Qualitative management accounting research: Rationale, pitfalls and potential: A comment on Vaivio (2008)

Abstract

Purpose This paper's purpose is to provide a commentary on “Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential,” a paper by Juhani Vaivio. Design/methodology/approach The approach is to draw on alternative research paradigms to expand the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting. Findings The paper endorses many of the prescriptions in Vaivio but expands the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting to recognize the blurred boundaries with field research more generally, and to be more inclusive of qualitative field research from a positivist/functionalist perspective. Similarly, the need for qualita..