CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY 51
Researching Internal Audit Function Using Mixed Methods
4.1. Introduction 51
4.2. Paradigm 51
4.3. Research Process 53
4.4. The Model of Internal Audit Function within Corporate Governance 56
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4.5. Measurement 64
4.5.1. True score theory 65
4.5.2. Latent trait theory 65
4.5.3. Rasch model 66
4.6. Validity and Reliability 69
4.7. Normality of Data 73
4.8. Data Collection 74
4.8.1. Survey 74
4.8.2. Survey data collection 77
4.8.3. Research interview 77
4.8.4. Statistics and software 85
4.9. Summary 86
CHAPTER 5: QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND
HYPOTHESES TESTING 87
The Performance of an Internal Audit Function and its Impact on Corporate
Governance
5.1. Introduction 87
5.2. Response Rate 87
5.3. Profile of Respondents 90
5.4. Initial Analysis 92
5.5. Rasch Measurement Analysis 93
5.5.1. Fit statistics 94
5.5.2. Unidimensionality 96
5.5.3. Individual item fit 96
5.5.4. Rating scale design 97
5.5.5. Targeting 99
5.5.6. Scale of item difficulties 101
5.5.6.1. Audit committee involvement 103
5.5.6.2. Internal audit activities 104
a) Audit planning 104
b) Audit execution 105
c) Audit reporting 105
d) Audit monitoring 106
5.5.6.3. Corporate governance 106
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5.5.7. Internal auditors’ profile 107
5.6. Internal Audit Function Model 109
5.7. Hypotheses Testing 111
5.7.1. Assessing goodness-of-fit under classical test theory 111
5.7.2. Characteristics of internal audit functions 111
5.7.3. Audit team members 114
5.7.4. Audit team expertise 117
5.7.5. Audit team experience 119
5.7.6. Combined audits 121
5.7.7. Audit collaborations 122
5.7.8. Competency of audit committee 125
5.7.9. Review of internal audit plan by audit committee 127
5.7.10. Review of internal audit execution by audit committee 128
5.7.11. Review of actions on internal audit recommendations
by audit committee 129
5.7.12. Impact on corporate governance 130
5.8. Summary 131
CHAPTER 6: QUALITATIVE DATA 136
In-Depth Interviews with Chief Audit Executives
6.1. Introduction 136
6.2. Respondents’ Profiles and Views on Internal Audit 136
6.2.1. Company A 136
6.2.2. Company B 137
6.2.3. Company C 138
6.2.4. Company D 140
6.2.5. Company E 142
6.3. Data Analysis 143
6.4. Key Differences in Profiles 145
6.5. Establishment of IAF 147
6.5.1. Outsourced IAF 147
6.5.2. In-house IAF 149
6.5.2.1. Auditors’ competency and collaborations 149
6.5.2.2. Critical audit activities 150
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6.6. IAF Relationship with Audit Committee 152
6.7. Corporate Governance 154
6.8. Agency of Value 156
6.9. Summary 158
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION 159
The Performance of the Internal Audit Function on Corporate Governance
7.1. Introduction 159
7.2. Investigation on Internal Audit Function 159
7.3. Implications 166
7.3.1. Theoretical Implications 166
7.3.2. Implications for Research Methodology 167
7.3.3. Implications for Policy Makers 168
7.3.4. Implications for Practice 169
7.4. Limitations of the Current Study 171
7.4.1. Small sample size 171
7.4.2. Generalisability 171
7.4.3. Sensitiveness of the Study 172
7.5. Suggestions for Future Research 172
7.5.1. Extending Rasch measurement 172
7.5.2. Respondents for qualitative enquiry 172
7.5.3. Data collection 173
7.5.4. Research paradigm 173
7.6. Conclusion 173
REFERENCES 174