Views of board members on internal audit and internal auditors: A field study

This study examines the perceptions of board members towards internal audit and internal auditors in companies operating within the precast concrete sector in Turkey. The primary objective of the research is to reveal the existence, functionality, and contribution level of internal audit systems to corporate governance in this specific sector. Given the sector's unique structure and the underdeveloped nature of corporate governance practices, the thesis aims to address the existing gap in internal auditing from an academic perspective. Structured questionnaires were employed as the data collection method, and the data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software. The questionnaire covers multiple dimensions, including the structural characteristics of the companies, demographic information of board members, the structure of the internal audit unit, perceptions of trust in internal auditors, as well as perceptions of their independence and competence, and the contribution of internal audit to corporate governance. The findings indicate that internal audit units are present at a limited level within the precast concrete sector. However, board members perceive internal auditing as contributing positively to company performance and corporate governance. It has been identified that internal audit is associated with sustainability, quality management, and digitalization processes. Moreover, board members express trust in the independence and professional competence of internal auditors. This study aims to contribute both to the academic literature and to serve as a guiding resource for companies in the sector regarding corporate auditing and governance practices.