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The Real Impact Factor and the Gap between Accounting Research and Practice

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  • Alberto Quagli
  • Francesco Avallone
  • Paola Ramassa

Abstract

This paper explores the gap between accounting research and practice with two primary objectives. First, it provides a review of the main results obtained by the impressive literature on the topic to get a comprehensive picture of this phenomenon, considering the different perspectives and research methods used so far. This review aims not only at summarizing results, but also at outlining a logical framework that could be useful for both our analysis and future studies on the topic. Against this background, our second objective is to carry out an empirical analysis on scholars? motivations and incentives ? rather neglected by prior literature ? with a particular focus on their relationships with professional associations. Evidence from our survey (with 447 questionnaires completed by EAA members) suggests that there is a hierarchy of objectives informing scholars? motivations and that the first one is to publish on highly ranked journals. In such a context, the positive attitude of academics towards practice can be sometimes in conflict with scholars? expectation about effort, individual result and peers? consideration. In other terms, our study supports the idea that there is a gap between research and practice, together with a risk of an increasingly closed community of scientists. Our results seem in line with studies stating that the reasons for this gap essentially lie in the current evaluation logic driving scholars? incentives. Additionally, evidence on scholars? incentives might be helpful in finding new solutions to bridge the gap and supporting future research sharing the same objective.

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  • Alberto Quagli & Francesco Avallone & Paola Ramassa, 2016. "The Real Impact Factor and the Gap between Accounting Research and Practice," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(1), pages 29-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:frfrfr:v:html10.3280/fr2016-001003
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Giovanni Avallone & Alberto Quagli & Paola Ramassa, 2022. "Interdisciplinary research by accounting scholars: An exploratory study," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2), pages 5-34.
    2. Marco Gatti, 2018. "The Impact of Management Accounting Research: An Analysis of the Past and a Look at the Future," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(5), pages 1-47, March.
    3. Maria Serena Chiucchi & Marco Gatti, 2020. "Back to reality. Il gap tra teoria e prassi negli studi di controllo di gestione: quali prospettive?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2020(Suppl. 1), pages 5-10.
    4. Andrea Lionzo, 2017. "Italian academia facing an international scenario: Issues and trends," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(2), pages 5-22.
    5. Fabio Santini, 2021. "Gli "effetti indesiderati" dell?accounting come "scienza". Riflessioni sulla metodologia di ricerca nel management accounting and control," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(2), pages 171-197.
    6. Aldo Pavan & Isabella Fadda, 2017. "Increasing the value of accounting research: An Italian perspective," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(2), pages 29-42.

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