The Impact of Accounting Information and Socioeconomic Factors in the Re-Election of Portuguese Mayors

The Impact of Accounting Information and Socioeconomic Factors in the Re-Election of Portuguese Mayors

Ana Maria Cunha, Augusta da Conceição Santos Ferreira, Maria José Fernandes
Copyright: © 2018 |Pages: 27
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3731-1.ch019
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Abstract

The limited literature on the subject of this chapter only assesses whether accounting information has an impact on the electoral results, particularly in local governments. The authors are not aware of any study that evaluates the influence of accounting information and socioeconomic factors on the re-election of mayors, particularly in Portugal. Based on the assumptions of agency theory, the authors start with the research question, Do accounting information and socioeconomic factors influence the re-election of Portuguese mayors? The research methodology used is the quantitative type, through which a multivariate analysis of data was performed on 308 Portuguese municipalities in two elections cycles. Although the results did not show statistical significance for all the variables, the authors verified that certain variables of accounting nature and some socioeconomic factors appear to show potential for influencing re-election.
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Background

The NPM had its beginnings in the 70s of last century in the Anglo-Saxon countries, with special focus on the United Kingdom, although not solely a British development (Hood, 1991) and this movement was a milestone for the entire public sector, since it revolutionised the bureaucratic system of public organisations.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Agency Theory: The agency theory embodies an agency contract; there is a relationship between a principal (shareholder or citizen) and an agent (manager), and the main agent assumes the role of decision-making.

Municipalities: Entities inherent to local governments with legal personality and administrative and financial autonomy, which are primarily intended to serve the local community.

Re-Election: Term that is associated with the second election of a public manager.

Mayor: Person who assumes the role of public manager.

Public Accountability: The inherent responsibility to a public manager in particular at the level of their performance and the level of accountability.

New Public Management: A British movement; a new paradigm for public sector organisations that has introduced new concepts and a new perception of public management.

Accounting Information: Information of accounting nature produced and disseminated by public or private entities.

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