Top Management Dynamics and Audit Quality: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This article investigates the connection among Top Management Team (TMT) characteristics and audit quality, focusing on how leadership attributes such as expertise, diversity, tenure, and risk management influence corporate governance and audit outcomes. Given the increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and robust financial reporting, the involvement of TMTs in guaranteeing audit quality has become more critical. We reviewed 255 articles published between 1996 and 2021 to analyze key trends, core publications, and influential themes related to TMT characteristics and audit quality. The study uses bibliometric analysis tools, including co-occurrence networks and thematic maps, to uncover the central themes in the literature. Audit quality, corporate governance, and audit fees emerged as dominant topics, while emerging areas such as board quality and internal audit quality suggest new opportunities for future research. The findings underscore the pivotal role of TMT characteristics in shaping governance practices, demonstrating that strategically shaping TMT composition through board size, diversity, and expertise can significantly enhance audit quality, reduce aggressive earnings management, and improve overall governance frameworks. This research provides practical insights for industries, particularly large enterprises and the banking sector, where audit quality is critical for maintaining financial stability. It also contributes to the academic literature by underscoring the interconnectedness of TMT characteristics and audit quality, offering valuable recommendations for scholars and practitioners. Organizations can optimize leadership structures to ensure stronger governance and reliable financial reporting by understanding how TMT attributes influence audit processes.