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Contemporary public sector accounting research – An international comparison of journal papers

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  • Goddard, Andrew

Abstract

This paper provides a broad review of the public sector accounting research in recent years, including that undertaken in the US. An analysis of this research reveals a methodological distinction between research undertaken in the US (using predominately functionalist methodologies, accompanied by positivistic quantitative research methods) and that undertaken in the rest of the world (using interpretive and radical/alternative methodologies, with qualitative research methods). The nature, causes and consequences of this distinction are discussed. The paper concludes with an exhortation for PSAR researchers to explore multiparadigmatic methodologies in future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Goddard, Andrew, 2010. "Contemporary public sector accounting research – An international comparison of journal papers," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 75-87.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:42:y:2010:i:2:p:75-87
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2010.02.006
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    1. Ahrens, Thomas & Becker, Albrecht & Burns, John & Chapman, Christopher S. & Granlund, Markus & Habersam, Michael & Hansen, Allan & Khalifa, Rihab & Malmi, Teemu & Mennicken, Andrea & Mikes, Anette & P, 2008. "The future of interpretive accounting research—A polyphonic debate," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 840-866.
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    6. Jane Broadbent & James Guthrie, 2008. "Public sector to public services: 20 years of “contextual” accounting research," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(2), pages 129-169, February.
    7. Baxter, Jane & Chua, Wai Fong, 2003. "Alternative management accounting research--whence and whither," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(2-3), pages 97-126.
    8. Rihab Khalifa & Paolo Quattrone, 2008. "The Governance of Accounting Academia: Issues for a Debate," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 65-86.
    9. Williams, Paul F. & Jenkins, J. Gregory & Ingraham, Laura, 2006. "The winnowing away of behavioral accounting research in the US: The process for anointing academic elites," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 783-818, November.
    10. Kakkuri-Knuuttila, Marja-Liisa & Lukka, Kari & Kuorikoski, Jaakko, 2008. "No premature closures of debates, please: A response to Ahrens," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(2-3), pages 298-301.
    11. Joanne Locke & Alan Lowe, 2008. "Evidence and Implications of Multiple Paradigms in Accounting Knowledge Production," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 161-191.
    12. Merchant, Kenneth A., 2008. "Why interdisciplinary accounting research tends not to impact most North American academic accountants," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 901-908.
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    Cited by:

    1. Grzegorz Bucior & Aleksandra Zurawik, 2022. "The Autonomy of Public Sector Units in the Process of Formulating Accounting Policy – Evidence from Poland," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 555-581.
    2. Argento, Daniela & van Helden, Jan, 2023. "Are public sector accounting researchers going through an identity shift due to the increasing importance of journal rankings?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).

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