Forecasting in Austrian companies: Do small and large Austrian companies differ in their forecasting processes?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is a comparison of forecasting behaviour of small and large Austrian firms, analysing their forecast practices in a volatile business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical analysis of the paper, deductive by nature, was conducted by means of a quantitative online-survey (199 data sets). The relationship of perceived volatility and forecast predictability was evaluated by correlation analysis. t-Test and analysis of variances were used to examine significant differences in the forecast characteristics between small and large Austrian companies and different industries.
Findings
The study provides evidence that the surveyed companies have been hit by volatility, showing that Austrian SMEs are significantly more severely affected than large companies. The increasing volatility correlates with a reduced forecast predictability of sales quantities and commodity prices. Large Austrian companies primarily use a broad spectrum of qualitative forecasting methods. In contrast, Austrian SMEs utilize simple quantitative and qualitative forecast techniques, like the forward projection of historical data.
Research limitations/implications
Relevant for the forecasting of small and large companies.
Practical implications
Although management requests a broad spectrum of forecast qualities, the current usage of less sophisticated methods reveals a gap between intention and reality. Companies that supplement their qualitative techniques by sophisticated quantitative ones should expect less forecast bias.
Originality/value
This paper initially compares forecast methods in large and small Austrian firms and additionally provides the impact of volatility on the forecast predictability.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this paper are grateful for the support of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. Thanks to Dr Othmar Lehner for his supportive advice enriching especially the methodology of the paper.
Citation
Hofer, P., Eisl, C. and Mayr, A. (2015), "Forecasting in Austrian companies: Do small and large Austrian companies differ in their forecasting processes?", Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 359-382. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-10-2014-0113
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited