ACCOUNTING INFORMATION ATTRIBUTES AND DECISION MAKING IN LISTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study explored the influence of accounting information attributes on decision-making processes within selected listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on the role of precision of accounting information on decision making. The Population of the study consists of 34 manufacturing companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Groups as at 20th December 2024. The simple purposive sampling was used to select the sample size from the study population. Out of all the 34-manufacturing firm listed on Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX) that make up the study population, best ten (10) in terms of operating profit and revenue growth of manufacturing companies were selected. Multi-stage sampling, stratified and simple random, ten (10) companies each from consumer goods and industrial goods were selected. The source of data for this study is primary data. The primary data were sourced through the administration of questionnaire of selected listed manufacturing firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the purpose of data analysis. The findings revealed that precision in accounting information as evidenced by the low p-values (all at <0.05) and high t-values across the various practices significantly influences financial decision-making among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Based on the findings from the study, it was concluded that precision of accounting information when strengthened by robust IT competence, have a profound and measurable impact on decision-making processes within Nigerian manufacturing firms. It underscores the critical role of technical proficiency and data management capabilities, which enable firms to effectively gather, interpret, and apply accounting data for operational decision-making. The study recommends that information technology activities and accounting information systems should be aligned with the overall strategic goals of the firm to ensure more effective decision-making.