Abstract Prior studies have been conducted to determine the number of publications appearing in various journals, authored by accounting faculty promoted to associate or full professor status. However, there is a widespread perception that the criteria for promotion has changed considerably in recent years. That is, increased emphasis is being placed on research in both doctoral and non-doctoral granting institutions and new assistant professors as well as associate professors face an arduous task of meeting raised expectations. The current study revisits this issue by reviewing the publication history of 584 recently promoted faculty members. This study deals with a timely sample of promotions occurring in 1987,1988, and 1989. Results indicate that, on the average, associate professors and full professors in AACSB-accredited universities publish more than their counterparts at non-AACSB accredited institutions. Moreover, associate professors in both types of institutions tended to publish at a greater rate in the years immediately surrounding their promotion year. This may be indicative of the fact that there is increased emphasis placed upon the number of publications in the promotion decision. Other tests indicated that the number of publications is not only associated with the type of institution, but is also dependent upon the area of specialization. That is, faculty concentrating in the tax and audit areas published at a higher rate than their counterparts in other areas. In addition, the results indicated that faculty that do not publish may need to relocate in order to secure promotion.
Englebrecht et al. (Tue,) studied this question.