Factors affecting the internal auditors’ effectiveness in the Jordanian public sector: The moderating effect of task complexity

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating effect of task complexity on external auditors’ cooperation (EAC), top management empowerment and internal auditors’ independence, which affect internal auditors’ effectiveness in the Jordanian public sector.Design/methodology/approachThis paper utilised 117 usable questionnaires from financial managers and internal audit (IA) managers of the Jordanian public sector institutions. The collected data were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results reveal that EAC, top management empowerment, and internal auditors’ independence are the factors which positively and significantly affect the internal auditors’ effectiveness, as supported by the resource-based theory, with incomplete support for the task complexity’s role as a moderator.Practical implicationsThe findings are important for the decision-makers and regulators in introducing new legislation and regulation for the IA profession in the Jordanian public sector.Social implicationsIt is shown that the factors affecting the internal auditors’ effectiveness can definitely enhance their ability to achieve the role of IA in protecting public funds and limiting financial and administrative corrupt practices, particularly in the public sector.Originality/valueTo the best knowledge of the authors, this study is one of the first studies that addresses task complexity as an interaction effect on the factors affecting internal auditors’ effectiveness in the public sector.