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Using an Experimental Economics Approach in Behavioral Accounting Research
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ABSTRACT The paper begins with a brief comparison of the research perspectives of experimental economists vs. those of most behavioral accountants who conduct experiments. This is followed by a detailed description of two specific studies. The first study provides an example of the experimental economics approach, while the second study provides an example of the integration of this approach into a behavioral accounting study. These studies are used to illustrate the standard techniques and procedures used in experimental economics and compare them to those used in conventional behavioral accounting experiments. The potential costs and benefits of integrating aspects of the experimental economics approach into behavioral accounting experiments are discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of how such an integrative approach could significantly increase the impact of behavioral accounting experiments. The goal of this paper is to discuss the potential benefits of integrating aspects of the experimental economics approach into behavioral accounting experiments. I begin by providing a brief comparison of the research perspectives of experimental economists vs. those of most behavioral accountants who conduct experiments. This is followed by a detailed description of two specific studies. The first study (Kagel et al. 1996) provides an example of the experimental economics approach, while the second study (Moser et al. 1995) provides an example of the integration of this approach into a behavioral accounting study.1 I use these studies to illustrate the standard techniques and procedures used in experimental economics, and then compare these techniques and procedures to those used m conventional behavioral accounting experiments. The potential costs and benefits of integrating aspects of the experimental economics approach into behavioral accounting experiments are discussed. I conclude by explaining why, in my view, such an integrative approach has the potential to significantly increase the impact of behavioral accounting experiments. BACKGROUND Several...