanang Shonhadji and Ach Maulidi

This paper aims to provide new theoretical discussion about the role of whistleblowing system and fraud awareness as an effective deterrent for financial statement fraud.

2594

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide new theoretical discussion about the role of whistleblowing system and fraud awareness as an effective deterrent for financial statement fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted surveys to 13 reputable public accounting firms in East Java, Indonesia.

Findings

It is well acknowledged, as fraud attacks grow more sophisticated, whistleblowing system and fraud awareness can be possible deterrents. By increasing employees’ fraud awareness, they do not only recognise fraud symptoms and typologies but also support to raise concerns in good faith and on reasonable grounds. This study also suggests the role of fraud awareness as a human capital investment that increase sensitivity on identifying fraud symptoms and discouraging participation in crimes.

Originality/value

This study produces new theoretical discussion about fraud prevention. Then this study also offers several aspects that can help organisation to establish effective whistleblowing systems and reporting mechanisms. Those aspects identified can encourage an individual to report malpractice or wrongdoing. This study also offers how fraud awareness can support the implementation of whistleblowing system in preventing fraudulent financial statements and other irregularities.

Details

International Journal of Ethics and Systems, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9369

Keywords

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