The Past, Present, and Future of China-Related Accounting Research

39 Pages Posted: 20 Jul 2022 Last revised: 15 Aug 2022

See all articles by Qiang Cheng

Qiang Cheng

Singapore Management University - School of Accountancy

Luzi Hail

University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Gwen Yu

University of Michigan

Date Written: August 13, 2022

Abstract

This discussion makes several observations regarding the past 25 years of China-related accounting research reviewed in Lennox and Wu (2022). First, we discuss factors of supply and demand that led to the rise of China-related studies and how this growth has contributed to the internationalization of accounting research. We note that the taxonomy of the literature by geographic region rather than topic or methodology is unusual and makes it difficult to formulate a common framework that would help organize the many contributions. Next, we distill distinct patterns in authorship, choice of topics, and asserted contributions of China-related studies. Studies are increasingly shaped by the availability of new data and regulatory reforms. These features should be interpreted carefully, as most reforms are interconnected and reflect the purposeful outcome of a tightly controlled economy. As a result, issues of generalizability arise. Alternatively, researchers could embrace the China setting and strive to identify the local institutional forces that make it special. We see such a more institutional, context-specific view of China-related—or better—international research as an opportunity for the field. We close by presenting five broad themes we view as promising areas for future China-related research.

Keywords: China, Emerging markets, State-owned enterprises, Archival accounting research, International accounting, Institutional factors

JEL Classification: F15, F21, F30, G15, G30, H70

Suggested Citation

Cheng, Qiang and Hail, Luzi and Yu, Gwen, The Past, Present, and Future of China-Related Accounting Research (August 13, 2022). Singapore Management University School of Accountancy Research Paper No. 2023-161, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4157833 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4157833

Qiang Cheng

Singapore Management University - School of Accountancy ( email )

60 Stamford Road
Singapore, 178900
Singapore

Luzi Hail (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School ( email )

3641 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6365
United States
215-898-8205 (Phone)
215-573-2054 (Fax)

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

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1000 Brussels
Belgium

Gwen Yu

University of Michigan ( email )

701 Tappan Street
R3350
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States
7347635934 (Phone)

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