Skip to main content
Log in

IS auditor characteristics, audit process variables, and IS audit satisfaction: An empirical study in South Korea

  • Published:
Information Systems Frontiers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As a result of our inattention to the audit process, its antecedents, and its outcomes, the academic literature has lagged behind contemporary auditing practices as the demand for information systems audits has grown. To address this gap, we propose a model of IS audit satisfaction that includes auditor expertise (AE) and auditor role clarity (ARC) as antecedent variables that affect audit responsiveness (ARES) and audit reliability (AREL), which in turn affect audit satisfaction. We tested this model using survey data from 203 IS projects in South Korean public sector firms. Our results validate the significance of auditor characteristics (AE and ARC) and audit process variables (ARES and AREL) in shaping audit satisfaction. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdolmohammadi, M. J., & Boss, S. R. (2010). Factors associated with IT audits by the internal audit function. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 11(3), 140–151. doi:10.1016/j.accinf.2010.07.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, S., & Green, P. (2012). Effective information technology (IT) governance mechanisms: an IT outsourcing perspective. Information Systems Frontier, 14(2). doi:10.1007/s10796-009-9183-y.

  • Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1982). Some methods for respecting measurement models to obtain unidimensional construct measurement. Journal of Marketing Research, 9(4), 453–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behn, B. K., Carcello, D., & Hermanson, R. H. (1997). The Determinants of Audit Client Satisfaction Among Client of Big 6. Accounting Horizons, 11(1), 24–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behn, B. K., Carcello, J. V., Hermanson, D. R., & Hermanson, R. H. (1999). Client satisfaction and big 6 audit fees. Contemporary Accounting Research, 16(4), 587–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behn, B. K., Choi, J. H., & Kang, T. (2008). Audit quality and properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Accounting Review, 83(2), 327–349. doi:10.2308/accr.2008.83.2.327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brazel, J. F. (2005). A measure of perceived auditor ERP systems expertise: development, assessment, and uses. Managerial Auditing Journal, 20(6), 619–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brazel, J. F., & Agoglia, C. R. (2007). An examination of auditor planning judgements in a complex accounting information system environment. Contemporary Accounting Research, 24(4), 1059 − +. doi:10.1506/Car.24.4.1

  • Carcello, J. V., Hermanson, R. H., & McGrath, N. T. (1992). Audit quality attributes: per perceptions of audit partners, preparers, and financial statement users. Auditing, 11(1), 15–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, D. Y., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2011). Innovation and practice of continuous auditing. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 12(2), 152–160. doi:10.1016/j.accinf.2011.01.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho, I., Changmin, L., Daul, S., Jaque, R., Sojung, K., Hyunmok, O., & Kyeonghee, O. (2008). Information systems audit legislation passed in Korea (pp. 1–6). December: Information Systems Control Journal Online.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, Y. (2005). An empirical study on the efficacy of information systems audit in software development projects. National Information Policy, 11(1), 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, M. B., & Payne, E. A. (2008). An examination of contextual factors and individual characteristics affecting technology implementation decisions in auditing. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 9(2), 104–121. doi:10.1016/j.accinf.2007.10.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, M. B., & Viator, R. E. (2000). An investigation of multidimensional knowledge structure and computer auditor performance. Auditing, 19(2), 21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, M. B., Jenkins, J., Bedard, J. C., & Deis, D. R. (2009). Auditors’ training and proficiency in information systems: a research synthesis. Journal of Information Systems, 23(1), 18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Haes, S., & Van Grembergen, W. (2008). An exploratory study into the design of an IT governance minimum baseline through Delphi research. Communications of AIS, 22, 443–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeAngelo, L. E. (1981). Auditor size and audit quality. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 3, 183–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeFond, M., & Zhang, J. (2014). A review of archival auditing research. Journal of Accounting & Economics, 58(2/3), 275–326. doi:10.1016/j.jacceco.2014.09.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (1992). Information systems success: the quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research, 3(1), 60–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2003). The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: a ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(4), 9–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Agency theory: an assessment and review. Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 57–74. doi:10.5465/AMR.1989.4279003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 81(1), 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gefen, D., Wyss, S., & Lichtenstein, Y. (2008). Business familiarity as risk mitigation in software development outsourcing contract. MIS Quarterly, 32(3), 531--542.

  • Goo, J., & Hwang, G. (2005). A study on the determinants of service quality of information systems audit. Korean Manufacturing management Journal, 16(2), 33–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grabski, S., Reveau, J. H., & West, S. (1987). A comparison of judgment, skills, and prompting effects between auditors and systems analysts. MIS Quarterly, 11(2), 151–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grembergen, W. v., & Haes, S. D. (2008). Implementing information technology governance: Models, practices and cases. Hershey, PA: IGI PUBLISHING.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hunton, J. E., Wright, A. M., & Wright, S. (2004). Are financial auditors overconfident in their ability to assess risks associated with enterprise resource planning systems? Journal of Information Systems, 18(2), 7–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janvrin, D., Bierstaker, J., & Lowe, D. J. (2009). An investigation of factors influencing the use of computer-related audit procedures. Journal of Information Systems, 23(1), 97–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellar, S. A. (2009). Information systems: A concise study: Prentice hall of India.

  • Kelly, T., & Margheim, L. (1990). The impact of time budget pressure, personality, and leadership variables on dysfuctional auditor behavior. Auditing : A Journal of Practice and Theory, 9(2).

  • Kim, D., Kim, H., & Ahn, Y. (2005). The effect of information systems audit pattern on the audit quality and customer satisfaction. Korea IT Service Journal, 4(2), 23–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D., Yang, K., & Kim, H. (2006). A study on the effect of the information system audit fidelity on the customer satisfaction and project performance. Korea IT Service Journal, 5(2), 59–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D., Kim, H., Kang, J., & Yang, K. (2007). A study on the effectiveness factors for information system audit and project performance. National Information Policy, 14(1), 44–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H.-J., Mannino, M., & Nieschwietz, R. J. (2009). Information technology acceptance in the internal audit profession: impact of technology features and complexity. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 10(4), 214–228. doi:10.1016/j.accinf.2009.09.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch, L. J., Sambamurthy, V., Ko, D. G., & Purvis, R. L. (2002). Controlling information systems development projects: the view from the client. Management Science, 48(4), 484–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohli, A. K. (1985). Some unexplored supervisory behaviors and their influence on salespeople’s role clarity, specific self-esteem, job satisfaction, and motivation. Journal of Marketing Research, 12(November), 424–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korunka, C., Scharitzer, D., Carayon, P., & Sainfort, F. (2003). Employee strain and job satisfaction related to an implementation of quality in a public service organization: a longitudinal study. Work and Stress, 17(1), 52–72. doi:10.1080/0267837031000109526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lacity, M. C., & Willcocks, L. P. (1998). An empirical investigation of information technology sourcing practices: lessons from experience. MIS Quarterly, 22(3), 363--408.

  • Malone, C. F., & Roberts, R. W. (1996). Factors associated with the incidence of reduced audit quality behaviors. Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, 15(2), 49–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazza, T., Azzali, S., & Fornaciari, L. (2014). Audit quality of outsourced information technology controls. Managerial Auditing Journal, 29(9), 1–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlan, F. W. (1981). Portfolio approach to information systems. Harvard Business Review, 59, 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKeen, J. D., Guimaraes, T., & Wetherbe, J. C. (1994). The relationship between user participation and user satisfaction: an investigation of four contingency factors. MIS Quarterly, 18(4), 427–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, B. W., & Pushkin, A. B. (1995). Determinants of information systems audit involvement in EDI systems development. Journal of Information Systems, 9(2), 111–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee, A., & Maihotra, N. (2006). Does role clarity explain employee-perceived service quality? International Journal of Service Industry Management, 17(5), 444–473. doi:10.1108/09564230610689777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muliawan, A. D., Green, P. F., & Robb, D. A. (2009). The turnover intentions of information systems auditors. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 10(3), 117–136. doi:10.1016/j.accinf.2009.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nidumolu, S. R. (1995). The effect of coordination and uncertainty on software project performance: residual performance risk as an intervening variable. Information Systems Research, 6(3), 29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. (2004). Introduction to project management 2nd ed. New York: Irwin: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmrose, Z.-V. (1988). An analysis of auditor litigation and audit service quality. Accounting Review, 63, 55–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. L. (1988). SERVQUAL: a multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service qality. Journal of Retailing, 64(1), 12--40.

  • Pathak, J., Lind, M., & Abdolmohammadi, M. (2010). E-commerce audit judgment expertise: does expertise in system change management and information technology auditing mediate E-commerce audit judgment expertise? Informatica Economica, 14(1), 5–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlou, P. A., Huigang, L., & Yajiong, X. (2007). UNDERSTANDING AND MITIGATING UNCERTAINTY IN ONLINE EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIPS: a PRINCIPAL–AGENT PERSPECTIVE. MIS Quarterly, 31(1), 105–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P., MacKenzie, S., Lee, J., & Podsakoff, N. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: a critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redmill, F. (1997). Software projects: evolutionary vs. Big-Bang Delivery. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rittenberg, L., & Charles, P. (1978). The internal auditor’s role in MIS developments. MIS Quarterly, 2(4), 47–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosacker, K. M., & Olson, D. L. (2010). An empirical assessment of IT project selection and evaluation methods in state government. Project Management Journal, 39(1), 49–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sainfort, F. Pascale, C., M. J. Smith, Y. J. Yen, J. Lund, A. Taveira, James, C., P. Hoonakker, C. Korunka. (2000). The development and application of an instrument for measurement of quality institutionalization: IEA 2000/HFES 2000.

  • Sambamurthy, V., & Zmud, R. W. (1999). Arrangements for information technology governance: a theory of multiple contingencies. MIS Quarterly, 23(2), 261–290. doi:10.2307/249754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samelson, D., Lowenshon, S., & Johnson, L. E. (2006). The determinants of perceived audit quality and auditee satisfaction in local government. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, 18(2), 139–166.

  • Sarantis, D., Charalabidis, Y., & Askounis, D. (2006). A goal-driven management framework for electronic government transformation project implementation. Governmental Information Quarterly, 28(2), 117–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayana, S. A. (2002). IS audit process. Information Systems Control Journal, 1.

  • Steiger, J. H. (2007). Understanding the limitations of global fit assessment in structural equation modeling. Personality and Individual Differences, 42(5), 98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suh, S. (2002). The effect of IT audit on national administration network project. Seoul: National information society Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Susan, J. L. (2009). CISA® review manual. IL: ISACA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, S., & Lampe, J. C. (1991). A framework for evaluating process quality for audit engagement. Accounting and Business Research, 21(83), 275–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, T. S., & Ranganathan, C. (2003). Leveraging IT resources and capabilities at the housing and development board. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 12(3), 21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UN. (2012). 2010 United Nations E-Government Survey Award. 2012, from http://www.unpan.org/DPADM/UNPSDayAwards/UNEGovSurveyAwards/tabid/1309/language/en-US/Default.aspx,

  • Wallace, L., Hui, L., & Cefaratti, M. A. (2011). Information security and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance: an exploratory study. Journal of Information Systems, 25(1), 185–211. doi:10.2308/jis.2011.25.1.185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, A. L., Hillison, W., & Morecroft, S. E. (2004). Audit quality: a synthesis of theory and emprical evidence.  Journal of Accounting Literature, 23, 153--194.

  • Weber, R. (1998). Information systems control and audit. New York: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidenmier, M. L., & Ramamoorti, S. (2006). Research opportunities in information technology and internal auditing. Journal of Information Systems, 20(1), 205–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weill, P., & Ross, J. (2005). A matrixed approach to designing IT governance. Mit Sloan Management Review, 46(2), 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willcocks, L. D. F. G. I. (1997). Managing IT as a strategic resources. London, UK: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yetton, P., Martin, A., Sharma, R., & Johnston, K. (2000). A model of information systems development project performance. Information Systems Journal, 10, 17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, J. J., & Zhao, S. Y. (2010). Opportunities and threat: a security assessment of state e-government websites. Governmental Information Quarterly, 27(1), 49–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Jaque Rim (Executive Principal of National Information Agency) and the researchers at the department of IS Audit in NIA, South Korea, for their cooperation and support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kichan Nam.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kim, S.L., Teo, T.S., Bhattacherjee, A. et al. IS auditor characteristics, audit process variables, and IS audit satisfaction: An empirical study in South Korea. Inf Syst Front 19, 577–591 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-015-9612-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-015-9612-z

Keywords

Navigation