The role of internal auditing in corporate governance: a Foucauldian analysis
Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal
ISSN: 0951-3574
Article publication date: 20 March 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to articulate the conceptual foundations of the role of internal auditing in corporate governance by drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of governmentality.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a literature-based analysis of the role of internal auditing from a Foucauldian perspective.
Findings
It is argued that Foucault’s notion of governmentality provides conceptual tools for researching internal auditing as a disciplinary mechanism in the corporate governance setting of contemporary organizations. The paper develops an initial conceptual formulation of internal auditing as: ex post assurance about the execution of economic activities within management’s preconceived frameworks and ex ante advisory services to enhance the rationality of economic activities and accompanying controls.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is expected to initiate debate on the choice of theory and method in internal auditing research. The propositions and research agenda discussed can be used to address research questions of an interpretive nature that could enrich the current understanding of internal auditing.
Originality/value
This paper extends the Foucauldian analysis of accounting to incorporate internal auditing. It offers original propositions as a research agenda and discusses ontological and epistemic considerations associated with adopting the Foucauldian framework for internal auditing research.
Keywords
Citation
Mihret, D.G. and Grant, B. (2017), "The role of internal auditing in corporate governance: a Foucauldian analysis", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 699-719. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-10-2012-1134
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited