This case study evaluated the effectiveness of performance measurement framework (PMF) in elevating operational efficiency, with a primary focus on Simbisa Brands, the largest chain in Zimbabwe. The research on the fast food industry in this developing country investigated how the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) could be integrated to monitor the key performance indicators (KPIs) of an organization, in respect of financial performance, customer satisfaction, internal processes, and employee training. Using a mixed method approach, structured questionnaires were distributed to employees, and interviews were conducted with key employees and stakeholders at Simbisa Brands. Results indicated that while the PMF of Simbisa aligned with its strategic objectives, significant challenges and obstacles to operational effectiveness existed in data quality, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. Moreover, the unstable economic environment in Zimbabwe further complicated financial reporting and cost management. The BSC framework, which aligned KPIs with strategic goals, could effectively track financial performance and customer loyalty in the industry to boost operational excellence and support sustainable growth. Recommendations to stakeholders were proposed to continuously improve data quality, enhance employee involvement, and refine performance metrics to deliver the best purchasing experiences. For Simbisa Brands and other similar organizations, this research offered valuable insights to assist them in gaining competitive advantages and long-term success in the face of challenging business environments.

The objectives of this study are to (i) ascertain the major quantitative and qualitative factors influencing the determination of materiality thresholds in the private sector external audits performed by large and medium-sized Maltese audit firms, (ii) assess the effectiveness of ISA 320 in the determination of such materiality thresholds, as well as the impact of introducing more prescriptive guidelines within the Standard, and (iii) assess the current level of professional judgement and its effectiveness in determining materiality thresholds, as well as ascertain the typical challenges involved in exercising such judgement. A predominantly qualitative mixed-methods approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with twelve audit partners from large and medium-sized Maltese audit firms. The findings indicated that the major quantitative factors influencing overall materiality were 5–10% of profit before tax and 1–3% of total revenue. The major quantitative factor influencing performance materiality and the clearly trivial threshold was 75% and 5% of overall materiality, respectively. Additionally, the major qualitative factors influencing materiality thresholds were fraud and litigation risk, quality of client internal controls, auditor critical thinking skills, client complexity, the client’s sector and a change in auditor. Furthermore, the findings indicated that ISA 320 provided sufficient guidance for determining materiality thresholds. Moreover, the most cited benefit of introducing more prescriptive guidelines within the Standard was greater consistency among auditors, while the most cited drawback was the limitation on professional judgement. The findings also revealed that professional judgement was crucial and generally effective in determining materiality thresholds. However, auditors typically faced a few challenges when exercising such judgement, of which time pressure and the setting of appropriate thresholds are particularly significant.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted in this study covering the period between 2015 and 2024 to establish a roadmap for big data analytics in auditing. Excel, RStudio, and R software were employed to analyse the performance, co-occurrences, citations, and authorship of 91 articles selected from the Scopus database. According to the acquired results and pertinent observations, 2022 was the most productive year with 21 publications. The Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting was the most prolific journal, with ten publications. Besides, a total of 40 articles originated from the United States, significantly surpassing the number of publications issued by other countries. These findings indicated a growing attention on research related to audit quality and big data analytics in auditing. This thorough review provided insights into the historical background and current status of data analytics and auditing, while identifying gaps that necessitated further academic inquiry. The study provided a performance analysis and described the evolution of a profession, functioning as a vital resource for researchers and professionals who aim to understand emerging research trends in the pursuit of future studies.