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Professor Breda Sweeney

BComm, MAcc, PhD, FCA

 
researcher
 

Biography

Breda Sweeney holds a first class honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Galway, a first class honours Master of Accounting degree from UCD and a PhD degree from DCU. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, having professionally trained in PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dublin and Sydney.  She previously lectured at UCD for 5 years. She is joint editor of Accounting, Finance, and Governance Review and serves on the editorial board of Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal and International Journal of Auditing.  She is co-chair of EIASM conference New Directions in Management Accounting. Breda was a visiting professor in Stockholm School of Economics (2022), VU Amsterdam (2022), Esade Business School, Barcelona (2014) and an Erskine fellow in University  of Canterbury in 2016. She was Head of Discipline of Accountancy & Finance 2010-2022 and a member of University of Galway Governing Authority 2016-2020.  

Research
 
Breda's research is in the field of organisational performance measurement and management. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, her research projects have focused on the role of management control systems in enabling innovation and organisational ambidexterity and in managing organisational tensions. She has also examined the  responses of individuals to pressures induced by management control systems. Her research studies have investigated these issues in a number of different contexts including audit firms, medical device companies and green energy construction companies. Breda has received funding for these research studies from IRCHSS, NAIRTL, and Chartered Accountants Ireland. Breda (along with Dr. Emer Curtis) has given industry workshops in Galway and Dublin on 'Using Management Controls to enable Innovation' and also led a CIMA CPD workshop on this topic. Breda received best paper awards for her 2009 paper in Accounting Education: An International Journal and 2016 paper in Journal of Accounting and Organisational Change. 

Selected Publications:

Bedford, D, Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2022) Enhancing external knowledge search: The influence of performance measurement system design on the absorptive capacity of top management teams. Technovation: (118), 102586. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102586.

Bedford, D., Bisbe, J., and Sweeney, B. (2022) The joint effects of performance measurement system design and cognitive conflict on innovation ambidexterity. Management Accounting Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2022.100805

Robbins, G., Sweeney, B. and Vega, M. (2022) "Hospital accreditation systems and salience of organisational tensions." Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 35, No. 9. pp. 57-80.

Farrell, M., and Sweeney, B. (2021) "Amazon's MTurk: A currently underutilised resource for survey researchers?." Accounting, Finance, & Governance Review, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 36-53.

Bedford, D., Bisbe, J., and Sweeney, B. (2019) Performance measurement systems as generators of cognitive conflict in ambidextrous firms. Accounting, Organizations & Society, vol. 72, pp. 21-37. 

Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2017) Managing different types of innovation: mutually reinforcing management control systems and the generation of dynamic tension. Accounting & Business Research, Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 313-343


 

Research Interests

Breda's research interests are in the field of performance management. Specifically, she is interested in how management use control systems to foster innovation and manage tensions in innovative industries. She has previously examined management control in audit firms and business ethics. She has published widely in these areas in international accounting and business journals.

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2024) 'Using emphasis frames to embed values in the interpretation of multiple performance criteria'
Martyn, P, Sweeney, B & Lillis, A. (2024) 'Using emphasis frames to embed values in the interpretation of multiple performance criteria'. Management Accounting Research, [Details]
(2024) 'Healthcare network governance and accountability shaped by social capital'
Sintejudeanu, M. Robbins, G. & Sweeney, B. (2024) 'Healthcare network governance and accountability shaped by social capital'. Accounting Forum, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'Pragmatism and Management Control'
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2023) 'Pragmatism and Management Control'. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2022) 'Enhancing external knowledge search: The influence of performance measurement system design on the absorptive capacity of top management teams'
Bedford, D, Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B (2022) 'Enhancing external knowledge search: The influence of performance measurement system design on the absorptive capacity of top management teams'. Technovation, 118 [DOI] [Details]
(2022) 'The joint effects of performance measurement system design and TMT cognitive conflict on innovation ambidexterity'
Bedford, D, Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B (2022) 'The joint effects of performance measurement system design and TMT cognitive conflict on innovation ambidexterity'. Management Accounting Research, [DOI] [Details]
(2022) 'Hospital accreditation systems and salience of organisational tensions'
Robbins, G., Sweeney, B. and Vega, M. (2022) 'Hospital accreditation systems and salience of organisational tensions'. Accounting, Auditing And Accountability Journal, 35 (9):57-80 [Details]
(2021) 'Amazon’s MTurk: A currently underutilised resource for survey researchers?'
Farrell, M and Sweeney, B. (2021) 'Amazon’s MTurk: A currently underutilised resource for survey researchers?'. Accounting, Finance and Governance Review, [Details]
(2019) 'Flexibility and control in managing collaborative and in-house NPD'
Curtis, E,Sweeney, B (2019) 'Flexibility and control in managing collaborative and in-house NPD'. Journal Of Accounting And Organizational Change, 15 :30-57 [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Performance measurement systems as generators of cognitive conflict in ambidextrous firms'
Bedford, DS,Bisbe, J,Sweeney, B (2019) 'Performance measurement systems as generators of cognitive conflict in ambidextrous firms'. Accounting Organizations And Society, 72 :21-37 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2017) 'SIMONS' LEVERS OF CONTROL FRAMEWORK: COMMENSURATION WITHIN AND OF THE FRAMEWORK'
Curtis, E, Lillis, AM, Sweeney, B, (2017) 'SIMONS' LEVERS OF CONTROL FRAMEWORK: COMMENSURATION WITHIN AND OF THE FRAMEWORK'. Advances in Management Accounting, 28 :87-121 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Managing different types of innovation: Mutual reinforcing management control systems and the generation of dynamic tension'
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2017) 'Managing different types of innovation: Mutual reinforcing management control systems and the generation of dynamic tension'. Accounting and Business Research, [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2016) 'Strategy and control: 25 years of empirical use of Simons' Levers of Control framework'
Martyn, P,Sweeney, B,Curtis, E (2016) 'Strategy and control: 25 years of empirical use of Simons' Levers of Control framework'. Journal Of Accounting And Organizational Change, 12 :281-324 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Audit Quality Threatening Behaviours: Perceptions of Auditees'
Sweeney, B. and Pierce, B. (2015) 'Audit Quality Threatening Behaviours: Perceptions of Auditees'. Accounting, Finance and Governance Review, 22 (2):47-76 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2013) 'The impact of perceived ethical intensity on audit-quality-threatening behaviours'
Sweeney, B;Pierce, B;Arnold, DF (2013) 'The impact of perceived ethical intensity on audit-quality-threatening behaviours'. Accounting and Business Research, 43 :112-137 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Commercial and professional audit goals: Inculcation of audit seniors'
Sweeney, B., McGarry, C. (2011) 'Commercial and professional audit goals: Inculcation of audit seniors'. International Journal of Auditing, 15 (3):316-332 [Details]
(2011) 'Audit team defence mechanisms: auditee influence'
Sweeney, B,Pierce, B (2011) 'Audit team defence mechanisms: auditee influence'. Accounting and Business Research, 41 :333-356 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'The Impact of Perceived Ethical Culture of the Firm and Demographic Variables on Auditors' Ethical Evaluation and Intention to Act Decisions'
Sweeney, B,Arnold, D,Pierce, B (2010) 'The Impact of Perceived Ethical Culture of the Firm and Demographic Variables on Auditors' Ethical Evaluation and Intention to Act Decisions'. Journal Of Business Ethics, 93 :531-551 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'The relationship between demographic variables and ethical decision-making of trainee accountants'
Pierce, B. and Sweeney, B. (2010) 'The relationship between demographic variables and ethical decision-making of trainee accountants'. International Journal of Auditing, 14 (1):79-99 [Details]
(2008) 'Moral intensity and ethical decision-making: An empirical examination of undergraduate business students’'
Sweeney, B and Costello, F (2008) 'Moral intensity and ethical decision-making: An empirical examination of undergraduate business students’'. ACCOUNTING EDUCATION: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, [Details]
(2007) 'Clan type controls in audit firms – audit seniors’ perspective'
McGarry, C and Sweeney, B (2007) 'Clan type controls in audit firms – audit seniors’ perspective'. IRISH ACCOUNTING REVIEW, 15 (2):37-59 [Details]
(2006) 'Perceived adverse consequences of quality threatening behaviour in audit firms'
Pierce, B and Sweeney, B (2006) 'Perceived adverse consequences of quality threatening behaviour in audit firms'. International Journal of Auditing, 10 (1):19-39 [Details]
(2006) 'Good hours and bad hours: A multi-perspective examination of the (dys)functionality of auditor underreporting of time’'
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2006) 'Good hours and bad hours: A multi-perspective examination of the (dys)functionality of auditor underreporting of time’'. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNAL, 19 (6):858-892 [Details]
(2005) 'Supervisory actions, job satisfaction and turnover intentions of Irish trainee accountants’'
Sweeney, B. and Boyle, B. (2005) 'Supervisory actions, job satisfaction and turnover intentions of Irish trainee accountants’'. IRISH ACCOUNTING REVIEW, 12 (2):47-74 [Details]
(2005) 'Management Control in Audit firms: Partners’ perspectives'
Pierce, B. and Sweeney, B. (2005) 'Management Control in Audit firms: Partners’ perspectives'. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, 16 :340-370 [Details]
(2004) 'Cost-quality conflict in audit firms: An empirical investigation'
Pierce, B. and Sweeney, B. (2004) 'Cost-quality conflict in audit firms: An empirical investigation'. EUROPEAN ACCOUNTING REVIEW, 13 (3):415-441 [Details]
(2004) 'Management Control in Audit firms: A qualitative investigation'
Sweeney, B. and Pierce, B. (2004) 'Management Control in Audit firms: A qualitative investigation'. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNAL, 17 (5):779-812 [Details]
(2003) 'Auditor responses to cost controls'
Pierce, B. and Sweeney, B. (2003) 'Auditor responses to cost controls'. IRISH ACCOUNTING REVIEW, 10 (1):45-68 [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2018) 'Tax Behaviour Decisions of Muslim Communities: Ireland, Scotland and Canada'
Cheikh, R;Mulligan, E;Sweeney,B (2018) 'Tax Behaviour Decisions of Muslim Communities: Ireland, Scotland and Canada' In: Contemporary Issues in Tax Research (Volume 3). Birmingham, UK: Fiscal Publications. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2024) IRSPM 2024: Hybrid futures for public governance and management
Sintejudeanu, M., Robbins, G. and Sweeney, B. (2024) 'Collaboration or domination? The failure of a mandated hospital network to generate mutually beneficial collective action IRSPM 2024: Hybrid futures for public governance and management [Details]
(2024) Control and temporality in turbulent times
Sweeney, B and Vaisanan, M. (2024) Life is supposed to be fun - management control and temporal structures in a scale-up Control and temporality in turbulent times [Details]
(2023) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Tiggelaar, van Veen-Dirks, Girdhar and Sweeney (2023) Objective decoupling and value internalisation: A case study of management control dynamics in a Big 4 audit firm Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2023) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Lyons, R. and Sweeney B. (2023) Relationships between management control practices: A study of Big 4 audit firms Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2022) Stockholm school of Economics seminar series
Martyn, P and Sweeney, B (2022) Middle managers and management control Stockholm school of Economics seminar series [Details]
(2022) VU Amsterdam Seminar series
Farrell, M and Sweeney, B (2022) Enabling control and ambidexterity VU Amsterdam Seminar series [Details]
(2022) Management Control Association Symposium
Farrell, M and Sweeney, B (2022) Enabling performance measurement systems for subordinate learning Management Control Association Symposium [Details]
(2022) Management Control Association Symposium
Martyn, P and Sweeney, B (2022) Middle manager strategic roles: control problems and management control combinations Management Control Association Symposium [Details]
(2022) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting conference
Farrell, M and Sweeney, B (2022) Enabling performance measurement systems for subordinate learning EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting conference [Details]
(2022) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting conference
Martyn, P and Sweeney, B (2022) Middle manager strategic roles: control problems and management control combinations EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting conference [Details]
(2023) Annual conference for management accounting research
Farrell, M and Sweeney, B (2023) Enabling performance measurement systems for subordinate learning Annual conference for management accounting research [Details]
(2022) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting
Martyn, P and Sweeney, B. (2022) Middle manager strategic roles: Control problems and management control combinations EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting [Details]
(2022) Irish Accounting Association annual conference
Farrell, M. and Sweeney, B. (2022) Performance Measurement Systems and Function Managers: Implications for Organisational Learning and Performance Irish Accounting Association annual conference [Details]
(2022) European Accounting Association Annual Congress
Martyn, P. and Sweeney, B. (2022) The use of informal controls and evasion of formal controls by middle managers European Accounting Association Annual Congress [Details]
(2022) European Accounting Association Annual Congress
Farrell, M. and Sweeney, B. (2022) Performance Measurement Systems and Function Managers: Implications for Organisational Learning and Performance European Accounting Association Annual Congress [Details]
(2017) Proceedings of the 24th International Product Development Management Conference
O¿Dwyer, C., Sweeney, B., and Cormican (2017) Embracing Paradox: How performance management systems engage cognitive conflict during project selection in ambidextrous organisations Proceedings of the 24th International Product Development Management Conference Reykjavik, Iceland, , 11-JUL-17 - 13-JUL-17 [Details]
(2018) Proceedings of IAFA Annual Conference
O¿Dwyer, C., Sweeney, B., and Cormican, K. (2018) A conceptual model to support project portfolio ambidexterity Proceedings of IAFA Annual Conference , 23-MAY-18 - 25-MAY-18 [Details]
(2021) Global Management Accounting Research Symposium
Farrell, M. and Sweeney, B. (2021) Too Much of a Good Thing? Implications of Enabling Performance Measurement Systems for Business Function Ambidexterity Global Management Accounting Research Symposium [Details]
(2021) EIASM 11th conference on performance measurement and management control
Farrell, M and Sweeney. B. (2021) Too Much of a Good Thing? Implications of Enabling Performance Measurement Systems for Business Function Ambidexterity EIASM 11th conference on performance measurement and management control [Details]
(2022) Management Accounting Association Midyear meeting
Farrell, M and Sweeney. B. (2022) Too Much of a Good Thing? Implications of Enabling Performance Measurement Systems for Business Function Ambidexterity Management Accounting Association Midyear meeting [Details]
(2019) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Martyn, P, Sweeney, B and Lillis, A. (2019) Mobilising Lofty Aspirations into Tangible Outcomes: Middle Managers’ Role as a Pivotal Link between Beliefs Systems and Diagnostic Control Systems within the Levers of Control Framework  Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2021) European Accounting Association Annual Conference
Martyn, P, Sweeney, B and Lillis, A. (2021) Framing of results controls and management of tensions between multiple performance criteria European Accounting Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2021) Management Accounting as a Social and Organizational Practice
Martyn, P, Sweeney, B. and Lillis, A. (2021) Framing of results controls and management of tensions between multiple performance criteria’ Management Accounting as a Social and Organizational Practice [Details]
(2020) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting
Farrell, M. and Sweeney, B. (2020) Too Much of a Good Thing? Enabling Performance Measurement Systems and the Implications for Business Function Ambidexterity EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting [Details]
(2019) EIASM 10th Conference on Performance Measurement and Management
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B. and Lillis, A. (2019) Strategy Implementation at Middle Manager Level: How Beliefs Systems and Diagnostic Control Systems Combine to Mobilise Action EIASM 10th Conference on Performance Measurement and Management Nice, , 18-SEP-19 - 20-SEP-19 [Details]
(2019) Stockholm School of Economics seminar series
Curtis, E and Sweeney, B (2019) Numerical representation, pragmatism and action Stockholm School of Economics seminar series [Details]
(2019) Irish Accounting & Finance Annual conference
Bedford, D, Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2019) The implications of comprehensive performance measurement system design for managing the effects of TMT conflict Irish Accounting & Finance Annual conference DCU, , 16-MAY-19 - 17-MAY-19 [Details]
(2017) 9th Conference on Performance Measurement and Management Control
Vega Perez,M., Sweeney, B., Robbins, G. (2017) Perceptions of healthcare management towards an externally imposed management control system 9th Conference on Performance Measurement and Management Control Nice, France, [Details]
(2017) Tax Research Network Annual Conference, Bournemouth
Cheikh, R;Mulligan, E;Sweeney,B (2017) The impact of moral intensity on tax compliance decisions Tax Research Network Annual Conference, Bournemouth [Details]
(2017) Irish Accounting and Finance Association, Annual Conference, Athlone
Cheikh, R;Mulligan, E;Sweeney,B (2017) The impact of moral intensity on tax compliance decisions Irish Accounting and Finance Association, Annual Conference, Athlone [Details]
(2016) Tax Research Network Annual Conference, London
Cheikh, R;Mulligan, E;Sweeney,B (2016) Tax Behaviour Decision of Muslin Communities: Ireland, Scotland, Canada Tax Research Network Annual Conference, London [Details]
(2017) Embracing Paradox and Conflict: Towards a Conceptual Model to drive Project Portfolio Ambidexterity
O'Dwyer, C,Sweeney, B,Cormican, K (2017) CENTERIS 2017 - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS / PROJMAN 2017 - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT / HCIST 2017 - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, CENTERI Embracing Paradox and Conflict: Towards a Conceptual Model to drive Project Portfolio Ambidexterity , pp.600-608 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) Tax Research Network Annual Conference, Bournemouth
Cheikh, R;Mulligan, E;Sweeney,B (2017) The impact of moral intensity on tax compliance decisions Tax Research Network Annual Conference, Bournemouth [Details]
(2017) 40th Annual Congress of the European Accounting Association (EAA)
Vega-Perez, M., Robbins, G., Sweeney, B., (2017) Perceptions of Healthcare Management Towards an Externally Imposed Management Control System 40th Annual Congress of the European Accounting Association (EAA) Valencia, Spain, , 10-MAY-17 - 12-MAY-17 [Details]
(2017) Accounting workshop XXII Konopta, Ourense, 17-19 Jan
Miguel Perez, Breda Sweeney and Geraldine Robbins (2017) Perceptions of healthcare management towards an an externally imposed management control system Accounting workshop XXII Konopta, Ourense, 17-19 Jan [Details]
(2017) ProjMAN - International Conference on Project MANagement
O’Dwyer, C., Sweeney, B. and Cormican, K. (2017) Embracing Paradox and Conflict: Towards a Conceptual Model to drive Project Portfolio Ambidexterity ProjMAN - International Conference on Project MANagement Barcelona, Spain, , 08-NOV-17 - 10-NOV-17 [Details]
(2016) Irish Accounting & Finance Association annual conference
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B and Curtis, E. (2016) Combining predictable goal achievement and creative innovation at middle management level: Influence of beliefs systems some initial findings Irish Accounting & Finance Association annual conference [Details]
(2016) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting
Bedford, D., Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) How firms translate ambidexterity into innovation outcomes: The role of performance measurement systems EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting [Details]
(2016) Management Control Association Conference
Bedford, D.,Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) How firms translate ambidexterity into innovation outcomes: The role of performance measurement systems Management Control Association Conference [Details]
(2016) Quantitative Management accounting conference, Shanghai
Bedford, D., Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) How firms translate ambidexterity into innovation outcomes: The role of performance measurement systems Quantitative Management accounting conference, Shanghai [Details]
(2016) Seminar series University of Canterbury
Bedford, D., Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) Organisational ambidexterity: The role of performance measurement systems and cognitive conflict Seminar series University of Canterbury , 18-MAR-16 - 18-MAR-16 [Details]
(2016) University of Otago seminar series
Bedford, D., Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) How performance measurement systems help firms achieve intended ambidexterity: The role of cognitive conflict University of Otago seminar series , 23-MAR-16 - 23-MAR-16 [Details]
(2016) European Accounting Association Annual Congress
Bedford, D, Bisbe, J. and Sweeney, B. (2016) How performance measurement systems help firms achieve intended ambidexterity - the role of cognitive conflict European Accounting Association Annual Congress Maastricht, , 11-MAY-16 - 13-MAY-16 [Details]
(2015) European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change
Perez, M., Sweeney, B. and Robbins, G. (2015) Perceptions of management towards an externally mandated control system European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change [Details]
(2015) Management Accounting in Practice and Research workshop
Sweeney, B, Bisbe, J. and Bedford, D. (2015) Achieving intended organisational ambidexterity: The role of cognitive conflict and performance measures Management Accounting in Practice and Research workshop Trondheim Business School, Norway, [Details]
(2013) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B and Curtis, E (2013) The use of management control systems to manage the competing demands of creative innovation & predictable goal achievement: the middle management perspective Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference Institute of Technology Tallaght, [Details]
(2015) European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change
Curtis, E.,Lillis, A. and Sweeney, B. (2015) Simons' says: Distinguishing practice and theory in the levers of control framework European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change [Details]
(2015) European Network of Research in Organization and Accounting Change
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B and Curtis, E. (2015) Creative innovation and predictable goal achievement: Tension and the use of management control systems at middle management level European Network of Research in Organization and Accounting Change [Details]
(2015) Irish Academy of Management
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B. and Curtis E (2015) Creative innovation and predictable goal achievement: Tension and the use of management control systems at middle management level Irish Academy of Management [Details]
(2015) European Network for Research in Organisational and Accounting Change
Lyons, R. and Sweeney, B. (2015) Management Control-Trust relationships in audit firms: Seniors' perspectives European Network for Research in Organisational and Accounting Change [Details]
(2015) European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change
Perez, M., Sweeney, B. and Robbins, G. (2015) Perceptions of management towards an externally mandated control system European Network for Research in Organizational and Accounting Change [Details]
(2003) National Auditing Conference Oxford
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2003) A qualitative examination of management control in large audit firms’ National Auditing Conference Oxford , 11-APR-03 - 12-APR-03 [Details]
(2003) Management Control Association Meeting Manchester
Pierce, B and Sweeney, B (2003) Management control in audit firms – Partners’ perspectives Management Control Association Meeting Manchester , 28-NOV-03 - 28-NOV-03 [Details]
(2004) European Accounting Association Prague
Pierce, B and Sweeney, B (2004) Management control in audit firms – Partners’ perspectives European Accounting Association Prague , 01-APR-04 - 03-APR-04 [Details]
(2004) European Accounting Association Prague
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2004) Underreporting of time in large audit firms: Contrasting perspectives of partners and seniors on its (dys)functionality’ European Accounting Association Prague , 01-APR-04 - 03-APR-04 [Details]
(2004) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Belfast
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2004) Good hours and bad hours: A multi-perspective examination of the (dys)functionality of auditor underreporting of time’ Irish Accounting and Finance Association Belfast , 19-APR-04 - 20-APR-04 [Details]
(2005) European Accounting Association Goteborg
Pierce, B and Sweeney, B (2005) Perceived adverse consequences of quality threatening behaviour in audit firms European Accounting Association Goteborg , 18-MAY-05 - 20-MAY-05 [Details]
(2005) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Limerick, Ireland
Sweeney, B and Boyle, B (2005) Supervisory actions, job satisfaction and turnover intentions of Irish trainee accountants’ Irish Accounting and Finance Association Limerick, Ireland , 14-APR-05 - 15-APR-05 [Details]
(2006) EIASM conference on Audit Quality Milan
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2006) Client perceptions of audit team quality threatening behaviours EIASM conference on Audit Quality Milan , 24-NOV-06 - 25-NOV-06 [Details]
(2006) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Dublin
McGarry, C and Sweeney, B (2006) Clan controls in audit firms – audit seniors’ perspective Irish Accounting and Finance Association Dublin , 11-MAY-06 - 12-MAY-06 [Details]
(2007) European Accounting Association Lisbon
McGarry, C and Sweeney, B (2007) Audit seniors’ perceptions of goals of audit partners’ European Accounting Association Lisbon , 25-APR-07 - 27-APR-07 [Details]
(2007) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Tralee, Ireland
McGarry, C and Sweeney, B (2007) Audit seniors’ perceptions of goals of audit partners’ Irish Accounting and Finance Association Tralee, Ireland , 10-MAY-07 - 11-MAY-07 [Details]
(2007) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Tralee, Ireland
Pierce, B and Sweeney, B (2007) The impact of demographic variables on ethical decision-making of Irish trainee accountants’ Irish Accounting and Finance Association Tralee, Ireland , 10-MAY-07 - 11-MAY-07 [Details]
(2007) National Auditing Conference Dublin
McGarry, C and Sweeney, B (2007) Audit seniors’ perceptions of goals of audit partners National Auditing Conference Dublin , 23-MAR-07 - 24-MAR-07 [Details]
(2007) National Auditing Conference Dublin
Sweeney, B, Pierce, B and Arnold, D (2007) Audit seniors’ ethical decision making and contextual variables National Auditing Conference Dublin , 23-MAR-07 - 24-MAR-07 [Details]
(2008) Accounting Behaviour and Organisations Research Conference Rhode Island
Sweeney, B, Arnold, D and Pierce, B (2008) The impact of organisational commitment and demographic variables on auditors’ ethical decision making Accounting Behaviour and Organisations Research Conference Rhode Island [Details]
(2014) Irish Accounting and Finance Annual Conference
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B. and Curtis E (2014) Middle Management: The Role of Management Control Systems and the Dual Objectives of Efficiency and Creative Innovation Irish Accounting and Finance Annual Conference Queens University Belfast, [Details]
(2014) British Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B and Curtis E (2014) The role of management control systems in managing exploration and exploitation: the middle management perspective British Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2014) Management Accounting Research Group Annual Conference
Martyn, P., Sweeney, B and Curtis E (2014) MCS: role at middle manager level in managing predictable goal achievement and creative innovation Management Accounting Research Group Annual Conference Aston Business School, [Details]
(2011) IAFA 24th annual conference
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2011) Creativity, control and efficiency IAFA 24th annual conference [Details]
(2011) Management Accounting research group conference
Sweeney, B., Curtis, E. and Martyn, P. (2011) Simons says: Challenges in the application of Simons' levers of control framework Management Accounting research group conference [Details]
(2011) EAA annual conference
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2011) Creativity, control and efficiency EAA annual conference [Details]
(2011) Accounting, Organizations and Society workshop Barcelona
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2011) Creativity, control and efficiency Accounting, Organizations and Society workshop Barcelona [Details]
(2011) Management Accounting Research Group Conference in association with the Management Control Association
Sweeney, B; Curtis, E; Martyn, P. (2011) Simons Says: A critical analysis of the literature on Simons’ Levers of Control Framework Management Accounting Research Group Conference in association with the Management Control Association [Details]
(2012) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference
Sweeney, B; Curtis, E; Martyn, P. (2012) Simons Says: A critical analysis of the literature on Simons’ Levers of Control Framework Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual Conference [Details]
(2012) EIASM manufacturing accounting research conference
Sweeney, B., Curtis, E. and Martyn, P. (2012) Simons says: Challenges in the application of Simons' levers of control EIASM manufacturing accounting research conference [Details]
(2014) EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting
Sweeney, B. and Curtis, E (2014) Numerical representation, pragmatism and action EIASM New Directions in Management Accounting [Details]
(2014) 2014 Management Accounting Section Research and Case Conference
Sweeney, B and Curtis, E. (2014) Simons says: Strategic variables, levers of control and control systems 2014 Management Accounting Section Research and Case Conference [Details]
(2014) EIASM 21st International Product development Management Conference
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2014) Business models, management control and new product development EIASM 21st International Product development Management Conference [Details]
(2014) Management Control Assocation /MACORG Symposium
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2014) Roles and implications of budgets in NPD: Importance of the business model Management Control Assocation /MACORG Symposium [Details]
(2012) CELT conference
Sweeney, B , Lohan, G & Curtis, E. (2012) Research Driven Case-Based Teaching: Effective Communication of Real World Evidence CELT conference [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(1998) 'Economic Value Added - Really adding something new?'
Brabazon, B. and Sweeney, B (1998) 'Economic Value Added - Really adding something new?' Accountancy Ireland, :14-15. [Details]
(1997) 'Bridging the expectation gap - on shaky foundations?¿'
Sweeney, B. (1997) 'Bridging the expectation gap - on shaky foundations?¿' Accountancy Ireland, :18-20. [Details]
(1998) 'Theory of Constraints'
Brabazon, B. and Sweeney, B (1998) 'Theory of Constraints' ACCA Students¿ Newsletter, :2-3. [Details]
(1997) 'Environmental Reporting: The next challenge for the profession?'
Brabazon, B. and Sweeney, B (1997) 'Environmental Reporting: The next challenge for the profession?' CPA Journal of Accountancy, :30-31. [Details]
(2023) 'Are highly integrated performance measures beneficial for decision making by senior management teams?'
Sweeney, B. (2023) 'Are highly integrated performance measures beneficial for decision making by senior management teams?' Accountancy Plus, :3-6. [Details]
(2013) 'Creativity and management control'
Breda Sweeney and Emer Curtis (2013) 'Creativity and management control' Accountancy Ireland, :59-61. [Details]
(2013) 'Time constraints and creativity in the medical devices industry'
Emer Curtis and Breda Sweeney (2013) 'Time constraints and creativity in the medical devices industry' Engineers Ireland Journal online, . [Details]
(2007) 'Good hours and bad hours: A multi-perspective examination of the (dys)functionality of auditor underreporting of time'
Sweeney, B and Pierce, B (2007) 'Good hours and bad hours: A multi-perspective examination of the (dys)functionality of auditor underreporting of time' IFAC Journal of Audit Practice, 4 (2) :59-98. [Details]
(2005) 'Management Control in Audit firms: A qualitative investigation'
Sweeney, B. and Pierce, B. (2005) 'Management Control in Audit firms: A qualitative investigation' IFAC Journal of Audit Practice, 2 (4) :61-95. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2023) Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual conference,
Breda Sweeney (2023) Turning a conference paper into a journal submission. [Plenary Lecture], Irish Accounting and Finance Association Annual conference, Galway , 08-JUN-23 - 09-JUN-23. [Details]
(2019) CPA Centre for Innovation,
Breda Sweeney (2019) Protecting Organizational Ambidexterity. [Invited Lecture], CPA Centre for Innovation, Vancouver , 18-JUN-19. [Details]
(2019) 42nd Accounting and Finance Colloquium,
Breda Sweeney (2019) Welsh Accounting and Finance Colloquium. [Plenary Lecture], 42nd Accounting and Finance Colloquium, Gregynog , 13-MAY-19 - 15-MAY-19. [Details]

Media

  Year Publication
(2018) Incremental and radical innovation are both necessary.
Sweeney, B. (2018) Incremental and radical innovation are both necessary. Irish Times Media [Details]

Policy Contribution

  Year Publication
(2018) Achieving Organisational Ambidexterity.
Sweeney, B. (2018) Achieving Organisational Ambidexterity. Whitaker Institute for Innovation & Social Change Policy Brief 40 Policy Contribution [Details]
(2017) Protecting multiple forms of innovation.
Curtis, E. and Sweeney, B. (2017) Protecting multiple forms of innovation. Whitaker Institute for Innovation & Social Change Policy Brief 21 Policy Contribution [Details]

Report

  Year Publication
(2021) Literature review: Management control in auditing firms and its implications for managing co-existing objectives.
Sander Tiggelaar, Paula van Veen-Dirks, Sakshi Girdhar, Breda Sweeney (2021) Literature review: Management control in auditing firms and its implications for managing co-existing objectives. Report [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Fellow of Insitute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland Fellow Chartered Accountant 01-SEP-95 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Irish Accounting and Finance Association /

Teaching Interests

Introductory Accounting,
Management Accounting (undergraduate),
Management Control Systems (postgraduate), 
Accounting for Managers (EMBA), 
Performance Management, Ethics and Governance (EMBA)