The primary aim of the book is to provide a rigorous yet accessible scholarly resource for early-career researchers in the fields of business and accounting. It focuses on how theory can be effectively selected, applied, developed, and communicated in both empirical and conceptual research, addressing common challenges faced by doctoral candidates and early-career academics. Written by leading experts, the book is an essential resource for readers seeking to understand the effective use of theory in business research.

Dr. Hashem Alshurafat is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Deputy Dean at the Business School of Hashemite University. He earned his PhD in Accounting from University of Southern Queensland, where he developed a strong academic foundation in accounting theories, research methods, and contemporary accounting practices. In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Alshurafat is actively engaged in the international academic community as an editor, reviewer, and researcher. He serves on the editorial boards of SAGE Open and Discover Sustainability, and has acted as a guest editor for several special issues in reputable journals, including Sustainability and Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting. His scholarly achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and distinctions. In 2024, he was ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists according to the Stanford University global ranking system. He has also received the Best Reviewer Award from Emerald Publishing and the Best Paper Award from the AL-Hussain Fund. Dr. Alshurafat has contributed extensively to the publication of edited and authored books with internationally recognized publishers, including Springer Nature and Emerald Publishing. His research interests focus on forensic accounting, sustainability and corporate governance, accounting technology, and accounting education. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and presented at prestigious international conferences indexed in Scopus, ABS, ABDC, and Web of Science databases.