Budget gaming behavior: Evidence in Indonesian manufacturing companies

Abstract

Budget gaming behavior in the budgeting process has a serious impact on organiza- tional performance. This behavior continues to exist as a consequence of the preva- lence of traditional budgeting practices. This unsolved budget behavior needs seri- ous handling. Understanding this behavior through gathering evidence is the first step in controlling the practice of budget gaming. This study aims to obtain evidence about budget gaming practice in Indonesia. Data collection through interviews, sur- veys, and analysis of annual reports. Interviews were conducted on four managers of go public manufacturing companies. Survey through questionnaires to 31 managers. The analysis of the 2013-2017 annual report on directors’ reports and management discussion reports on three companies. This study concluded that budget gaming practice still occurs in manufacturing companies in Indonesia and is still an impor- tant problem that has not yet been solved. This study also found that budget gaming is related to the performance evaluation system. The study result provides impor- tant information for stakeholders and researchers in understanding budget gaming behavior and finding solutions to minimize budget gaming practice.