Accounting research boundaries, multiple centers and academic empathy

This commentary on the article “On centrality of peripheral research and dangers tight boundary gatekeeping” is a personal reflection developed around four considerations. (1) Boundaries are defined according to center we position ourselves in, which implies that multiple centers boundaries possible. (2) Although tension between typical across disciplines in their endeavor create disciplinary identity, existence related paradigmatic divides. (3) Problems excessive gatekeeping arise protect reputation dominant center. (4) The complexity today’s societal environmental challenges calls for an interdisciplinary approach. My concluding remarks develop idea that, if bridges cannot be built divides, tensions can harnessed productively by nurturing academic empathy. Academic empathy, I argue, becomes key way – as individual scholars face greatest are, nature, require us rethink boundaries.