Hierarchical analysis of the accounting indicators under the optical of the managerial performance / Análise hierárquica dos indicadores contábeis sob a óptica do desempenho empresarial

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Theoretical referencing allows us to characterize analysis of financial statements as an eminently subjective activity, despite the formulation of relationships, calculation of indexes and the use of tables of standard indicators. Decision theory establishes that individuals choose the alternatives considered to the most appropriate for reaching their desired objectives and the presuppositions of the theory of rationality establish that people only consider a part of reality in the decision making process. Given this, the principal problem dealt with in this research was to respond to the question of whether it is possible to associate accounting indicators in order to differentiate performance, considering the perceptions and evaluations of a set of researchers studying technique. The objective of the thesis is to develop an instrument to evaluate the economic-financial performance of companies, starting with the association of accounting techniques to analyst expertise. For the attainment of this objective technical AHP was used (Analytic Hierarchy Process). Research results indicate the viability of the use of the AHP in the process of establishing hierarchy in companies. As such, two adjustments to the original AHP model technique were made. The first was the use of the Delphi technique for selection of the accounting indicators and the second was the use of measurements of distance for comparing indicators between companies. The Delphi technique was applied three times, directed at a group of 19 specialists, which allowed the attainment of two objectives: obtaining a consensus of opinion, thus reducing individual subjectivity; and identifying and establishing a hierarchy of the set of indicators that allow comparison of the economic and financial situations of companies. In this stage, the indicators pointed to were: return on liquid asset, return on asset, operating profit, composition of debt, net profit, asset turnover and growth in sales. The next stage of the model was to make a comparison of the values of indicators between the companies. Euclidean distance was used as a measure of comparison; in this way, the quantitative characteristic of accounting indicators was maintained. Two listings were designed for analysis and comparison of the proposed model: one applying the AHP methodology in the indicators selected by the annual edition of the Melhores e Maiores, and the other through selection of indicators using the factorial analysis technique. Analysis of the results reached with application of the AHP method allows the affirmation that the objectives proposed in this work were reached and thus support the thesis that it is possible to develop hierarchies of business performance by means of a small number of indicators in a scientific and methodological way, using quantitative methods tied to the expertise of specialists. The subjectivity inherent to the model can, initially, constitute an obstacle to its acceptance, although the model possesses a robust theoretical foundation (mathematical and statistical) that together with other mathematical tools, reduces its subjectivity and guarantees reliability.

ASSUNTO(S)

accounting indicators análise hierárquica desempenho indicadores contábeis performance of companies analytic hierarchy contabilidade

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