Investigating Performance-based Budgeting and Performance Control in Iran's Executive Apparatus Using Balanced Scorecard Technique

In this research, operational budgeting was investigated in the form of four groups of contextual factors, structural factors, human factors and other factors on operational and research budgeting with analytical model, balanced evaluation method. The statistical population of this study is all executive bodies subject to Article (5) of the Civil Service Management Law. Data were obtained using 182 questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation method and Smart PLS software. In this model, the balanced evaluation method was adapted to the three-part cycle of performance management and a three-part model of performance management, based on balanced measurement, is obtained. The results showed that the identified structures in operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive agencies. The structures of “structural factors”, “human factors” and “other factors affecting the implementation of operational budgeting (including personality, acceptance and ability)” have a positive and significant effect on performance, but the structure of “underlying factors” has a significant effect. It does not affect the performance of executive agencies.IntroductionIn traditional budgeting, the goals and emphasis are based solely on financial instruments and accounting of receipts and payments of the public sector (Mio et al., 2022). Also, in the traditional method of budgeting, the ability to plan long-term is limited and the possibility of achieving operations and budget monitoring is very weak.The problem that exists is that organizations pay less attention to budgeting in a new way and as a result, it is not used seriously in strategic decisions. Therefore, the effect of the operational budgeting method on the performance of organizations is not clear (Park & Jang, 2022). On the other hand, despite the sensitivity of the budget and the importance of its economic allocation, this issue has not been seriously considered yet. Therefore, it is necessary to study, discuss and review operational budgeting in organizations.Research QuestionsDespite the different emphasis and requirements of the country's development programs on the implementation of operational budgeting, the following questions are raised:What is the operational budgeting mechanism? What factors, including contextual, structural, human and other factors, are effective on the implementation of operational budgeting? What kind of budgeting model do Iran's executive bodies use? What are the important and influential factors related to operational budgeting? What are the obstacles and problems of operational budgeting in Iran's executive bodies? How to solve the current operational budgeting obstacles and problems?Research hypothesesBased on the theoretical foundations of operational budgeting as well as balanced evaluation and research history, the following hypotheses are presented:The main hypothesis: Operational budgeting variables are effective on the performance of Iran's executive bodies (using the balanced evaluation technique). Sub-hypotheses1) Structural factors in the establishment of operational budgeting are effective on the performance of Iran's executive bodies (using the balanced evaluation technique).2) Background factors in the establishment of operational budgeting are effective on the performance of Iran's executive bodies (using the balanced evaluation technique).3) Human factors in the establishment of operational budgeting are effective on the performance of Iran's executive bodies (using the balanced evaluation technique).4) Other effective factors in the establishment of operational budgeting (including personality factors, acceptance and ability) are effective on the performance of Iran's executive bodies (using the balanced evaluation technique).Literature ReviewThe theoretical foundations of operational budgeting are based on agency theory (Arief, (2020)) and organizational performance improvement (Derfuss, (2016)). In operational budgeting, instead of being based on cost materials, budget information is based on activities, and the results of performance measurement are provided with performance reports. The design and implementation of operational budgeting in any organization is based on three important factors: “planning”, “costing” and “organizational performance evaluation”. Activity-based costing (ABC) is the heart of operational budgeting and the main pillar in budget calculations (Azer and Khadivar, 2013), because activity-based costing is much more suitable for planning and control than traditional methods and provides more accurate information in this field. makes (Namazi, 1998 and 1999).MethodologyThis research is among the few researches that uses the scientific method of construction and experimental proof and is carried out based on pre-determined hypotheses and research plans. (Namazi, 2003). The method of data collection is a questionnaire. The information obtained from the measurement of the variables for the purpose of research tests was used from structural equations and the information was analyzed using Smart PLS version 2 and SPSS version 25 software.ResultsThe value of the T statistic and its statistical significance for the first main hypothesis and all balanced evaluation factors at the 95% confidence level shows as follows:The main hypothesis test: The structures identified in operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.The first sub-hypothesis: The structures identified in the operational budgeting structural factors have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.The second sub-hypothesis: The strength of the model and the background factors of operational budgeting do not have a significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.The third sub-hypothesis: The structures identified in human factors of operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.The fourth sub-hypothesis: The structures identified in other effective factors in operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive.DiscussionThe purpose of this study was to expand the theoretical foundations and provide empirical evidence in the field of operational budgeting in Iran. This development was done by presenting a conceptual model, explaining the organization's strategy and presenting 5 balanced evaluation criteria and testing related hypotheses. The findings of the study confirmed the theoretical foundations of operational budgeting and balanced evaluation. The results of the main hypothesis test of the research showed that the structures identified in operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.ConclusionThe findings of the first, third and fourth sub-hypothesis showed that the structures identified in the structural factors, human factors and other operating budgeting factors of operational budgeting, have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive bodies.The results of the second sub-hypothesis test showed that the variable of operational budgeting background factors does not have a statistically significant effect on the performance of executive bodies. The reason for this can be related to the governmental nature of executive bodies, non-compliance with the requirement to establish operational budgeting and cultural factors such as the resistance of employees and managers to new changes in the body

An empirical investigation of the effects of moderating and mediating variables in business research: Insights from an auditing report

This study examines the empirical impacts of moderating (MO) and mediating (ME) variables in business research, within the context of auditing reports. size, complexity of the operation, and risk of the firm were selected as the independent variable, moderating variable, and mediating variable, respectively. The selection was attempted over 15 years of research (1455 year-firm data) for the firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). The following techniques were employed for testing the hypothesis: Pearson correlation, Levin, Lin, and Chu test, Hausman unit root, and multiple regression. The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between the size of the firm and the type of the auditing report. Moreover, a significant relationship between the size of the company and the type of auditing report is shown in the inventory value of the moderating variables. Furthermore, the same has been displayed in return on the assets and institutional ownership of the mediating variables. However, inventory and institutional ownership demonstrate a significant statistical relationship when moderating and mediating variables are considered simultaneously. The implication of this study is to demonstrate the moderating and mediating variables as significant impediments in the type of auditing report. This would change the design, theory, and implications of this research

Determination of Premier Firms according to Investors Decision Making Model (Evidence of Firms Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange)

The main goal of this paper is determination of premier companies according to investors' decision making model. Based on previous studies, this study applies 6 factors for investors decision making, 3 of which are cash basis (dividend per share, operational cash flow and free cash flow) and 3 others are accrual basis (operational income, earning per share and retained earnings). Data from 109 firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) is collected using Rahavard Novin software for a 13 years period from 2000 to 2013. Then, the firms are ranked based on cash basis, accrual basis and total factors using TOPSIS technique and Excel software. To test the first hypothesis, that is relative proximity index difference, the Friedman test and SPSS and to the second hypothesis, that is the relation between cash and accrual criteria, Spearman correlation and multiple regression tests are used. The first hypothesis test findings show that there is no significant difference between two relative proximity indexes. To determine premier companies, the study uses both cash and basis factors. The results of the second hypothesis test show that investors do not use efficiently scientific models and decision-making techniques

Institutional Ownership and Investment Efficiency: Evidence from Iran

Investment efficiency shows how well a company invests its assets. Although institutional shareholders play undeniable roles in companies, it is not clear whether they are able to monitor managers and make investment decisions or not. This study gives answers to stakeholders, addresses concerns about the effect of the owners on investment efficiency, and aims to add to the literature on emerging markets by investigating the relationship in Iran, a different environment from developed ones. Based on monitoring power, the shareholders are divided into two types: active and passive ones. Investment problems are classified into two types: over- and under-investment problems. The sample consists of 101 firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange between 2010 and 2016. Some regression models are used. The results illustrated that institutional owners have a positive effect on investment efficiency and decrease both over- and under-investment problems and so, the efficient monitoring school is approved. Additionally, active ones are positively correlated with investment efficiency and decrease both investment inefficiency problems. Institutional ownership is the cause of investment efficiency, not the reverse. Based on findings, in emerging markets like Iran’s market, investors are recommended to give notice to the level of active ownership in firms; ownership structure is a good sign of efficiency

Comparison of Vitamin D Level in Preterm and Term Infant–Mother Pairs: A Brief Study

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the general population. Pregnancy and preterm delivery are known as risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Consequently, vitamin D level in women with preterm deliveries might vary from those with term pregnancies. In this study, we aimed to compare vitamin D level in term and preterm infant–mother pairs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2013. Serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in preterm infant-mother pairs (≤ 32 weeks of gestation and birth weight ≤ 1500 g) was compared with term infant-mother pairs within the first 24 hours after delivery. Results: In total, 62 infant-mother pairs were recruited in this study, including 33 preterm (53.2%) and 29 term (46.8%) newborns; overall, 32 (51.6%) infants were male. the mean maternal age was 27.3 years in the preterm group and 26.4 years in the term group. The mean serum vitamin D level in preterm infants was 13.91 ng/ml. In the preterm group, vitamin D level was within the range of 4-59 ng/ml in newborns and 8-62 ng/ml in mothers. In the term group, the mean vitamin D level was 13.39 in infants and 13.7 ng/ml in mothers. In total, 48.5% and 65.5% of preterm and term groups had vitamin D deficiency, respectively. Among all newborns, 56% had vitamin D deficiency, although the difference between term and preterm neonates was not statistically significant. Also, there was no significant correlation between the infants’ serum vitamin D level and birth weight. Based on the findings, serum vitamin D levels in mothers and newborns were significantly correlated (

The Comparison of Nailfold Capillaroscopy between Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Healthy Controls: Correlation with Laboratory and Clinical Parameters

Background. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a noninvasive technique to recognize peripheral microangiopathy, which is an important feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) changes in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), find out patterns of these changes, and correlate findings with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods. Forty-nine patients with SLE, all meeting the 1997 revised ACR criteria for SLE classification, and 30 healthy controls were included. A digital video camera was used to capture nailfold capillary images. Computerized image processing was used for analysis. Results. Different abnormal NFC changes were observed with abnormal morphology, the increased diameter and abnormal loop densities in 55.1%, 93.9%, and 26.5% of the patients, respectively. No statistically significant differences were depicted between capillaroscopy with age, gender, autoantibodies (APLs, anti-ds DNA), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, thrombotic angiopathy, renal function tests (Bun, Cr), and abnormal urine analysis. However, a significant correlation was found between the branched pattern and the CNS involvement group (P value <0.03). Conclusions. Different abnormal NFC changes are quite common among patients with SLE, and nailfold capillaroscopy is an effective method to monitor such changes. Treatment strategies may change in the branched pattern of nailfold capillaroscopy due to CNS involvement

Evaluation of important human CYP450 isoforms and P-glycoprotein phenotype changes and genotype in type 2 diabetic patients, before and after intensifying treatment regimen using Geneva cocktail

The present study evaluates the influence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on important CYP450 (CYP) isoforms and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transporter activities before and 3 months after an intensifying treatment regimen involving 40 patients. Results have been compared with 21 non-T2D healthy participants (the control group). CYPs and Pgp activities were assessed after administering the Geneva cocktail. The mean metabolic ratios (MR) for CYP2B6 (1.81 ± 0.93 versus 2.68 ± 0.87), CYP2C19 (0.420 ± 0.360 versus 0.687 ± 0.558) and CYP3A4/5 (0.487 ± 0.226 versus 0.633 ± 0.254) significantly decreased in T2D patients compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). CYP2C9 (0.089 ± 0.037 versus 0.069 ± 0.017) activities slightly increased in diabetic patients, and no difference was observed regarding CYP1A2 (0.154 ± 0.085 versus 0.136 ± 0.065), CYP2D6 (1.17 ± 0.56 versus 1.24 ± 0.83), and Pgp activities in comparison to the control group. Three months after the intensifying treatment regimen, MRs of CYP2C9 (0.080 ± 0.030) and CYP3A4/5 (0.592 ± 0.268) improved significantly and were not statistically different compared to the control group (P &gt; 0.05). Several covariables, such as inflammatory markers (IL-1β and IL-6), genotypes, diabetes and demographic-related factors, were considered in the analyses. The results indicate that chronic inflammatory status associated with T2D modulates CYP450 activities in an isoform-specific manner