Public-Sector Accounting Reforms and Governmental Efficiency: A Two-Stage Approach

The research problem: We investigated the association between public-sector accounting reforms and efficiency at a central-government level, assessing efficiency through a global perspective. Motivation: The effects of financial management reforms on efficiency have rarely been investigated. We contribute to the academic debate concerning both public-sector accounting reforms (implementation of international accounting standards and accrual-accounting systems) and governmental efficiency, merging two streams of literature that have not been investigated thoroughly. The test hypotheses H-1: Countries that have implemented IPSAS are more efficient. H-2: Countries that have implemented accrual-accounting systems are more efficient. Target population: We used a sample of 22 European countries in the period 2010-2018. Adopted methodology: We adopted a two-step approach: first, we created several efficiency indicators using different techniques; second, we implemented a model to test our hypotheses. Analyses: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique, DEA with application of the bootstrap technique, and Order-m model Findings: Accrual accounting was positively associated with efficiency while findings did not totally support an association with IPSAS.