Factors affecting initial placement of accounting Ph.Ds

Abstract

The perceived prestige of the doctoral degree granting institution traditionally has had a major effect on job opportunities available to a new accounting Ph.D. However, given recent shortages of accounting academics, the role of program prestige may have changed. It is possible that individual factors also may now play a role in the initial placement decision. This study examines the effects of both doctoral program prestige and individual factors on the initial placement decision.

While our results indicate that doctoral program prestige still largely dictates the initial placement decision, several other factors are found to be important. New graduates initially placed at higher level institutions report faculty involvement during the application process as well as significant research support by the hiring institution. New faculty placing lower than expected report the mix of teaching and research as well as the quality of life as being significant factors in their employment decision.

Citation

Stammerjohan, W.W., Seifert, D.L. and Guidry, R.P. (2009), "Factors affecting initial placement of accounting Ph.Ds", Schwartz, B.N. and Catanach, A.H. (Ed.) Advances in Accounting Education (Advances in Accounting Education, Vol. 10), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 103-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1085-4622(2009)0000010007