Using macro-societal accounting data: Some critical afterthoughts

There is a tendency among researchers working in the societal accounting field to focus almost exclusively on conceptual exploration, design and measurement. This article suggests that it may be desirable to venture beyond the strictly theoretical and methodological domain and work towards satisfying concrete user needs. Personal experience is adduced to show that the output of the societal accounting movement falls short of providing the informational basis for management and political decision-making. Some ideas are also put forward as to possible ways of reducing the gap between the researcher/analyst and users of societal accounting data.