Strategic management accounting and benchmarking practices in Malaysian hospitals

• Published in: Journal of Applied Sciences Research
• Main Author: Abdul Rahman I.K.; Azhar Z.; Abdul Rahman N.H.; Mohd Daud N.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865963006&partnerID=40&md5=67c8373613de2df1e1595b30f8060c41

This paper describes the use of a particular management accounting technology - benchmarking in three Malaysian hospitals. Results of interviews with decision support specialists and medical experts revealed their focus of this innovative technology on strategic management accounting (SMA) practices. Comparative analysis is presented to show differences of SMA application in individual hospital setting. The results of this study suggested that the fundamental differences between the model hospital and two other hospitals have been identified mainly on the managerial approaches and the extent of application of this SMA technology in improving business operations and decision-making functions. The model hospital has been identified based on merit of best practices in its business solution. Desirability of individual hospitals towards benchmarking is separately analysed with emphasis on managerial areas or functions. This study is perhaps the one that focuses on investigating management accounting technology practices in various hospitals in Malaysia.