Harun, Harun, David, Carter, and Khan, Habib (2023) Seeking a Sustainable Technology of Governance to Support Small and Medium Enterprises: A Study from the ASEAN Countries. In: Innovation-driven business and sustainability in the tropics: Proceedings of the Sustainability, Economics, Innovation, Globalisation and Organisational Psychology Conference 2023. pp. 7-28. From: SEIGOP 2023: Sustainability, Economics, Innovation, Globalisation and Organisational Psychology Conference, 1-3 March 2023, Singapore.

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Abstract

The study aims to provide a better understanding with respect to key institutional environment and challenges associated with the adoption of technology of governance by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in ten countries of the Association of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). The empirical data of the study was collected from a survey of 200 professional accountants in 10 ASEAN countries, in-depth interviews with 65 participants including the owners of SMEs, regulators, and government officials in the region. We find that although all ASEAN countries recognize the significant economic role of SMEs, incoherent and contradictory definitions of SMEs across ASEAN countries persist. Beyond this, there is a naive assumption among policy makers and the accounting profession who believe that the success of SME companies is how to become a big company like a multinational firm. Unfortunately, such an assumption has an impact on policy making in support of SMEs. Consequently, training, skills uptakes and technological support provided by the accounting, professional, international, and governmental bodies in the ASEAN also fail to meet the real needs of SMEs from the economic and sustainability perspective of these entities. The study warns that micro-entrepreneurs have been excluded from all accounting service processes, standard-setting processes and government support according to the needs of SMEs. Finally, this study provides recommendations for government agencies, accounting professional bodies and standard setters across the ASEAN to enhance the existing roles of SMEs in the future with the support of sustainable technology of governance.

Item ID:	81384
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-981-99-2908-5
Keywords:	SMEs, emerging economies, IFRS, the ASEAN, micro enterprises
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.
Funders:	ASEAN Federation of Accountants
Date Deposited:	19 Dec 2023 01:17
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3501 Accounting, auditing and accountability > 350101 Accounting theory and standards @ 100%
SEO Codes:	11 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 1199 Other commercial services and tourism > 119999 Other commercial services and tourism not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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