The determinants of accounting comparability around the world

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-88
Author(s):  
Jonathan Ross ◽  
Linna Shi ◽  
Hong Xie
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Accounting Comparability

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate country-level and firm-level determinants of within-country accounting comparability for 16 European Union countries plus the USA in the post-International Financial Reporting Standards adoption period. Design/methodology/approach The authors use ordinary least squares regression to test the hypotheses with a correction for heteroscedasticity. Findings The authors find that firms in countries with rules-based accounting, higher quality public auditor work environments, stricter enforcement of accounting standards and more reliance on equity-market financing have higher within-country comparability with each other. At the firm-level, the authors find that firms which are larger, engage in less earnings management, and have lower return-on-asset volatility have higher within-country comparability with each other. Research limitations/implications The authors use one measure of accounting comparability. Alternative measures of accounting comparability could test the hypotheses more completely. Practical implications The findings of the paper may help the regulators make more efficient policies to establish an efficient financial market within their country. Originality/value The paper is the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to identify country-level and firm-level determinants of within-country accounting comparability. It contributes to the accounting literature by completing the theory of international accounting comparability from the within-country perspectives, as prior literature focuses on the cross-country perspective of international accounting comparability.

An investigation of government employees’ support for public-private partnerships

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razilya Shakirova
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Public Private Partnerships ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that may influence support of public-private partnerships (PPPs) by government employees potentially involved in designing and implementing cross-sectoral collaborations. Design/methodology/approach Based on an original survey of government employees in the USA, this study explores the impact of individual, organizational and environmental factors on their support for PPPs by employing ordinary least squares regression. Findings Among the individual factors, involvement in PPPs and concerns for efficiency have been identified as factors having positive impact on government employees’ support for PPPs. Male government employees seem to be less supportive of PPPs than female government employees. Environmental factors such as public opinion and appointed agency heads positively influence government employees’ views of PPPs. No evidence for the significant impact of organizational factors on government employee perceptions of PPPs was found. Research limitations/implications Factors influencing government employees’ attitudes may also have an effect on employees’ behaviors when involved in PPPs. Further studies may clarify how attitudes are translated into behaviors and how they influence the performance of PPPs. Investigations into government employees’ views of PPPs before and after their actual involvement in partnerships may allow for identifying changes in employees’ support for PPPs and their possible causes. Originality/value This study investigates the impacts of individual, organizational and environmental factors on government employees’ support for partnerships with the private sector that remain under-researched in the literature.

Reporting of discontinued operations and dividend payout policy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binod Guragai ◽  
Trent Henke ◽  
Glen Young
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Payout Policy ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Dividend Increases ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Discontinued Operations

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between the types of discontinued operations (i.e. income-increasing versus income-decreasing) and a firm’s dividend payout policy. The authors extend our analysis to examine whether equity investors react differently to dividend payout changes that are preceded by the reporting of different types of discontinued operations. Design/methodology/approach Ordinary least squares regressions are used to test the association between discontinued operations and dividend payouts. The investor response test uses cumulative abnormal return around the announcement of dividend payout changes. Findings The authors find that firms temporarily increase (decrease) their dividend payout in the quarter following the reporting of income-increasing (income-decreasing) discontinued operations. The authors further find that these results are stronger when the magnitude of the income increase or income decrease is larger and when firms report disposal gains or losses. Although prior literature finds evidence that dividend increases are associated with a significant positive market reaction, the results show that investors do not react positively to dividend increases that are preceded by reporting income-increasing discontinued operations. Originality/value This study adds to the literature on the effects of financial reporting (i.e. the types of discontinued operations) on a firm’s payout policy (i.e. dividend payout). The authors also add to the literature that examines investors’ perceptions of a firm’s payout changes when such changes are transitory in nature.

Human resource executives and post-IPO firm growth

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1401-1418
Author(s):  
Carrie A. Belsito ◽  
Christopher R. Reutzel ◽  
Jamie D. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Initial Public Offerings ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Firms ◽  
Test Study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between human resource (HR) executive representation in top management and the growth of newly public firms. It draws upon research on strategic leadership, strategic HR management and Penrose’s theory of firm growth to consider the role of HRs executives in addressing demands placed upon top managers in the pursuit of firm growth. This study attempts to extend the focus of research on the influence of HR executives on organizational outcomes Design/methodology/approach In order to test study hypotheses, this study analyses data from a sample of US newly public firms that underwent initial public offerings (IPO) during the 2007 calendar year. Study data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression in order to test study hypotheses. Findings This study provides general support for study hypotheses. First, HR executive presence in top management was found to be positively related to post-IPO firm growth. Second, upper echelon size and the number of firm employees were found to weaken the positive effect of HR executive presence in top management on post-IPO firm growth. Research limitations/implications As a consequence of study design, the results found in this study may be limited with respect to their external validity. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are encouraged to use caution before generalizing study findings to other contexts. Practical implications This study provides implications for top management team staffing and the pursuit of firm growth. Newly public firms appear to benefit in terms of firm growth by including HR executives in top management. The benefits of doing so appear to be reduced for newly public firms as the size of their upper echelons and number of employees increase. Originality/value This study extends research on the firm level consequences of HR executive presence in top management as well as research on factors which influence firm growth.

scholarly journals Tone disclosure and financial performance: evidence from Egypt

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doaa Aly ◽  
Sherif El-Halaby ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Good News ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to examine the extent to which financial performance (FP) represents one of the main determinants for tone disclosure (TD) in Egyptian annual reports. The authors also measure the bidirectional relationship between TD and FP. Design/methodology/approach The manual content analysis is used to measure the levels of TD in annual reports for a sample of 105 firms listed on the Egyptian stock market. The sample covers a three-year period (2011-2013). Findings The descriptive analysis in this paper shows that Egyptian firms disclose more good news than bad news. Therefore, the net news disclosure, or net variances, between good/bad is positive. The empirical analysis shows a positive association between the narrative disclosure of good/bad news and FP based on return on assets. The authors also find a highly significant association between the auditor, profitability, leverage, firm growth and financial reporting of good/bad news information. Finally, the results of the ordinary least squares regression show that the causality between the two endogenous variables runs from FP to TD. Thus, TD is determined by FP. Originality/value This study offers a novel contribution to disclosure studies by being the first study to examine TD in one of the developing countries.

scholarly journals CEO power and R&D investment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Naaman ◽  
Li Sun
Keyword(s):  
Chief Executive ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Ceo Power ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Relation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Investment

Purpose This study aims to examine whether and how the power of a chief executive officer (CEO) relates to firm-level research and development (R&D) investment. Design/methodology/approach The authors use clustered standard errors ordinary least squares regression using a large sample of US firms from 1994 to 2017. Findings The authors find a significant negative relation between CEO power and R&D investment, suggesting that firms with more powerful CEOs are less likely to invest in R&D activities. Besides, the study finds that this significant negative relation is largely driven by firms with weaker corporate governance. Originality/value This study contributes to the finance literature on the impact and consequences of having powerful CEOs and the financial accounting literature on the determinants of R&D expenditures.

External auditor type, discretionary accruals and investors’ reactions

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Egyptian Revolution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
External Auditor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate, in an Egyptian context, the external auditor type (Big 4 vs local) implications on reporting quality proxied by discretionary accruals (DA) and also examine whether auditor type impacts the market’s pricing of DA, where pricing is considered a proxy for the perceived DA quality. Design/methodology/approach The sample period is 2012–2015, that is meant to be post the Egyptian revolution financial crisis; all Egyptian stock exchange (EGX) listed firms (except banks and financial institutions) are considered. DA are estimated using modified Dichev and Dechow’s (2002) model (McNicholas, 2002). Ordinary least squares regression tests are used to investigate the external auditor type implications on DA level and the related EGX investors’ pricing. Findings The findings generally show the external auditor’s minimal role in mitigating DA. Moreover, the findings reflect the EGX investors’ negligence and/or lack of confidence in regards to DA and external auditor type factors in stock pricing. Practical implications The paper findings highlight to regulators the need for effective monitoring of audit firms earnings management mitigation performance to help reinforce investor confidence in financial reporting quality. Originality/value This paper is the first that investigates the external auditor monitoring mechanism implications on investors’ perceptions of earnings quality in Egypt. The paper findings would provide important contributions, particularly post the Egyptian revolution crisis, where the EGX market is trying to restore the investors’ confidence.

Stage of development of a country and CSR disclosure – the latent driving forces

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-493
Author(s):  
Aparna Bhatia ◽  
Binny Makkar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Developed Nations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of various determinants at the country level, the industry level, the firm level and the corporate governance (CG) level on the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in the group of developing and developed nations. Design/methodology/approach The data set comprises 310 companies listed on stock exchanges of developing and developed markets (Brazil – IBrX 100, 42 companies; Russia – Broad Market Index; 48 companies; India – Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 100, 50 companies; China – Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) 180, 27 companies; South Africa – The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE)/Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) All Share index, 49 companies; the USA – New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 100, 47 companies; and the UK – London Stock Exchange (LSE) 100, 47 companies). CSR disclosure is measured through CSR disclosure index. Five separate regression models are run to investigate the impact of the factors that affect the extent of CSR disclosure. Findings The findings reveal that CSR disclosure is influenced by factors both at micro and macro levels. Governance environment, globalization and income inequality are found to be significant determinants of CSR disclosure for developing countries. International listing significantly influences CSR disclosure in the developed countries. The results also exhibit that board with large proportion of independent directors, high presence of CSR committee and environmental sensitive industries are more likely to engage in CSR disclosure practices in developing as well as in developed nations. Research limitations/implications This study implicates that varied factors – at country level, industry level, firm level and CG level – need assessment to know their impact differently in countries at different stages of economic development. However, longitudinal study covering longer period would lead to better generalization of results. Practical implications The findings of this present study implicate that managers must evaluate country’s political, social and economic forces and not just rely on company-level indicators affecting disclosure. Policymakers in emerging nations must emphasize on improving country governance features to enhance CSR disclosure of companies. Developing countries must respect and conform to rules and regulations while going global. More endeavors should be made to raise awareness about the benefits of CSR disclosure on reducing income inequality among companies listed on stock exchanges of developing countries. Emerging nations should follow developed nations in assuming responsibility toward stakeholders in foreign markets. This study also recommends regulatory bodies in both developing and developed countries to frame stringent policies regarding CG for improving CSR disclosure by companies. Originality/value This study overcomes the limitations of prior literature by considering both country- and company-specific determinants in prominent group of developing (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and developed (the USA and the UK) countries.

Calling out the laggards: shareholder activism and board gender diversity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Berns ◽  
Jaime L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Shareholder Activism ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shareholder Proposals ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Board Gender Diversity

Purpose While the presence of women in the boardroom has been steadily increasing, shareholders have taken action to push firms which lag in this area to add women to their boards. The purpose of this study is to examine whether firms with more gender homogenous (i.e. male-dominated) boards are disproportionately targeted with shareholder proposals calling for increased board gender diversity, how gender diversity among other firm leadership moderates this relationship, and whether firms respond. Design/methodology/approach Firth logistic regression is used to analyze the rare occurrence of a shareholder proposal within a sample of 7,226 firm year observations from S&P 1,500 firms in the USA between 2010 and 2017. Ordinary least squares regression is used to examine the subsequent three-year change in board gender diversity using a sample of 3,917 firm year observations. Findings The empirical findings indicate that firms with gender homogenous boards are more likely to incur shareholder proposals aimed at increasing board gender diversity. Having women in leadership positions (e.g. as the Chief Executive Officer) weakens this relationship. Finally, despite most proposals failing to pass, board gender diversity dramatically increases following the rendering of a proposal. Originality/value This study adds to the understanding of the principal-agent relationship, offering novel insights into shareholder responses to the lack of gender diversity among the board and firm responses to such activism. Furthermore, the authors add to the understanding of expectation violations with regard to gender diversity within firm boards. Finally, the authors find that women in other leadership positions insulate the firm from such shareholder activism – an important boundary condition of the findings.

Does national ethical judgement matter for earnings management?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dante Baiardo Cavalcante Viana Jr ◽  
Isabel Lourenço ◽  
Ervin Lynn Black
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Ethical Judgement ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Country Level

Purpose This study aims to analyse the association between country-level ethical judgement and earnings management and the role that firm-level enforcement and the quality of accounting standards play in this association. Design/methodology/approach The analyses are based on a sample of 45,889 firm-year observations from 34 countries between 1998 and 2018. Based on the World Values Survey questionnaire, this study constructs a comprehensive index of the ethical judgement of each country. Findings The empirical findings suggest that firms from countries where ethically suspect behaviours are less acceptable are associated with lower levels of accruals-based earnings management and that firm-level enforcement and the quality of accounting standards dampen such association. Practical implications The results contribute to the debate about ethical issues in the accounting profession in an international context, adding to the sustainable development debate given that the creation of long-term value for firms is intrinsically related to business ethics and good quality financial reporting. Social implications When it is known that countries’ ethically-related judgements reduce the level of earnings management, actions can be taken by regulators and other stakeholders to build fairer societies with a more sustainable view, given that the quality of the financial reporting is inextricably linked to how income and wealth are distributed. Originality/value While previous literature documents that ethical judgement at both the individual and organizational levels matter as key determinants of the way managers are involved with unethical accounting practices, this study investigates the role of ethical judgement at the country level in explaining earnings management.

A question of style

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 620-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Maskaly ◽  
Wesley Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supervisory Styles ◽  
Police Supervisors ◽  
Organizational Differences ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to attempt to replicate Engel’s (2001) styles of supervision using data from a new sample and including additional independent variables. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from a sample of police supervisors (N=369) at three distinct locations throughout the USA. Bivariate analyses and ordinary least squares regression were used to analyze the data. Findings The authors find three of Engel’s four supervisory styles and find largely consistent results, with the exception of gender. Further, the authors find strong evidence for persistent agency-level effects. Originality/value Supervisory styles are important to consider, especially when trying to effectively control the behavior of subordinates. While this study cannot address the impact of organizational differences, the consistent agency-level effects suggest this as something that should be considered again in future research.

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