Analyses demonstrate that the current Semi-Open Innovation external audit model is inefficient because it has led to market concentration, conflicting interests, and even fraud.
Authors
Vishal Pandey, Jindal Global Business School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Alessio Faccia, School of Business, University of Birmingham Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Charu Banga, School of Business and Law, De Montfort University Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Summary
Open Innovation (OI) models have been studied in many fields. However, the challenges and opportunities of a possible OI paradigm application in external auditing have been under-researched. Recent corporate scandals are currently triggering changes and improvements in the regulatory framework by targeting, in particular, the dominance of the so-called “Big Four”.
The main research question is whether a permissioned blockchain ecosystem could better enhance an OI paradigm and prove more suitable than the Semi-Open Innovation (SOI) paradigm that currently shapes the external audit field. Some challenges are considered in this article.
Notably, blockchain requires suitable legal frameworks to ensure legally binding transactions. Moreover, multidisciplinary teams and high investments are required to develop efficient blockchain ecosystems and exploit the power of data analytics. Systematic analysis is performed based on a relevant literature review, along with abductive reasoning and applied modelling methodologies.
The analyses demonstrate that the current Semi-Open Innovation external audit model is inefficient because it has led to market concentration, conflicting interests, and even fraud. Therefore, the regulators’ role in promoting fully Open Innovation models in the audit industry is essential to ensure transparency, information sharing, fair competition, innovation, and collaboration among audit professionals.
Hence, this research aims at providing a different perspective by focusing on the necessary assumptions needed to ensure successful application of technologies in the audit field. The innovative introduction of a permissioned blockchain-based audit system is also suggested to ensure the feasibility of the shift from Semi-Open to Open Innovation.
Published in: Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity
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