Data sources
Kingston Shipping Company and its accounting system
Accounting information dealt with both internal and external activities. Internal reports focussed upon the "impact of the organization's separate parts on its total financial performance". External memoranda dealt with market prices and transactions for which "the market price supplied every conceivable bit of information for decision making and control (Johnson & Kaplan, 1987, p.37)".11 While Johnson and Kaplan privilege the role of internal information and examine it in isolation, internal and external events were instead inter-related, mutually influencing environments. Attention to internal processes could compensate for a lesser degree of control with respect to external factors. External factors also affected the accounting for internal operations. For example, KSCO adopted business and reporting methods similar to those of other industry members. Since firms worked together and frequently had ownership links, accounting methods were relatively standardised and similar. Banks required financial reports and firm management frequently hired outside auditors to review these, signalling the firm's credit worthiness (KSCO's terms of incorporation provided for audit reports to be presented at its general meeting of shareholders). In recognition of this internal/external environment, the analysis focusses on KSCO's internal reporting, but includes an evaluation of this information as reflecting effective use of its interfirm network.