Developing an Intelligent Framework for Strategic Management Accounting with Emphasis on Competitor Analysis, Cost Forecasting, and Value Creation
Keywords:
Strategic management accounting, intelligent transformation, competitor analysis, cost forecasting, value creation, artificial intelligence, thematic analysisAbstract
This study aimed to develop a qualitative framework for the intelligent transformation of strategic management accounting, focusing on competitor analysis, cost forecasting, and value creation in Tehran-based organizations. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis. The participants consisted of 22 financial managers, management accountants, strategic planning managers, financial data analysts, and academic experts in management accounting from Tehran. They were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Saturation occurred in the nineteenth interview and was confirmed through three additional interviews. Data analysis was conducted through open, axial, and selective coding using Nvivo software. Trustworthiness was enhanced through member checking, peer review, and maintaining an audit trail of analytical decisions. The analysis led to the identification of five main categories: data integration and intelligent infrastructure, intelligent competitor analysis, strategic cost forecasting and engineering, insight-driven value creation, and data governance, skills, and AI ethics. The findings indicated that intelligent strategic management accounting is not limited to the adoption of artificial intelligence tools; rather, it requires redefining the role of management accountants from cost reporters to data-driven strategic partners. Participants emphasized that real-time market monitoring, competitor intelligence, predictive cost modeling, value-driver identification, and scenario-based decision support are the core functions of the proposed framework. The proposed framework suggests that intelligent strategic management accounting contributes to value creation when internal and external data, predictive algorithms, professional judgment, and data governance are integrated into a unified decision-support architecture. This framework can guide the development of intelligent management accounting systems, strengthen competitive advantage, and improve strategic decision-making in organizations.
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