Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management : the Emerging Agenda

Contemporary interdisciplinary research in accounting and more recently, management, is increasingly employing qualitative research methodologies. This paper examines the unique features and relevance of qualitative research and addresses its critics. A select group of methodologies are examined with respect to their utility for and approach to accounting and management research questions. The features of historical research, field based case study, ethnography, grounded theory, and action research are considered with reference to contemporary accounting and management research and the development of the qualitative research agenda is advocated.