The role of information technology governance mechanisms according to the COBIT framework in enhancing investors’ confidence in the presented financial statements: a field study on a sample of private Iraqi bank

Abstract

As a result of the great developments witnessed by the business environment in recent years, this has led to the necessity of shifting all transactions in accounting systems from the manual system to the electronic system, as these systems are characterized by providing accurate results in a short time compared to the manual system. Therefore, this research aims to demonstrate the effect of applying Information technology governance mechanisms according to the COBIT framework in enhancing investors’ confidence in the financial statements, and testing whether these mechanisms (planning and organization, support and delivery, ownership and implementation, follow-up and evaluation) have a role in enhancing investors’ confidence in the financial statements. The research dealt with private banks operating in the Iraqi environment as a community to conduct the practical test, while the sample included individuals working in these banks. To obtain data, the researchers prepared a questionnaire form, where (125) questionnaires were distributed, from which (118) were recovered, of which (110) were valid for analysis. While (8) were excluded because they were not valid, the researchers adopted the statistical program (SPSS) to reach the results. The research reached several conclusions, the most important of which is that information technology governance according to the (COBIT) framework contributes fundamentally to the preparation of financial reports that are characterized by reliability and appropriateness because one of the governance standards is Highlighting the accuracy and objectivity of financial reports, in addition to adherence to rules and legislation, and this is reflected positively in enhancing investors’ confidence in the financial statements provided by the banks in the research sample. One of the most important recommendations presented by the research is the necessity of bank management adopting the COBIT framework as a means of information technology governance and control, as well as the necessity of qualifying human resources in banks to use modern and advanced information systems in order to achieve the maximum benefits desired from this technology in obtaining appropriate outputs that reflect positively. On the quality of financial reports provided by the banks in the research sample.