Information Technology and Systems Research Published in Major Accounting Academic and Professional Journals

Abstract

Information technology plays a critical role in modern business, especially regarding the accounting function. Thus, one might expect that information technology and accounting systems would be a major component of accounting research. This study seeks to answer the questions: To what extent does the accounting literature include technology and systems research, and is technology and systems research adequately addressed in the accounting literature? To answer these questions, this study examines the proportion of technology and systems articles in seven top-ranked accounting journals, four academic and three professional. Journals examined include: The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Contemporary Accounting Research, Journal of Accountancy, CPA Journal, and Strategic Finance (formerly Management Accounting). The findings indicate that while there has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of systems articles published in the professional journals, there were very, very few technology and systems articles published in the academic journals. This might suggest a lack of appropriate attention by academic accounting journals to this important area. Consequently, accounting information systems (AIS) professors who are doing research in systems have a disadvantage in publishing research in top-ranked academic journals. This may result in adverse career consequences for AIS professors if they are expected to publish in these particular academic journals. Further, lack of systems research published in academic journals is detrimental to the perceived and actual relevance of these journals, as technology and systems issues are vitally important to the accounting profession.