Our investigative task is predicated on in-depth interviews
with audit committee members of Canadian public companies. The analysis indicates that
the interviews are mainly reflective of a logic of resistance, which is especially sustained
through interpretive strategies ultimately attributing the collapses of Enron and Arthur
Andersen to atypical and unrepresentative actors. Prescriptions calling for a strengthening
of the audit committee’s role are deemed irrelevant in this context; mandatory changes
tend to be superficially implemented and do not translate into a significant shift in committee
members’ ways of thinking and doing. However, our interviews point to one specific
area where substantive change developed, that is to say committee members’ views regarding
the association between audit fees and audit quality. As such, our paper consolidates
literature on trials of strength in bringing further light on their complexities – specifically
in showing that trials can be tentacular (being loosely related to one another), paradoxical
(generating resistance and compliance simultaneously), and secretive (taking place behind
closed doors). Implications in terms of democratic governance are discussed.
Our investigative task is predicated on in-depth interviews
with audit committee members of Canadian public companies. The analysis indicates that
the interviews are mainly reflective of a logic of resistance, which is especially sustained
through interpretive strategies ultimately attributing the collapses of Enron and Arthur
Andersen to atypical and unrepresentative actors. Prescriptions calling for a strengthening
of the audit committee’s role are deemed irrelevant in this context; mandatory changes
tend to be superficially implemented and do not translate into a significant shift in committee
members’ ways of thinking and doing. However, our interviews point to one specific
area where substantive change developed, that is to say committee members’ views regarding
the association between audit fees and audit quality. As such, our paper consolidates
literature on trials of strength in bringing further light on their complexities – specifically
in showing that trials can be tentacular (being loosely related to one another), paradoxical
(generating resistance and compliance simultaneously), and secretive (taking place behind
closed doors). Implications in terms of democratic governance are discussed.
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