Critical dialogics, agonistic pluralism, and accounting information systems

We propose heteroglossic accounting as a context wherein accounting information systems may be conceptualized so as to provide a more complete and complex basis for including competing, and possibility incompatible, information needs associated with interested and diverse constituencies. Given that information needs to vary based on such dimensions as geography, values, views, and vision, one representation is unlikely to be adequate. Incorporating pluralistic perspectives facilitates more relevant comparisons required to derived criteria of judging among the viable alternatives, especially in cases where no one perspective can be shown to be inclusive. Agonistic pluralism employed in developing alternative accounting information systems provides insights into the underlying ideologies, assumptions, values, worldviews, and power relationships that inform alternative positions, indicating those being privileged. Accounting information systems conceptualization, development, and implementation based on the principles of critical dialogics recognizes the countervailing forces operating both pulling the dialog and debate toward hegemonic consensus as well as pushing it toward antagonistic separation.