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Research productivity of accounting academics in changing and challenging times

Debbie Wills (School of Accounting and Corporate Governance, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia)
Gail Ridley (School of Accounting and Corporate Governance, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia)
Helena Mitev (School of Accounting and Corporate Governance, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia)

Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change

ISSN: 1832-5912

Article publication date: 15 March 2013

3851

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate factors considered to impact on the research productivity of accounting academics, and identify how the factors were related. The study aims to set itself within an international context of increased workloads, and revenue‐driven research and teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta‐analysis was conducted of international studies from accounting and related business fields, published between 1988 and 2008, that examined factors influencing the research productivity of academics. A data‐driven approach to thematic analysis was used to synthesise the results, which were categorised into two time periods.

Findings

Three clusters of factors that accounted for researcher productivity were found to have had most focus in related studies over the period. These were “Institutional characteristics”, “Intrinsic motivation” and “Knowledge, skills and other individual characteristics”. Hierarchical clusters of factors operating at government, institution and individual levels appeared to influence the research output of accounting academics.

Practical implications

Increased understanding of the factors that affect the research productivity of accounting academics, and how they are related, has potential to benefit individual researchers and their institutions.

Originality/value

Models identified in previous studies have not considered the impact of the relatively recent global market pressures on accounting academics. As the proposed model was developed from a meta‐analysis of many international studies it is likely to accommodate current global pressures better than previous models.

Keywords

Citation

Wills, D., Ridley, G. and Mitev, H. (2013), "Research productivity of accounting academics in changing and challenging times", Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 4-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/18325911311307186

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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