Professional Documents
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Lean in Commercial Bank
Lean in Commercial Bank
The Extent of Using Lean Accounting Tools and their Impact on the
Achievement of a Competitive Advantage in the Jordanian
Commercial Banks
FADYA BURHAN ALHAJ AHMAD
Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business and Finance,
World Islamic Science University, Amman,
JORDAN
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the extent of using lean accounting tools and their impact on the
achievement of a competitive advantage in the Jordanian commercial banks. To meet the goals of this study, the
researcher designed a questionnaire. The questionnaire forms were passed to Jordanian commercial banks that
were listed on Amman stock exchange before the period 31/12/2020. Those banks are thirteen banks. A purposive
sample was chosen. It consists from 78 administrators working in Jordanian commercial banks.The researcher
found that the extent of using lean accounting tools in those banks is high. It was found that the extent of exerting
effort by those banks to achieve a competitive advantage is high. It was found that using lean accounting tools
jointly has an impact on achieving a competitive advantage in those banks. In the light of the study’s results, the
researcher offered several recommendations. They recommend providing more attention to the extent of using lean
accounting tools by the management of those banks. That should be done to benefit from the merits of
implementing them and seek achieving a competitive advantage.
Received: September 9, 2021. Revised: June 28, 2022. Accepted: July 21, 2022. Published: September 5, 2022.
affecting the achievement of a competitive advantage the use of resources and utilizing them optimally. It’s
include: making ongoing improvements to the provided through eliminating the activities and
quality of the provided services in order to provide operations that don’t add value. Thus, more attention
customers with value. They include improving the must be provided to showing excellence in the
operational activities and reducing the extent of delivery of services. More attention must be
wasting resources in organizations. Thus, banks provided to finding modern accounting tools and
today seek using tools and methods that enable them methods that allow organization to manage their
to deliver a variety of banking services of high service costs efficiently. Such tools and methods
quality. They seek offering a variety of banking include the modern cost and administrative
services of high quality in order to raise the accounting tools and methods. Those tools and
satisfaction of services, and raise their market share. methods have been developing much in order to fit
They seek offering such services to show creativity, with the changes and developments that occurred to
and innovation, and reduce the costs in a manner that the work environment [61]. Companies -including
is distinguished from the manner adopted by the industrial companies – seek providing attention
competing local, regional and global banks. The today to lean production. Lean accounting emerged
conventional cost accounting, and administrative to meet the demands of the business environment. It
accounting systems became ineffective in meeting involves using lean accounting methods. Those
the demands of banks in the light of exerting effort to methods aim at reducing the wastage in resources
raise the quality of services and reduce costs. Banks and providing the best information needed for
today seek using lean accounting methods and tools. making the right decision on the right time [35]. It’s
Those methods and tools have proven their been proven that lean accounting tools are effective
effectiveness in the industrial sector in terms of in carrying out the control operations, making
providing the needed information. Such information decisions, and reducing and rationalizing costs. That
enables organisations to utilize resources optimally has been proven in organizations in general and
and keep up with the latest developments in the industrial organizations in particular. In the industrial
markets. It prepares organisations to speed up and banking sectors, more attention is provided to
operations, reduce the wastage in the resources in the use of lean accounting tools. Banks have been
operations and reduce the number of the committed providing attention to lean accounting tools to get
mistakes. It enables organisations to meet the more information about the way of improving the
demands of customers and markets. It prepares decision making process, reducing costs, save time,
organizations to reduce costs [2]. Thus, this study getting rid of the unnecessary operations and
aimed to explore the extent of using lean accounting focusing on customer value [33] They have been
tools and their impact on the achievement of a providing attention to lean accounting tools to ensure
competitive advantage in the Jordanian commercial their survival, and achieve a competitive advantage.
banks. The problem of this study is represented in exploring
the extent of using lean accounting tools and their
1.2 Statement of the Problem impact on the achievement of a competitive
The technological developments and environmental advantage in the Jordanian commercial banks. This
changes forced Jordanian commercial banks to study offered answers to the questions below:
provide attention to the improvement of their 1- What is the extent of using the lean accounting
competitiveness. The Jordanian banking sector is tools in the Jordanian commercial banks?
considered the sector that affects the national 2- What is the extent of availability of the
economy the most. The management of those banks competitive advantage dimensions in the
must adopt strategies and use methods for utilizing Jordanian commercial banks?
technical, human and financial resources optimally. 3- Does the use of the lean accounting tools (i.e.
Such utilization enables those banks to improve target cost, ongoing improving, value stream
competitiveness and offer advanced and maps, and employee satisfaction) have an impact
distinguished services of high quality with incurring on the achievement of a competitive advantage
the least costs. It enables those banks to achieve the (quality, cost, and creativity) in the Jordanian
targeted profitability. Thus, the attention provided to commercial banks?
the management of service cost through regulating
through eliminating the operations that do not add organizations to achieve the targeted profit. It meets
value. It can meet such goals through making such goals through providing attention to market-
ongoing improvements for production and related studies in order to reach information about
operations. That shall lead to having excellence in the customer demands and expectations, and
the quality of production and reducing costs. It shall competitors’ prices. It enables organizations to meet
lead to providing financial and non-financial the desires of customers through producing products
information. It shall enable one to have access to an and delivering services in a manner that fits with the
effective control system. It aims at providing clear customers’ desires with incurring less costs and
information in a daily, weekly and monthly manner assigning competitive prices. Such prices shall
about operations and value stream. It aims at enable the organization to acquire the targeted
maximizing the earnings and making ongoing market value and achieve a competitive advantage.
improvements. It aims at providing internal and Thus, it aims at managing the costs of products (i.e.
external clients with value. It focusses on financial reducing such costs) and increasing the quality of
and non-financial performance, like: quality, time products through showing attention to market-related
and efficiency [38]. It aims at reducing costs through studies. It aims at achieving a competitive advantage
getting rid of the activities that don’t add value and [64]. [47] adds that target cost is a strategic cost
improving the quality of services. It aims at management tool that enables organizations to meet
providing an effective control system and financial the requirements of the competitive environments.
and non-financial performance measurements [43]. It Target cost aims at meeting such requirements
aims at making ongoing improvements on the long through developing products based on the customers’
term through using financial and non-financial desires, and expectations. It aims at meeting such
performance measurements. It aims at providing requirements through achieving alignment between
clear, accurate and comprehensible information at reducing costs and raising quality. It aims at meeting
the right time in order to enable employees to make such requirements through using a method for
effective decisions. Such decisions are related to encouraging employees at facilities to offer
price and profits. They aim at increasing value. Lean suggestions and thoughts that aim at fostering
accounting aims at increasing the financial savings development and promoting creativity. It is one of
through eliminating the unnecessary activities and the competitive advantage dimensions. It aims at
reduce costs, and eliminate the wastage of resources managing prices and costs. The procedures of target
[35]. cost involve determine price based on the market-
related study. Then, the target profit is deducted from
3.2 Lean Accounting Tools this price to reach the targeted cost. The product is
Lean Accounting has Several Tools that are produced based on the targeted cost [39].
Mentioned Below:
3.2.2 Ongoing Improvement (Kaisan)
3.2.1 Target Cost It is a series of operations and procedures that aim at
Target cost is a pricing tool and a system for making improving activities and operations in companies in
profitability plans and managing costs. It was used an ongoing manner [49]. It refers to the process of
for the first time in Japan in 1960. Based on practical exerting effort in an ongoing manner to improve
experiments in Japan, it’s effective. Thus, industrial performance and raise quality in order to maximize
companies use this tool as a distinguished method in the value provided to consumers, reduce costs, meet
managing costs and profits. Then, service companies the demands of consumers and satisfy consumers
and public agencies started using this tool [21]. It can [53]. It involves a series of activities and procedures
be used to reduce the cost of products throughout the in the aim of making ongoing improvements to
design stage till the distribution stage. It can be used production operations and activities. It aims at
to meet the job demands and make ongoing raising performance efficiency and effectiveness
improvements to the product. It enables [22]. Through ongoing improvement, organizations
organizations to meet their goals in the light of the can improve their ability to deliver products and
competition [63]. [56] adds that target cost is a services that are more competitive and meet the
modern approach to manage the cost of products and customers’ demands and expectations [32]. Ongoing
reduce the production costs. Target cost enables improvement involves using several strategies in the
activities and operations that aim making ongoing Employees are the most valuable resources in
improvement to services and products (Juran organization. They are the factor that affects the
Trilogy, kaizen strategy, and Benchmarking strategy) competitive advantage the most in organizations.
[34]. Thus, organizations show much attention to human
resources. They seek acquiring employees of
3.2.3 Value Stream Maps distinguished competencies, developing such
Value stream maps refer to a visual summary that distinguished competencies and retain those
reflects the financial situation for the flow of employees [25]. [3] adds that an increasing attention
resources and information. It enables organizations has been provided to human capital. That’s because
to set a distinguished future visualization with human capital significantly affects the success of any
showing a better performance for the flow of organization and the improvement of
resources and information. It aims at meeting such competitiveness. Without utilizing human resources
goals through focusing on the operations that aim at efficiently, the technical and financial resources shall
reducing the wastage in resources throughout the be deemed worthless.
production line. It aims at meeting such goals
through getting rid of the defected stock and 3.3 Competitive Advantage
unnecessary operations that don’t add value. It aims Several researchers offered definition for the term
at meeting such goals through reducing the waiting (competitive advantage) due to perceiving it from
time in order to improve operations. It aims at various perspectives. [46] defines this term as a
identifying the flow of activities and information strategic element that enables organizations to seize
through a graph that involves using various symbols. opportunities to achieve profits in an ongoing
Such symbols have meanings related to stock, manner. [60] defines this term as distinguished
examination, delay and waiting [51]. It’s considered competencies that are possessed by an organization
one of the most effective lean accounting tools. Such and distinguish it from other organizations. The
tools involve planning, improvement and competitive advantage can be acquired through
implementation [62]. It enables organizations to get a making effective administrative decisions. [42]
complete visualization about the flow of operations, defines this term as a set of skills, technologies,
understand operations, and identify the reasons resources and capabilities that organizations can
behind wastage in resources. It enables organizations invest in them in order to provide customers with
to identify the number of activities that don’t add a distinguished benefits. Al-[14] add that any
value. It enables organizations to identify the number organization can achieve a competitive advantage
of improvement opportunities and reduce the waiting through using a variety of methods. However, the
time. It serves as a mean for communication, most important methods amongst those method are
planning and managing change [18]. the ones of lower costs (production with competitive
cost and selling with competitive prices). They are
3.2.4 Employee Satisfaction the ones that enable the organization to show
Lean accounting focus on raising employee distinguished products (creativity in products) and
satisfaction and investing in employees. It aims at promote good impression (through ads, trademark,
improving their psychological wellbeing and and word of mouth). Achieving a competitive
performance [9]. It is an indicator for measuring advantage is a goal sought by organizations through
performance. There is a positive correlation between carrying out ongoing improvement and utilizing
production and employee satisfaction. The higher the resources optimally. It’s sought by organisations
employee satisfaction is, the higher the production is through utilizing resources in order to promote
[6]. Employee satisfaction is a positive attitudes that innovation to provide customers with greater value.
one has towards his job. It’s affected by several It enables organizations to survive in the light of the
factors including social, environmental, economic, global competitive environment. The global
administrative and technical factors [5]. It’s affected environment became competitive due to the rapid
by environmental, psychological and philological developments of ICTs and the increase in the results
factors. It reflects the employees’ relationships with of studies [40] [51].
his managers and colleagues at work [32].
services that surpass the customer expectations advantage in industrial organizations. The targeted
with incurring less costs and showing higher tools are: (value chain, target cost, value stream, and
quality. activity cost). It was found that using lean accounting
3.Offers organizations the opportunities to gain tools enables business institutions to reduce costs,
knowledge about global practices, search for new raising earnings, and increase quality and customer
and innovative methods in delivering services in a satisfaction. Such use enables business institutions to
creative manner. respond to customers fast. It enables business
Thus, lean accounting enables organizations to institutions to achieve a a competitive advantage
deliver a variety of distinguished and advanced through the value chain. Such chain provides
services of high quality with incurring lower cost and organizations to acquire good resources, and carry
showing high quality. It enables organizations to out manufacturing operations. It enables
raise their market share. organizations to reduce costs and improve their
production ability in a manner that reduces cost, and
meet the consumer desires. It enables organizations
4 Previous Studies to find channels for distribution, promotion and
Ahmad (2019) [6] aimed to explore the role of lean delivering products on the right time with setting the
accounting tools in showing entrepreneurship in right price. Value stream enables organization to
higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia from determine the product cost and reduce it through
the perspective of faculty members in King Khalid setting an effective pricing policy. It enables the
University. Those tools are: ongoing improvement management to determine the target price after
and employee satisfaction. It was found that there is determining the target profit based on specific
a significant relationship between lean accounting competition-related conditions. It enables the
tools and entrepreneurship through ongoing management to manage cost based on the activities
improvement and innovation. and get rid of the activities that don’t add a value. It
Al-Akour (2018) [12] explored the impact of using enables the management to acquire important
lean accounting tools on achieving a competitive information about competitors. It reduces the costs
advantage. Such tools include: stream map value, and enables the management to meet the customer
performance measurement plan, target cost, ongoing demands. It improves the ability of the organization
improvement, and score box. The competitive to compete local and global organizations. It enables
advantage dimensions are quality, cost, flexibility, the organization to expand the market share and
and excellence. It was found that using lean achieve a competitive advantage.
accounting tools has an impact on the achievement Alzbaidi and Albakri (2015) [30] explored the
of a competitive advantage in the Jordanian public impact of using lean accounting tools on supporting
joint stock industrial companies. The performance governance to achieve a competitive advantage in the
measurement plan has the strongest impact on light of adopting. They carried out the study in an
achieving a competitive advantage. Quality is the industrial company specialized in electrical industry.
one that’s affected the most by the lean accounting This company is affiliated with the Ministry of
tools. Industry and Minerals. It was found that lean
Mushen (2016) [55] explored the impact of using accounting is an information system that is based on
lean accounting tools on achieving a competitive financial and non-financial information. THIs system
advantage in the light of adopting a total quality- is used in all the administrative levels in the
based approach. Such Tools include: target cost, economic unit. It was found that lean accounting
stream map value, employee satisfaction, and enables the organization to respond fast to the
ongoing improvement. The study targeted Palestine changes that occur to the business environment. Such
Bank. Target cost and stream map value are the ones accounting enables the organization to respond fast
that affect the achievement of a competitive to customer demands on the right time. Lean
advantage the most. Employee satisfaction and production -through using value stream –enables the
ongoing improvement are the ones that affect the organization to achieve a competitive advantage.
achievement of a competitive advantage the least. Aidan et al. (2020) [7] explored the the impact of
Abed Almajeed, and Yousif (2019) [2] explored the using lean accounting on achieving a sustainable
role of lean accounting in achieving a competitive competitive advantage in Kufah Cement Factory.
They explored the impact of lean accounting on competitive advantage, raising customer satisfaction
sustainable competitive advantage dimensions (i.e. and meeting customer demands.
cost, quality, innovation and reputation). It was Ishaq (2019) [48] explored the relationship between
found that the organization that has an effective lean accounting and competitiveness in industrial
administrative system and organizational climate has companies. It was found that lean accounting in
the ability to use the lean accounting system. It was industrial companies has a significant impact on
found that having an effective financial and solving problem and improving quality. Offering
production system enables the organization to attention to customer satisfaction contributes to
acquire the required resources with incurring the utilizing resources optimally.
least possible cost. This system enables the Arora et al. (2017) [31] shed a light on the meaning,
organization to achieve a sustainable competitive goals and emergence of lean accounting. They shed a
advantage. light on the merits of lean accounting. They
Ali (2016) [19] explored the impact of lean identified the differences between lean and
production on the competitiveness in the public conventional accounting. The targeted lean
pharmaceutical company in Samera’. The lean accounting tools are: value series chain and value
production dimensions are: (comprehensive stream maps. It was found that lean accounting is a
productive maintenance, organizing work sites, quick systematic system used for reducing the wastage in
change and cellular manufacturing) on resources in the production process and reducing the
competitiveness dimensions. The competitiveness waiting time. This system is used for reducing the
dimensions are: cost, quality, flexibility and delivery. time needed for delivery and storage and achieving
It was found that there is a positive relationship ongoing improvement. It aims at raising customer
between lean production and competitiveness in the value and making them satisfied.
target company. It was found that lean production Al-Musawi (2020) [10] explored the role of value
dimensions have a significant impact on cost, chain analysis in rationalizing costs, raising market
production and flexibility. However, such share and improving competitiveness in industrial
dimensions have a poor impact on delivery due to the companies. He targeted the companies
scarcity of the training courses given to employees to manufacturing frames. It was found that value chain
improve their skills in delivery. analysis allows the organization to identify the
Ibn Kulaib (2020) [47] explored the relationship damaged and wasted resources and utilizing
between using the target cost tool and achieving a resources optimally. This analysis allows the
competitive advantage in an industrial company in organization to eliminate the un-necessary costs and
Hadramut. The targeted competitive advantage the operations that don’t add a value. It positively
dimensions are: cost, quality and creativity. It was affects the pricing policy and enables organizations
found that using the target cost tool contributes to to achieve a competitive advantage in cost and
increasing the probabilities of achieving a reduce the prices. It enables organizations to increase
competitive advantage. It was found that using the their market share through having a better production
target cost tool contributes to achieving a with a lower cost. It enables organizations to offer
competitive advantage. products of higher quality with incurring lower cost
Alexandzani (2019) [16] explored the impact of and meeting the customer desires.
using modern administrative accounting methods on Al-Tunisi & Siam (2021) [29] explored the extent of
achieving a competitive advantage through reducing using lean accounting tools and their impact on
cost in the industrial companies in Kurdistan. Such rationalizing and reducing costs in Jordanian pubic
methods include: target cost, value engineering, joint stock companies. They explored the obstacles
activity-based cost, ongoing improvement, and hindering such use. The targeted tools are: activity-
balanced performance card. It was found that the based cost, activity-based management, target cost,
modern administrative accounting methods have a balanced performance card and production on the
major impact on achieving a competitive advantage right time). Several results were reached. For
through providing beneficial information. Such instance, it was found that the extent of using lean
information enables the organization to reduce costs, accounting tools is moderate in the targeted
reduce wastage and eliminate unnecessary resources companies. The targeted obstacles include: lack of
and activities. It contributes to achieving a knowledge among managers about the merits of such
tools. The use of such tools contributions to technological challenges. It has been suffering from
rationalizing and reducing costs in Jordanian pubic severe competition. Most of the aforementioned
joint stock companies. Several recommendations studies shed a light on the use of lean accounting
were proposed. The researchers recommend exerting tools in the industrial sector. This study targets a
effort to overcome the obstacles hindering the use of sector that has different features.
lean accounting tools in Jordanian pubic joint stock
companies. They recommend providing more
attention to such use by the management of those 5 The Study’s Hypotheses and Study
companies.
Cabrita & Santos (2016) [36] shed a light on the lean Model
accounting methods used in banks. They shed a light 5-1 The Study’s Hypotheses
on challenges, benefits and factors affecting the use The study’s hypotheses are drafted in the part
of such methods. They carried out the study in a below based on the study’s problem and goals
Portuguese bank. They found that such methods aim Main Hypothesis
at reducing the wastage in resources, and promoting HO: There was no statistical impact at (a≤0.05)
team work spirit. The most important lean significant level of use lean accounting tools
accounting tools are the value chain map and (target cost, ongoing improving, value stream
brainstorming. It was found that lean accounting maps, and employee satisfaction) on the
tools affect the performance effectiveness when
achievement of a competitive advantage
carrying out operations in banks. Such tools increase
the value provided to consumers.
(quality, cost, and creativity) in the Jordanian
Allawi et al. (2019) [24] explored the alignment commercial banks.
between lean accounting and green production The sub-hypotheses:
technology through increasing production, reducing H0.1: There was no statistical impact at (a≤0.05)
cost, and time, raising quality, fostering significant level of use lean accounting tools
sustainability, promoting creativity, providing secure (target cost, ongoing improving, value stream
environment for employees, and reducing wastage in maps, and employee satisfaction) on quality in
resources. The lean accounting tools include: value the Jordanian commercial banks.
stream map. They targeted 500 industrial companies H0.2: There was no statistical impact at (a≤0.05)
in Thailand. The sample was chosen from the significant level of use lean accounting tools
managers of the accounting and production
(target cost, ongoing improving, value stream
departments. It was found that lean accounting
increase the green production and enables the
maps, and employee satisfaction) on cost in the
organization to achieve a competitive advantage. Jordanian commercial banks.
Comments on the aforementioned studies: H0.3: There was no statistical impact at (a≤0.05)
This study aimed to explore the extent of using lean significant level of use lean accounting tools
accounting tools and their impact on the achievement (target cost, ongoing improving, value stream
of a competitive advantage in the banking sector. maps, and employee satisfaction) on creativity in
This sector is a significant sector that plays a the Jordanian commercial banks.
significant role in achieving economic development.
It has been suffering from various environmental and
Quality 0.714
Cost 0.668
Creativity 0.713
Based on table (1), the Cronbach alpha coefficient accounting tools is 0.777. The overall Cronbach alpha
values range between 0.628 - 0.841. The overall coefficient value of the competitive advantage is 0.784
Cronbach alpha coefficient value of the lean The five point Likert scale was used for classifying the
means. The rating categories of this scale are shown in
table (2):
Table 2. The five point Likert scale was used for classifying the means:
Very high High Moderate Low Very low
5 4 3 2 1
7 Results
7.1 Demographic Results
Table 3. Distribution of the sample in accordance with the demographic data
Demographic variables Frequency Percentage
Job title
Financial manager 13 16.7
Assistant of the Financial manager 14 17.9
Manager of a department/ division 18 23.1
Branch manager 9 11.5
Financial Controller 17 21.8
Head of the accounting department 7 9.0
Academic qualification
Holder of a BA degree 14 17.9
Based on the results in the table above, there are affects the reliability of the results. 24.3% of
various job titles (i.e. financial manager, assistant of respondents hold experience that’s not less than 5 years
the financial manager, manager of a department/ in their field. Thus, the respondents have much
division, branch manager, financial controller and head experience that enables to respond to the items
of the accounting department). That means that there is objectively.
a relationship between the job title form one hand and
the extent of possessing knowledge about the cost 7.2 Questionnaire Analysis
accounting system and using lean accounting tools The first question: What is the extent of using the
from another hand. The results indicate that 92.3% of lean accounting tools in the Jordanian commercial
the respondents hold BA degree. That indicates that banks? To answer this question, means and standard
those respondents hold high academic qualifications deviations were calculated. They are shown in table (4)
that enable them to answer the survey. That positively below:
Table 4. The first question results.
No. lean accounting tools Mean Std. Rank Level
4 employee satisfaction 4.34 0.29 1 High
1 target cost, 4.32 0.32 2 High
3 value stream maps, 4.29 0.31 3 High
2 ongoing improving 4.27 0.30 4 High
Overall 4.30 0.27 High
optimally and providing human resources with skills
Based on table (4), means of the extent of using the and competencies. That enables human resources to
lean accounting tools range between 4.34-4.27. The develop and show creativity in the delivery of services.
overall mean is 4.30 which is high. That means that the Through using lean accounting tools, banks can
extent of using the lean accounting tools is high. That develop distinguished services based on the customer
indicates that those banks seek using the scientific needs and desires. . Through using lean accounting
developments to excel. The mean of employee tools, banks can eliminate the un-necessary operations
satisfaction is 4.34 which is high and ranked first. The and activities that don’t add a value. That contributes to
standard deviation of the latter area is 0.29. The mean reducing costs and raising the performance efficiency
of target cost is 4.32 which is high and ranked first. and effectiveness in doing operations and delivering
The standard deviation of the latter area is 0.32. The services. It shall positively affect the bank’s ability to
mean of value stream maps is 4.29 which is high and compete and survive.
ranked first. The standard deviation of the latter area is
0.31. The mean of ongoing improving is 4.27 which is The Second Question: What is the extent of
high and ranked first. The standard deviation of the availability of the competitive advantage dimensions in
latter area is 0.30. That indicates that commercial the Jordanian commercial banks?To answer this
banks consider the human resources as a wealth. Thus, question, means and standard deviations were
those banks seek utilizing resources human resources calculated. They are shown in table (5) below:
Based on table (5), means of the extent of availability advantage in the light of the severe competition. It
of the competitive advantage dimensions in the indicates that those banks are keen on using modern
Jordanian commercial banks range between 4.28-4.17. methods to delivery services of high quality and
The overall mean is 4.22 which is high. That means provide customers with much attention. It indicates that
that the extent of availability of the competitive those banks are keen on delivering a variety of services
advantage dimensions in the Jordanian commercial that meet all the needs of customers through using
bank is high. The mean of quality is 4.28 which is high innovative methods and setting competitive prices. It
and ranked first. The standard deviation of the latter indicates that those banks seek determining the cost of
area is 0.35. The mean of cost is 4.22 which is high the delivered services when designing and planning
and ranked first. The standard deviation of the latter series in order to reduce this cost. It seeks reducing this
area is 0.28. The mean of creativity is 4.17 which is cost through cooperating with global banks. Those
high and ranked first. The standard deviation of the banks seek delivering distinguished services through
latter area is 0.26. That indicates that Jordanian using advanced and modern technologies that enable
commercial banks aim at achieving a competitive them to survive and compete.
R = 0.918 R2 = 0.842
*: This sign means that the value is statistically significant–at the statistical significance level of (a≤0.05)/
Tabulated t value = (±1.96) [1]
Based on table (6) and the t values, the lean accounting calculated t values of target cost, ongoing improving,
tools (i.e. target cost, ongoing improving, employee employee satisfaction and value stream maps
satisfaction and value stream maps) have an impact on respectively are 4.498, 5.308, 1.632 and 1.971. Those
the competitive advantage dimensions (quality, cost, values are statistically significant–at the statistical
and creativity) in the Jordanian commercial banks. The significance level of (a≤0.05).
It was found from Table (6) that there was no effect of value was (97,258) and at a level of significance (sig =
(the value stream map) on achieving competitive 0.000), which is less than (0.05) and the coefficient of
advantage, as the calculated (t) value reached (1.632), determination (R2= 0.842) indicates that 84% of the
which is a non-significant value at the level of variance in achieving competitive advantage can be
significance (α 0.05). It was found that (84.2%) of the explained by the variance in the combined lean
variance in achieving competitive advantage in accounting tools.
Jordanian commercial banks was explained by (target Accordingly, we reject the main null hypothesis and
cost, continuous improvement, and employee accept the alternative hypothesis that says:
satisfaction). There was a statistical impact at (a≤0.05) significant
The results of the above table indicate that the level of use lean accounting tools (target cost, ongoing
correlation coefficient (R = 0.918) indicates that the improving, value stream maps, and employee
effect of the independent variables (agile accounting satisfaction) on the achievement of a competitive
tools) combined on the dependent variable (achieving advantage (quality, cost, and creativity) in the
competitive advantage) is a positive significant effect Jordanian commercial banks.
with statistical significance, where the calculated F
It is clear from Table (7), and by following up on (t- (target cost, continuous improvement, value stream
test) values that the sub-variables related to the agile map, employee satisfaction) combined on the
accounting tools (continuous improvement, value dependent variable (quality) is a positive significant
stream map, employee satisfaction) have an impact on effect with statistical significance where the value of F
achieving quality in Jordanian commercial banks, was The computed is (58.163) with a significance level
where the calculated (t) values amounted to ( 2.371, (sig = 0.000) which is less than (0.05) and the
2.336, 3.336) respectively, which are significant values coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.761) indicates that
at the level of significance (a≤0.05). 76.1% of the variance in achieving quality as one of the
It was found from Table (7) that there was no effect of dimensions of competitive advantage can be explained
(target cost) on achieving quality, as the calculated (t) by the variance in the lean accounting tools ( Target
value amounted to (1.220), which is a non-significant Costing, Continuous Improvement, Value Stream Map,
value at the level of significance (α≥0.05). It was noted Employee Satisfaction (together)
that the lean accounting tools with their dimensions Accordingly, we reject the main null hypothesis and
(continuous improvement, value stream map, employee accept the alternative hypothesis that says:
satisfaction) have an impact on achieving quality in There was a statistical impact at (a≤0.05) significant
Jordanian commercial banks by (76.1%). level of use lean accounting tools (target cost, ongoing
The results of the above table indicate that the improving, value stream maps, and employee
correlation coefficient (R = 0.872) of the effect of the satisfaction) on quality in the Jordanian commercial
independent variables and the agile accounting tools banks.
It is clear from Table (8), and by following up on tools (target cost, continuous improvement, value
(t-test) values that the sub-variables related to stream map, employee satisfaction) combined on
agile accounting tools (target cost, employee the dependent variable (cost) is a positive
satisfaction) have an impact on cost realization in significant effect with statistical significance
Jordanian commercial banks, where the calculated where the value of F was The calculated is
(t) values amounted to (5.203, 1.982). (20,619) and with a significance level of (sig =
Respectively, they are significant values at the 0.000) which is less than (0.05) and the coefficient
significance level (a≤0.05). of determination (0.530 = R2) indicates that 53%
It was found from Table (8) that there was no of the variance in achieving cost as one of the
effect of (continuous improvement, and the value dimensions of competitive advantage can be
stream map) on cost realization, as the calculated explained through the variance in the lean
(t) value was (0.509, -0.195), which are non- accounting tools ( Target costing, continuous
significant values at the level of significance improvement, value stream map, employee
(a≤0.05). Agile accounting tools with their satisfaction (combined).
dimensions (continuous improvement, value Accordingly, we reject the main null hypothesis
stream map) have an impact on cost realization in and accept the alternative hypothesis that says:
Jordanian commercial banks by (53%). There was a statistical impact at (a≤0.05) significant
The results of the above table indicate that the level of use lean accounting tools (target cost, ongoing
correlation coefficient (R = 0.728) of the effect of improving, value stream maps, and employee
the independent variables and the agile accounting satisfaction) on cost in the Jordanian commercial banks
Unstandardized Standardized
Coefficients Coefficient Sig
Dimensions T F
T
Sig
B Std. Error β F
Target cost .092 .072 .096 1.263 .211
continuous
.795 .117 .777 6.789 .000 50.078 0.000*
improvement
value stream map .151 .137 .154 1.105 .273
Staff satisfaction
-.162- .108 -.152- -1.498- .138
R= 0.856 R2=0.733
* Statistically significant at the level (0.05≥α) tabular value (t) = (±1.96) [1]
It is clear from Table (9), and by following up on the (employee satisfaction, target cost, value stream map,
values of the (t) test that the sub-variable related to continuous improvement) collectively explained 73.3%
(continuous improvement) has an impact on achieving of the cost as one of the dimensions of competitive
creativity in Jordanian commercial banks, where the advantage, and that the lean accounting tools
calculated value of (t) reached (6.789), which is a (employee satisfaction, target cost, value stream map,
significant value at the level of significance (a≤0.05). continuous improvement ) collectively interpreted
It was found from Table (9) that there was no effect of 53.3% of the cost as one of the dimensions of
(target cost, value stream map, and employee competitive advantage.
satisfaction) on achieving creativity, as the calculated This indicates the importance of adopting and applying
(t) values amounted to (1.263, 1.105, -1.498), which lean accounting tools in achieving competitive
are non-significant values at the level of significance advantage in Jordanian banks, through which banks are
(a≤0.05). It was noted that the lean accounting tools able to provide a variety of banking services that meet
with their dimension (continuous improvement) have the needs of customers by investing in the functional
an impact on achieving creativity in Jordanian staff and attracting human resources capable of
commercial banks by (73.3%). innovation and creativity while investing in technology
The results of the above table indicate that the and seeking to attract the best practices and global
correlation coefficient (R = 0.856) on the effect of the methods. An analysis of all activities and operations
independent variables and the agile accounting tools and the exclusion of operations that do not add value,
(target cost, continuous improvement, value stream which leads to a reduction in costs.
map, employee satisfaction) combined on the
dependent variable (creativity) is a positive significant
effect with statistical significance where the value of F 8 Conclusions
was The calculated is (50.078) and with a significance 1. The results of the study showed that the attitudes of
level (sig = 0.000) which is less than (0.05), and the the study sample members towards approval of a high
coefficient of determination (R2=0.733) indicates that level of application of agile accounting tools in
73.3% of the variance in achieving creativity as one of Jordanian commercial banks, where employee
the dimensions of competitive advantage can be satisfaction came first, followed by the target cost, then
explained by the variance in the agile accounting tools the value stream map, and the last rank was continuous
( Target Costing, Continuous Improvement, Value improvement.
Stream Map, Employee Satisfaction (together). 2. The results of the study showed that the attitudes of
Accordingly, we reject the main null hypothesis and the study sample members towards approval of the
accept the alternative hypothesis that says: Jordanian commercial banks’ pursuit of competitive
There was a statistical impact at (a≤0.05) significant advantage with a high relative importance, as quality as
level of use lean accounting tools (target cost, ongoing one of the dimensions of competitive advantage ranked
improving, value stream maps, and employee first, followed by cost, and then creativity in the last
satisfaction) on creativity in the Jordanian commercial rank.
banks. 3. The results of the main hypothesis test showed that
The fourth question can be answered by relying on there is a significant effect of applying the agile
the values of the coefficient of determination R2 when accounting tools (target cost, continuous improvement,
testing the sub-hypotheses, which showed that the lean value stream map, employee satisfaction) combined in
accounting tools (employee satisfaction, target cost, achieving competitive advantage in Jordanian
value stream map, continuous improvement) commercial banks.
collectively explained 76% of quality as one of the 4. The results of the main hypothesis test showed that
dimensions of competitive advantage and thus ranked there is a significant effect of applying the lean
first , while it showed that the lean accounting tools accounting tools (target cost, continuous improvement,
value stream map, employee satisfaction) combined in benefit from their expertise to apply agile accounting in
achieving quality as one of the dimensions of commercial banks in Jordan in an efficient and
competitive advantage in Jordanian commercial banks, effective manner.
where each of (continuous improvement and map 4. The necessity of increasing the focus and interest of
Value Stream and Employee Satisfaction) a significant commercial banks in Jordan on developing costing
effect on achieving quality and the absence of a systems and working on establishing special units
significant effect of the target cost in achieving quality concerned with that.
as one of the dimensions of competitive advantage in 5. Rehabilitation of human cadres at banks in Jordan by
Jordanian commercial banks. holding specialized training courses on the application
5. The results of the main hypothesis test showed that of lean accounting tools in banks and directing them
there is a significant effect of applying the lean towards innovation and creativity in banking work and
accounting tools (target cost, continuous improvement, providing distinguished services at the lowest possible
value stream map, employee satisfaction) combined in cost to reach a competitive advantage.
achieving cost as one of the dimensions of competitive 6. Expanding by conducting more studies on the
advantage in Jordanian commercial banks, where both importance of applying lean accounting tools and their
(target cost and satisfaction) Employees) a significant impact on market value, profitability, or the financial
effect on achieving quality and the absence of a performance of Jordanian commercial banks. As well
significant effect of (continuous improvement and as expanding by conducting more studies on the
value stream map) in achieving cost as one of the importance of applying lean accounting tools and their
dimensions of competitive advantage in Jordanian impact on the competitive advantage in the service
commercial banks. sector other than the banking sector.
6. The results of the main hypothesis test showed that
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