Accounting data as an aid for decision making of Belgian glasshouse managers

According to decision making theory information plays a central role in decision making. Therefore, one would expect a major interest from glasshouse growers for accounting data and other relevant information. However this topic is seldom discussed in the literature and information on the use of accounts by farmers is scarce. The aim of the research is to analyse the use of accounting data for production and investment decisions, as compared to other information sources; to determine the influence of personal characteristics of the firm manager and characteristics of the firm on the use of accounting data and to analyse the
relationship between the use of accounting data and innovative behaviour. The results indicate that the average glasshouse grower makes low use of information for decision making. Own accountancy data are quite important for investment decisions in glasshouses and installations. However important differences of information use can be observed among the growers. The importance attached to 'creativity and innovation' is an important determinant of the use of accounting data. Although no significant differences could be found between the group of the 'innovators and early adopters' and the 'majority', the use of accounting
data was significantly less important for the 'laggards'.