Realizing the potential of interdisciplinarity in accounting research

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of interdisciplinarity in accounting research and the possible benefits of moving toward a more integrated interdisciplinary approach. It also examines the drawbacks and institutional impediments to such a move.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon and synthesizes the authors’ experiences of involvement in the interdisciplinary accounting community over the past two decades.

Findings

The paper distinguishes between interdisciplinarity at the field level and interdisciplinarity within individual studies. Noting a lack of study-level interdisciplinarity within accounting research, it explores the potential for novel insights emerging from encouragement of such an approach.

Research limitations/implications

Institutional impediments to study-level interdisciplinarity need to be addressed if the accounting academy is to realize the potentially powerful benefits and social contribution of such an approach to research. A key limitation is that the paper is based primarily on the observations and perspectives of the authors.

Originality/value

The paper provides a distinction between field-level and study-level interdisciplinarity.

Citation

O’Dwyer, B. and Unerman, J. (2014), "Realizing the potential of interdisciplinarity in accounting research", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 27 No. 8, pp. 1227-1232. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-07-2014-1756