Context (archaeology)

Thematic analysis

Engineering

Biology

Accounting

Economics

Business

Qualitative research

Paleontology

Mechanical engineering

Management accounting

Audit

Work (physics)

Accounting research

Social capital

Social network analysis

Sociology

Finance

Accounting information system

Social accounting

Social science

Contemporary Accounting Research

ABSTRACT Social network analysis (SNA) examines whether interactions between individuals, teams, and organizations result in network structures and patterns that can explain important outcomes, including firm performance, management reporting behaviors, investor beliefs, and audit outcomes. This paper reviews the growing body of work on SNA in accounting and finance research, focusing on 162 articles published between 2000 and 2021, and offers a roadmap that may help move this literature forward. Our survey summarizes the elements of SNA, organizes this literature within a theoretical framework, and provides a thematic discussion of the context and contribution of the selected studies. We also discuss opportunities and challenges for future research. Finally, we include an empirical illustration of the key concepts and tools of SNA. We believe that SNA will continue to offer an interesting avenue for conducting high‐impact and cross‐disciplinary research in accounting and finance.

Social Networks Analysis in Accounting and Finance*