Patrick R. Wheeler

Accounting Information Systems Research Opportunities Using Personality Type Theory and the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator

The cognitive science paradigm, with its computational and information processing models of the human mind, dominates much of current accounting information systems (AIS) research. While these models aid our understanding of cognition, it is unclear how much of the mind they explain. Personality type theory (PTT) is one supplement to cognitive science. PTT is especially useful for AIS researchers because an extensively tested and validated psychometric instrument based on PTT, the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), is available for use in practice and research. We provide an overview of PTT and the MBTI and discuss how AIS researchers can use PTT to complement and extend current research initiatives. We highlight opportunities for PTT‐based AIS research by posing research questions, the investigation of which contributes to the AIS literature.

The Effects of Exclusive User Choice of Decision Aid Features on Decision Making

Decision Support Systems (DSS) frequently have multiple decision aid (DA) features, causing users to engage in exclusive choice behavior; i.e., choice between alternative DA features that results in one feature being used to the exclusion of all others. We hypothesize that: (1) users choose the least effective (least accurate) DA feature in certain predictability environments; (2) users choose the DA feature that they believe they are most competent with; and (3) choice between DA features improves performance compared to those assigned the same DA feature. We test these hypotheses in an experiment in which 164 participants act as loan officers who chose between two decision aids (a database aid and a regression aid). The results support our hypotheses. Users employed a choice heuristic that caused them to choose the least effective DA feature for the task more than or as often as the most effective DA feature. Results also indicate a positive relationship between perceived competence and DA feature choic...

The effects of attitudinal ambivalence and exploratory switching behavior on the use of two decision aids

Abstract Decision aids are commonly designed to provide users with more task domain knowledge than that possessed by the users. Also, decision support systems often provide users with two or more decision aids for performing similar tasks, which can lead to switching between the aids. These aspects of decision aid use can combine to cause users to experience attitudinal ambivalence (i.e., simultaneously holding conflicting feelings or beliefs) toward the presence of the multiple decision aids. This study investigates the relationships among ambivalence, switching, and task performance in a behavioral experiment involving two decision aids. Based on attitudinal ambivalence research, we hypothesize that: (1) ambivalence toward two decision aids leads to switching between them; (2) switching is exploratory behavior that improves performance; and (3) switching occurs more when using decision aids with high-interactivity than when using those with low-interactivity. In this study, business students acting as bank loan officers process commercial loan applications using two decision aids (a regression prediction and a database list), between which they could freely switch. From a cognitive perspective, most participants (91%) viewed their decision aid environment as highly ambivalent. Switching occurred 23% of the time and in 89% of the participants. As expected, as switching increased, performance improved, and switching and performance improvements occurred with the high-interactivity database aid more than with the low-interactivity regression aid. The results provide weak support for the predicted relationship between cognitive ambivalence and switching, and none for emotional ambivalence and switching. Also, as switching increased, time to complete tasks (as a proxy for effort) increased.

RETRACTED: Continuous monitoring and the status quo effect

Hunton et al. (Hunton J., Mauldin E., Wheeler P. Potential functional and dysfunctional effects of continuous monitoring. The Accounting Review 2008; 83(6):1551-1569) observed that while continuous monitoring reduced earnings management of discretionary expenditures, it also dampened the willingness of managers to increase investment in a risky but viable long-term project. The current study examines why continuous monitoring appeared to trigger such risk aversion. Sixty-one managers participated in a vignette-based experiment that replicated Hunton et al. (2008), except that instead of making their own decisions, participants evaluated a fictitious manager, Bob, who already made a decision consistent with the results reported in Hunton et al. (2008). This revised design seeks to minimize self-presentation bias while providing further evidence about the reasons for Hunton et al.s (2008) results. As expected, we find that continuous monitoring (relative to periodic monitoring) increased the perceived likelihood that Bobs decisions would be detected and the likelihood that Bob would be asked to justify his decisions to his superiors. We also find that managers rated the status quo decision to maintain the current level of investment in the ongoing project (made under continuous monitoring) easier to defend than either the decision to increase or decrease the current level of investment (made under periodic monitoring). Further, the status quo decision was viewed as equally credible and trustworthy to superiors as increasing the investment in the project, the latter being judged as most consistent with both the long-term success of the project and Bobs future opportunities. Combined, these results suggest that continuous monitoring can increase the perceived need to justify, which in turn encourages managers to maintain the status quo. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

The Effects of Expanded Independent Assurance on the Use of Firm‐Initiated Disclosures by Investors with Limited Business Knowledge

ABSTRACT: While increased disclosure is helpful in reducing information asymmetry, investors tend to discount firm‐initiated disclosures due to the perception that management may be biased, resulting in lower stock prices. To reduce the perception of bias, assurances by independent auditors can be attached to firm disclosures not typically covered by the traditional audit. However, until recently, it was not technologically feasible to have independent assurances accompany all firm‐initiated disclosures (i.e., expanded assurance). In an experimental study, we investigate whether having assurances accompany all firm disclosures will be perceived by nonprofessional investors with limited business knowledge as helpful in reducing investment risk. We use liberal arts students as proxies for these investors. Findings suggest that participants discount share prices for perceived bias in firm‐initiated disclosures in the absence of independent assurance; however, in the presence of such assurance, participants s...

Experimental methods in decision aid research

In this overview of experimental decision aid research, we examine some of the basic considerations necessary when conducting this type of research. We next look at several specific lessons we have learned over our combined careers in this research stream. Whether dealing with the basics or specific lessons learned, we provide the reader a foundational understanding of the problems involved and suggestions toward solutions. We conclude by discussing some of the unique advantages and disadvantages of doing decision aid research using experimental methods. Specifically, we note that experimental decision aid research spans a wide range of human experience, from psychology to technology, and that it is well placed to get to the “why” behind the “what” experiments find.

The Psychology of Case‐Based Reasoning: How Information Produced from Case‐Matching Methods Facilitates the Use of Statistically Generated Information

Case‐based reasoning (CBR) research has compared CBR output to other decision support methods such as statistics. This study differs by evaluating the effect of CBR as an input to judgment. We develop psychological theory concerning the use of CBR and its attenuation of biases that impair the use of statistical advice. Study 1 finds participants shown CBR cases made judgments closer to regression advice than do participants shown only regression advice. Study 2 finds that regression and CBR were used to corroborate each other. Participants used central tendency and dispersion information from CBR cases when this information was apparent in the cases. However, such use was not always normative. Results support including multiple decision aiding features in decision support systems (DSS).