Abstract
Previous studies have investigated diverse topics in the area of computer auditing. However, few studies have empirically examined internal audit performance. Therefore, the present study examines the influences of various competencies, team problem-solving ability, and computer audit activity on internal audit performance. This study employs a survey and applies the partial least squares regression method. The results show that team problem-solving ability and computer audit activity positively influence internal audit performance, and that competencies indirectly influence internal audit performance through the mediating effects of team problem-solving ability and computer audit activity. Therefore, internal audit performance requires not only team cooperation and computer audit activity but also the competency of internal auditors.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdolmohammadi, M. J., Burnaby, P., & Hass, S. (2006). A review of prior common body of knowledge (CBOK) studies in internal auditing and an overview of the global CBOK 2006. Managerial Auditing Journal, 21(8), 811–821.
Abidin, S. Z., & Ismail, R. (2010). Impact of workers’ competence on their performance in the Malaysian private service sector. Business and Economic Horizons, 02, 25–36.
Ahmi, A., & Kent, S. (2012). The utilisation of generalized audit software (GAS) by external auditors. Managerial Auditing Journal, 28(2), 88–113.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
Bedard, J. C., Jackson, C., Ettredge, M. L., & Johnstone, K. M. (2003). The effect of training on auditors’ acceptance of an electronic work system. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 4(4), 227–250.
Chan, D. Y., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2011). Innovation and practice of continuous auditing. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 12(2), 152–160.
Coderre, D. (2009). Internal audit: Efficiency through automation (11). New Jersey: Wiley.
Compeau, D. R., & Higgins, C. A. (1995). Computer self-efficacy: development of a measure and initial test. MIS Quarterly, 19, 189–211.
Crawford, L. (2005). Senior management perceptions of project management competence. International Journal of Project Management, 23(1), 7–16.
Debreceny, R. S., Gray, G. L., Ng, J. J. J., Lee, K. S. P., & Yau, W. F. (2005). Embedded audit modules in enterprise resource planning systems: implementation and functionality. Journal of Information Systems, 19(2), 7–27.
Downey, J. P., & Zeltmann, S. (2009). The role of competence level in the self-efficacy–skills relationship: an empirical examination of the skill acquisition process and its implications for information technology training. International Journal of Training and Development, 13(2), 96–110.
Dwivedi, Y. K., Wastell, D., Laumer, S., Henriksen, H. Z., Myers, M. D., Bunker, D., & Srivastava, S. C. (2015). Research on information systems failures and successes: status update and future directions. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(1), 143–157.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: algebra and statistics. Journal of Marketing Research, 18, 382–388.
Goldberg, D. M. (2011). General auditing for IT auditors. ISACA Journal, 3, 36.
Gramling, A. A., Maletta, M. J., Schneider, A., & Church, B. K. (2004). The role of the internal audit function in corporate governance: a synthesis of the extant internal auditing literature and directions for future research. Journal of Accounting Literature, 23, 194.
Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: indeed a silver bullet. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–152.
Hall, J. A. (2010). Information technology auditing and assurance. Ohio: South-Western.
Hausken, K. (2014). Returns to information security investment: endogenizing the expected loss. Information Systems Frontiers, 16(2), 329–336.
Henderson, J. C., & Lee, S. (1992). Managing I/S design teams: a control theories perspective. Management Science, 38(6), 757–777.
Hoegl, M., & Parboteeah, P. (2006). Autonomy and teamwork in innovative projects. Human Resource Management, 45(1), 67–79.
Huang, S. M., Hung, Y. C., & Tsao, H. H. (2008). Examining the determinants of computer-assisted audit techniques acceptance from internal auditors’ viewpoints. International Journal of Services and Standards, 4(4), 377–392.
Huang, S. M., Hung, W. H., Yen, D. C., Chang, I. C., & Jiang, D. (2011). Building the evaluation model of the IT general control for CPAs under enterprise risk management. Decision Support Systems, 50(4), 692–701.
Huang, S. Y., Lee, C. H., Chiu, A. A., & Yen, D. C. (2015). How business process reengineering affects information technology investment and employee performance under different performance measurement. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(5), 1133–1144.
Johnson, R. D., & Marakas, G. M. (2000). Research report: the role of behavioral modeling in computer skills acquisition: toward refinement of the model. Information Systems Research, 11(4), 402–417.
Kayworth, T., & Whitten, D. (2010). Effective information security requires a balance of social and technology factors. MIS Quarterly Executive, 9(3), 2012–52.
Kearns, G. S. (2010). Measuring AIS course outcomes: the relationship between knowledge/skills and interest/enjoyment. AIS Educator Journal, 5(1), 47–69.
Knapp, K. J., Denney, G. D., & Barner, M. E. (2011). Key issues in data center security: an investigation of government audit reports. Government Information Quarterly, 28(4), 533–541.
Levenson, A. R., Van der Stede, W. A., & Cohen, S. G. (2006). Measuring the relationship between managerial competencies and performance. Journal of Management, 32(3), 360–380.
Lawshe, C. H. (1975). A quantitative approach to content validity. Personnel psychology, 28(4), 563–575.
Lewis, K. (2003). Measuring transactive memory systems in the field: scale development and validation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(4), 587.
Li, Y., Yang, M. H., Klein, G., & Chen, H. G. (2011). The role of team problem solving competency in information system development projects. International Journal of Project Management, 29(7), 911–922.
Masli, A., Peters, G. F., Richardson, V. J., & Sanchez, J. M. (2010). Examining the potential benefits of internal control monitoring technology. The Accounting Review, 85(3), 1001–1034.
Mathieu, J., Maynard, M. T., Rapp, T., & Gilson, L. (2008). Team effectiveness 1997–2007: a review of recent advancements and a glimpse into the future. Journal of Management, 34(3), 410–476.
Mumford, M. D., Zaccaro, S. J., Harding, F. D., Jacobs, T. O., & Fleishman, E. A. (2000). Leadership skills for a changing world: solving complex social problems. The Leadership Quarterly, 11(1), 11–35.
Nath, H. V., & Mehtre, B. M. (2015). Analysis of a multistage attack embedded in a video file. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(5), 1029–1037.
National Center for O*NET Development (2013). Skills. O*NET OnLine.. Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Skills/
Ormrod, J. E. (2006). Educational psychology: Developing learners (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.
Palmer, K. N., Ziegenfuss, D. E., & Pinsker, R. E. (2004). International knowledge, skills, and abilities of auditors/accountants: evidence from recent competency studies. Managerial Auditing Journal, 19(7), 889–896.
Pangalos, G., & Katos, V. (2010). Information assurance and forensic readiness. Next Generation Society. Technological and Legal Issues, 181–188.
Papazafeiropoulou, A., & Spanaki, K. (2015). Understanding governance, risk and compliance information systems (GRC IS): the experts view. Information Systems Frontiers, online, 1–13.
Poba-Nzaou, P., Uwizeyemungu, S., Raymond, L., & Paré, G. (2014). Motivations underlying the adoption of ERP systems in healthcare organizations: insights from online stories. Information Systems Frontiers, 16(4), 591–605.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (2004). Integrity-Driven Performance. A New Strategy for Success Through Integrated Governance, Risk and Compliance Management, retrieved on March 26, 2013 at http://www.grc-resource.com/resources/pwc_integritydrivenperformance.pdf
Ryoo, S. Y., & Koo, C. (2013). Green practices-IS alignment and environmental performance: the mediating effects of coordination. Information Systems Frontiers, 15(5), 799–814.
Siegel, P. H., & Miller, J. R. (2010). An international comparison of social interaction attributes of internal auditors: an analysis using the Firo-B. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 14(1), 83.
Sliger, M., & Broderick, S. (2008). The software project manager’s bridge to agility. New Jersey: Addison-Wesley Professional.
Spencer, L. M., & Spencer, P. S. M. (1993). Competence at work models for superior performance. New York: Wiley.
Stoel, D., Havelka, D., & Merhout, J. W. (2012). An analysis of attributes that impact information technology audit quality: a study of IT and financial audit practitioners. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 13(1), 60–79.
Sun, C. M. (2012). From CAATTs adoption to continuous auditing systems implementation: an analysis based on organizational routines theories. MIS REVIEW: An International Journal, 17, 59–85.
Sun, Y., & Upadhyaya, S. (2015). Secure and privacy preserving data processing support for active authentication. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(5), 1007–1015.
Tallman, I., Leik, R. K., Gray, L. N., & Stafford, M. C. (1993). A theory of problem-solving behavior. Social Psychology Quarterly, 56, 157–177.
The IIA Research Foundation (IIARF) (2011). “Imperatives for Change: The IIA’s Global Internal Audit Survey in Action”, The Institute of Internal Auditors. http://www.theiia.org/bookstore/product/imperatives-for-change-the-iias-global-internalaudit-survey-in-action-1557.cfm
The Institute of Internal Auditors. (2006). Continuous auditing: Implications for assurance, monitoring, and risk assessment. Florida: GTAG # 3, IIA.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (2011). Data analysis technologies. GTAG # 16., IIA, 2011.
Vasarhelyi, M. A., Alles, M., Kuenkaikaew, S., & Littley, J. (2012). The acceptance and adoption of continuous auditing by internal auditors: a micro analysis. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 13, 267–281.
Wang, Y., Lo, H. P., & Yang, Y. (2004). The constituents of core competencies and firm performance: evidence from high-technology firms in China. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 21(4), 249–280.
Weerakkody, V., Irani, Z., Lee, H., Osman, I., & Hindi, N. (2013). E-government implementation: a bird’s eye view of issues relating to costs, opportunities, benefits and risks. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(4), 889–915.
Xu, W., Ou, P., & Fan, W. (2015). Antecedents of ERP assimilation and its impact on ERP value: a TOE-based model and empirical test. Information Systems Frontiers, online, 1–18.
Yang, L. (2011). Study on the improvement of the internal audit work in IT environment. In 2011 Fourth International Symposium on Knowledge Acquisition and Modeling (pp. 233–236). IEEE.
Acknowledgments
The study has been supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, R.O.C, under Grant No. 103-2410-H-035 -042 -
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Appendix A
Appendix A
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, TH., Huang, SM., Huang, S.Y. et al. The effect of competencies, team problem-solving ability, and computer audit activity on internal audit performance. Inf Syst Front 19, 1133–1148 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-015-9620-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-015-9620-z