An Examination of the Status and Attributes of Chair Professorships in Accounting
Abstract
Colleges and universities have shared in the economic growth of the stock
market of the 1990s. Many top universities have seen large increases in their
endowments. Accounting programs have also benefited from the increase in
endowments, resulting in an increase in the numbers of chair professorships.
The primary purposes of this study are to: (1) examine the nature and status of
chair professorships in accounting; (2) determine objectives, criteria, benefits,
and challenges of establishing chair professorships; and (3) establish
benchmarks for assessing the credentials and qualifications necessary to obtain
chair professorships in accounting. Results indicate that (1) the primary purpose
of the chair professorship is academic prestige; (2) research is considered the
most import ant objective; (3) although excellence in teaching is considered
important, this is not always reflected in the time spent on that activity; (4)
professional and academic service is considered an important part of the duties
of the chair professors; and (5) the amount of time spent on teaching activities is
less than that spent on research and service. The results of this study should
improve accounting programs’ ability to assess existing chair professorships or to
establish such positions.
market of the 1990s. Many top universities have seen large increases in their
endowments. Accounting programs have also benefited from the increase in
endowments, resulting in an increase in the numbers of chair professorships.
The primary purposes of this study are to: (1) examine the nature and status of
chair professorships in accounting; (2) determine objectives, criteria, benefits,
and challenges of establishing chair professorships; and (3) establish
benchmarks for assessing the credentials and qualifications necessary to obtain
chair professorships in accounting. Results indicate that (1) the primary purpose
of the chair professorship is academic prestige; (2) research is considered the
most import ant objective; (3) although excellence in teaching is considered
important, this is not always reflected in the time spent on that activity; (4)
professional and academic service is considered an important part of the duties
of the chair professors; and (5) the amount of time spent on teaching activities is
less than that spent on research and service. The results of this study should
improve accounting programs’ ability to assess existing chair professorships or to
establish such positions.