Examining the Impact of Culture on Transparency of the Financial Reporting and the Enhancement of Accountability in Public Sector in the Universities of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: The present study has investigated the effect of culture on transparency of reporting and accountability in public sector in the universities of medical sciences by using the effects of Schwartz cultural values on the transparency of financing reporting and accountability. Methods: The current study is characterized as descriptive-survey research and its statistical population consists of 160 accountants from five medical universities of the provinces: Kermanshah, Kordestan, Ilam, Hamedan, and Khorasane Razavi from which a sample consisting of 101 participants was selected using Cochran’s formula. The required data for testing the hypotheses were collected through questionnaire. To test the hypotheses of the study, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients have been used. Results: The results of the study state that among ten cultural values self-reliance, security, universalism, tradition rules, regulations, and benevolence have a positive and significant impact on transparency and accountability; however, the impact of welfare, power, risk taking, and professional competence did not support transparency and accountability. Conclusion:The findings of the study indicate the influence of accountants' personal and social cultural values on transparency and accountability. Therefore, it is necessary that the Ministry of Health and Medical Education pay more attention to the cultural aspects to improve transparency and accountability. A lot of previous researches all over the world show the important effect of cultural values on accounting procedures.

Keywords

• culture
• transparency of financial reporting
• accountability
• public sector