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The blind spots of interdisciplinarity in addressing grand challenges

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  • Pimentel, Erica
  • Cho, Charles
  • Bothello, Joel

Abstract

When implemented effectively, interdisciplinary research can produce practical impact towards addressing societal “grand challenges” while also generating novel conceptual insights that advance theory. However, despite decades of calls for interdisciplinarity, research communities continue to become more siloed and less impactful. This paper aims to highlight the obstacles to interdisciplinary work contained within the accounting community, specifically those associated with Interdisciplinary Accounting Research (IAR). We argue that, in order to overcome these obstacles and produce more effective and impactful interdisciplinary work, we require four IAR practices: Problem-solving, Public engagement, Professionalism and Performance Revision. Our purpose is to identify challenges as well as solutions that reduce the friction that accounting academics experience when collaborating with scholars outside their research discipline, especially when it concerns addressing grand challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Pimentel, Erica & Cho, Charles & Bothello, Joel, 2022. "The blind spots of interdisciplinarity in addressing grand challenges," MPRA Paper 114562, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:114562
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    interdisciplinary; accounting academic research; engagement and impact; community;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M0 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - General

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