Exploring the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Productivity: A Study of Accounting Faculty Who Are Caregivers of Children*

Abstract

This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the productivity of accounting faculty who identify as caregivers of children. We examine the effects on caregivers of children because of the significant shift in the family-work interface that resulted from remote working and learning. We draw on existing family-work conflict research to develop four hypotheses that explore why the productivity of accounting faculty who are caregivers of children might be affected differently during the pandemic than that of accounting faculty who are non-caregivers of children. We surveyed accounting faculty primarily across Canada and the United States. We find that accounting faculty caring for children during the pandemic experienced reduced research, teaching, and service productivity because of increased family-work conflict and depletion. We supplement our main findings with an analysis of open-ended questions to further understand productivity changes and supports for research, teaching, and service. Our study contributes to research examining family-work conflict, employee productivity, and the accounting profession by making practical recommendations for providing targeted support for caregivers of children during times of crisis.