ESSAYS ON DIGITALIZATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION

The aim of this PhD dissertation is to conduct exploratory research study to obtain the views of relevant stakeholders for the use and impact of digitalization, robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies on the accounting profession. The purpose is to investigate the extent to which these technologies are being applied in the accounting domain and examine the value creation of these technologies. Views are also sought on the perceptions, challenges, and rationale towards the (non) adoption of such technologies in the accounting domain. AI and relevant technologies are disrupting many industries and businesses across the globe and have potential to disrupt the accounting domain as well as the role of accountants and CFOs. However, these topics have not been discussed much in the accounting literature and there is lack of empirical studies in this domain. Three studies were undertaken to help fill the literature gaps. A literature review study reviewed over 60 articles to synthesize the scholarly work on digitalization and AI technologies in the accounting domain. This article gave an overview of the potential impact of these technologies on the accounting profession along with highlighting the 22 research gaps and 75 potential future research questions. An extensive exploratory, empirical in-depth study provided insights about how and why organizations are implementing AI technologies in the accounting domain in accounting and non-accounting firms in different sectors and industries in Scandinavian countries. In addition, it compared the challenges, drivers, and barriers to (non) adoption of AI technologies in the accounting domain in both type of firms. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with CFOs, accounting directors, head of reporting, accounting managers and consultants working in different accounting and non-accounting organizations. It is the first study that compare the drivers and barriers to adoption of AI technologies in accounting and non-accounting firms. Third study explored deeply how these AI technologies impact the roles of accountants and CFOs, future job opportunities along with desired skillset and competencies using twenty-five semi-structured interviews with key important accounting professionals and 8 CFOs. This doctoral dissertation thus contains the outcomes of these three research studies along with general insights from research stream on the impact of AI technologies which will guide practitioners in understanding the value creations and perceptions towards the applications of such technologies in the accounting domain. Furthermore, this dissertation suggests that findings also have implications for accountants and CFOs to upgrade themselves for changing job roles and future job opportunities and responsibilities triggered by these technologies. This PhD dissertation contributes theoretically to the research on AI technologies in the accounting profession and establishes a foundation for future research in these areas.