Three decades of the Asia Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting (APIRA) conference: community building for transformation

Purpose This study is a history of the APIRA Conference, first held in Sydney in 1995, as a catalyst for, and further development of, the Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal (AAAJ) Community. It addresses the advent and development of the APIRA Conference series, together with the related Emerging Scholars’ Colloquium (ESC) from 2001 and the linked Hall of Fame Awards from 2010. These strategies of the founding, and continuing Joint Editors, Parker and Guthrie, were designed for, and contributed to, interdisciplinary accounting research community building, concerned with demonstrating the value of scholarship of this ilk for transforming accounting and the world. Design/methodology/approach The investigation embraced APIRA surviving records, including annual editorials published in AAAJ between 1988 and 2017, other relevant literature, oral history interviews with the editors and reminiscences of delegates. Findings APIRA has contributed to generating, shaping and leading developments in global interdisciplinary accounting research. Recognised for innovation and interdisciplinary research community building, with a reputation for nurturing emerging scholars and recognising exemplary research leaders, AAAJ continues to challenge the status quo and stimulate innovative, engaging and inclusive scholarship for changing mindsets in accounting thought and practice. Research limitations/implications The study does not examine papers presented at APIRA nor ESC proposals or evaluate specific research published in AAAJ. Originality/value This historical study informs understanding of key drivers for stimulating, nurturing and developing the “AAAJ Community” and for instilling interdisciplinary accounting scholarship and its value for transformative purposes.