Reflections on the application of and potential for structuration theory in accounting research

This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion of the value of structuration theory as ‘an ontology of potentials’ for empirical research in accounting. In engaging with the two main papers in this issue, it considers issues of methodological bracketing and the extent to which the work of Coad and Glyptis (2013) offers an agency focus rather than an institutional focus for analysis. Further to Englund and Gerdin’s (2013) analysis, it also considers in more depth the limited use in the literature of many of the concepts Giddens (1976, 1984) identifies as central to change, suggesting there exists potential to further develop this area, rather than necessarily seeking to supplement structuration theory with insights from other theoretical frameworks in order to analyse and understand how accounting is implicated in organisational change. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. * Correspondence address: University of Southampton, School of Management, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. E-mail address: [email protected]. G Model YCPAC-1762; No. of Pages 7 Please cite this article in press as: Conrad L. Reflections on the application of and potential for structuration theory in accounting research, Crit Perspect Account (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2012.12.003