Corporate governance and value relevance of accounting information

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-262
Author(s):  
Hesham I. Almujamed ◽  
Mishari M. Alfraih

Purpose This paper aims to explore how the characteristics of the board of directors (BoD) shape earnings and book value information available to market participants. Design/methodology/approach The authors investigated the impact of board size, presence of non-executives and role duality as proxies of effective corporate governance on the value relevance of financial reporting for 178 firms on the Kuwait stock exchange in 2013. Regression analysis based on Ohlson’s (1995) valuation model was used to test hypotheses. Findings The authors found that board size was significantly associated with company value and that Kuwaiti firms with large boards increased the value-relevance of earnings and book value. The influence of role duality was positive although not significant. The presence of non-executives on the board had a negative correlation with market value (not significant). Research limitations/implications These findings deliver empirical support for the prediction that the characteristics of the BoD improve the value relevance of financial reporting. Limitations such as small sample size and one-year duration of the study did not negate the basic findings, however. Future studies will use larger samples, longer duration and additional board characteristics. Practical implications This study provides empirical support for the hypothesis that board size influences market valuation. This study may benefit managers, investors and other decision-makers. Originality/value This study delivers empirical evidence on the impact of board characteristics on the value relevance of accounting information. It will be useful for regulators and market participants monitoring the influence of board characteristics on the value relevance of accounting information.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan George Shan ◽  
Indrit Troshani

PurposeThe study improves current understanding concerning the implications of digital corporate reporting technology on the informativeness of accounting information.Design/methodology/approachIt looks at how XBRL, an exemplar digital corporate financial reporting technology, affects value relevance of accounting information in the US and Japan, two key jurisdictions where XBRL has been mandated. We operationalise stock price and return value relevance models to assess and compare predicted associations between selected accounting measures and market value of equity in these countries.FindingsWe predict that the selected accounting measures are more value relevant after XBRL was mandated than before. We find evidence to support our prediction for the US sample. We also predict and find that the contribution of XBRL to the value relevance of the selected accounting measures is greater in the US than in Japan. Overall, our evidence provides support that digital corporate reporting technology enhances relevance and reliability of accounting measures.Originality/valueThe study appears to be the first to have examined the impact of XBRL on value relevance whilst comparing between two major jurisdictions. The study extends emerging but limited literature concerning the benefits of digital corporate financial reporting for enhancing the communication between firms and users of financial information. The findings are useful to both users of financial information and standard setters.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Ali A. Alnodel

This paper aims to investigate whether the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) increases the value relevance of accounting information for insurance firms listed in the Saudi stock market. The study employs the Ohlson model (1995) and the Easton–Harris valuation model (1991) in order to examine the association among stock market value and book value and earnings per share. The data was collected for 21 insurance companies listed in the Saudi stock market during the period 2007–2014, which covered pre- / post-IFRS periods. The results reveal that the book value of equity becomes less value relevant whereas earnings are more value relevant. Further analysis suggests that the increase in the value relevance of accounting information is positively influenced by companies’ attributes, especially profitability and size rather than IFRS adoption. These results highlight the importance of institutional factors in the determination of the value relevance of accounting information in emerging stock markets. These results also expand IFRS research through a consideration of the insurance industry, which is more vulnerable to the accounting evaluation model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bismark Badu ◽  
Kingsley Opoku Appiah

Purpose This paper aims to examine the value relevance of accounting information from an emerging country perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts Ohlson (1995) Price model to examine the extent to which accounting information explain variation in stock prices of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Findings The study reveals that earnings and book value of equity exhibit a positive and significant relationship in stock prices. Earnings explain higher variation in stock market values on the Ghana Stock Exchange compared to book value of equity. The study however finds that despite the introduction of the International Financial Reporting Standards in Ghana, the value relevance of book value and earnings have declined significantly over the period 2005-2014. Research limitations/implications A key implication is that regulators of capital markets, standards setters and accounting practitioners need to consistently improve upon the quality of financial reporting disclosures which will boost the confidence of users in their reliance on financial statements as the basis for choosing among alternative use of scarce resources. The authors adopted only the price model in testing the hypotheses. However, to provide comprehensive understanding of value relevance of accounting information, future studies can combine both the price and the return models. Originality/value The authors extend prior literature in the Ghanaian context with recent data. Finally, the study adds to the efficient market hypothesis by showing how share prices reflect accounting information produced by Ghanaian firms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-111
Author(s):  
Waqas Bin Khidmat ◽  
Man Wang ◽  
Sadia Awan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the value relevance of Research and development (R&D) and free cash flow (FCF) in an efficient investment setup. Most importantly, this paper examines whether the value relevance of R&D and FCF is associated with life cycle stages. Furthermore, this paper reports whether the market response to R&D and FCF is different in competitive market as compared to the concentrated market. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on the Ohlson (1995) model for the determination of value relevance of earnings and book value. Capitalized R&D and FCF data comprising of the Chinese A-listed firms from the year 2008 to 2016 are selected for this study. Following Anthony and Ramesh (1992), the authors divided the firm life cycle into different stages. HHI index is used to measure the product market competition. Findings The main result shows that R&D and FCF are value relevant in Chinese A-listed firms. The impact of R&D and FCF on the value relevance of earnings and book value is also positive and significant. The findings of the effect of R&D and FCF on the value relevance of accounting information signify that the information content (R2=0.46) of the mature stage is higher than that of the growth and stagnant stage. The explanatory power measured by R2 value for competitive industries (0.47) is much higher than the concentrated industries (0.33). Research limitations/implications Despite taking into account all the possible available variables, there are few limitations of the study. This study only studies the effect of EPS, BPS, R&D and FCF on the value relevance of accounting information. Other determinant such as size, growth, leverage and firm age is ignored. Since the R&D expenditure is discretionary, therefore the findings cannot be generalized to all the sectors. A sector wise comparative study can be done in future, to understand the differences in the information contents of R&D and FCF. Also, the tax effect of R&D is ignored in this study. For future call, the value relevance of tax effect on R&D can be explored. Practical implications The investors can now determine the present value of all the future cash flows of investing activities. The results of the study are significant for the Chinese investors who should incorporate the R&D and FCF along with investment efficiency. The investors should keep in mind the life cycle stage while investing in a certain stock. The competitive markets have more information content than the concentrated markets. The corporate managers can benefit from this study while issuing new shares. The market responds positively to the stock having investment efficient R&D and FCF investment. For the policy implication perspective, the security market regulator should devise the effective pro-effective product market regulations. Originality/value The contribution of this study is manifold. First, according to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that incorporates investment efficiency with R&D and FCF and explores its effect on the value relevance of accounting information. Second, the impact of R&D on the value relevance is studied by numerous researchers (Lev and Sougiannis, 1996; Han and Manry, 2004). Similarly, FCF-agency cost effect has also been investigated by (Rahman and Mohd-Saleh, 2008; Chen et al., 2012) but the value relevance of R&D and FCF during different life cycle stages still needs to be answered. Finally, this study also tries to answers the question if the market response to R&D and FCF is different in a competitive market as compared to the concentrated market.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anubha Srivastava ◽  
Harjum Muharam

Purpose The authors aim to examine the association between earnings and book values with stock prices in India during the IFRS convergence period because, in India, the literature is yet to investigate more about IFRS convergence and its impact on the financial reporting environment. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the influence of IFRS conversion on the value relevance of accounting information throughout the IFRS conversion period. Design/methodology/approach The current paper endeavors to investigate the earnings and book values affiliation with stock prices in India during the IFRS convergence period by employing a price valuation model (Ohlson’s Model). The study assembled a total of 3,440 firm-year observations from the National Stock Exchange in India over five years, which signifies the IFRS conversion period (2015–2019). Findings The research findings displayed that accounting information such as earnings, book value has value relevance throughout the IFRS enforcement period; however, the value relevance has been increasing for earnings and showing a descending association for book value. The significant explanatory power of earnings reveals that market participants give more weightage to earnings than book values. Overall, the findings of the study will facilitate improved decision making for both, capital market participants and regulators, by highlighting the key areas for improvement in the Indian capital market. Research limitations/implications This study also extends a discussion on the subject in those economies where regulations are weak and the market is imperfect with asymmetrical information. Practical implications The research outcome provides for empirical shreds of evidence regarding the value relevance of accounting information during IFRS enforcement in India, where IFRS is a recent emergence. Social implications This paper examines the value relevance of accounting information during IFRS convergence period in India which will felicitate improved decision making for both, market regulators and investors. Originality/value This research is the first factual documentation regarding value relevance of earnings and book value during the IFRS enforcement process in India with the most recent data and contributes to the limited study conducted in developing nations like India.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-342
Author(s):  
Mohamed Omran ◽  
Yasean A. Tahat

Purpose Drawing upon agency theory, this study aims to assess the value relevance (VR) of accounting information released by non-financial firms listed on the Kuwait stock exchange for the period of 2015-2018. Also, the influence of institutional ownership level and other explanatory variables, namely, book value per share, earnings per share, growth in assets and changes in financial leverage on share prices is examined. Design/methodology/approach To test the hypotheses, the Ohlson (1995) model is extended. This study uses panel data analysis and applies appropriate statistical techniques to measure empirical relationships. Findings The results show that the VR of accounting information released by the Kuwaiti non-financial listed firms varies over the period of 2015-2018. Book value and earnings have significant and positive effects on share prices. In recent years, the VR of book value information has been growing, while that of earnings information has been declining. Institutional ownership level has a significant and positive influence on the VR of accounting information released by the Kuwaiti non-financial listed firms. The findings confirm a positive power, signalling growth in assets regarding the share prices. However, no significant relationship between changes in financial leverage and share prices is found. Practical implications The findings of the study provide evidence of the linkage between VR and institutional ownership level, which promotes the understanding of the influence of institutional investors on a firm’s market value. Empirical evidence from Kuwait will have international implications and can serve as a guide for accounting researchers studying other emerging markets. Capital market regulators can provide guidelines in the form of information characteristics and elements of financial statements that need improvement. Finally, the findings assist non-financial listed firms to enhance the quality of accounting information by identifying the strengths and weaknesses in their financial reports. Originality/value This study extends the previous literature by investigating a relatively new set of data in more depth than that has been examined by prior research, which focusses on the relationship between accounting information and the firm’s market value.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doaa El-Diftar ◽  
Tarek Elkalla

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the value relevance of accounting information in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) region with an emphasis on the potential impact of IFRS adoption. This paper aims to not only examine the value relevance of accounting information in the MENA region but also draw comparisons between Gulf countries (GCC) and non-GCC country firms to determine whether there are distinct differences across the two regions. Design/methodology/approach To investigate the value relevance of accounting information in the MENA region, two pooled regression models are used based on the Ohlson (1995) model. The first regression model is conducted for the GCC and non-GCC regions separately. A second regression model is conducted using a pooled sample of the MENA region collectively with dummy and interaction variables to further explore the potential differences between the two regions in terms of the value relevance of accounting information. Findings The empirical results show that the measures of accounting information have a highly significant positive relationship with the market value per share for firms in the MENA region, thereby indicating that accounting information in the MENA region is value relevant. Although book value per share and earnings per share are significant determinants of value relevance in both GCC and non-GCC country firms, operating cash flows per share is only a significant determinant of value relevance in non-GCC country firms. The research findings of the study also show a significant negative impact of IFRS adoption on the value relevance of accounting information in the MENA region. Practical implications This research paper provides important insights for investors and regulators by providing evidence that accounting information is value relevant in the MENA region, and that IFRS adoption does not necessarily lead to a greater degree of value relevance. In fact, investors and regulators should be aware that the adoption of IFRS in MENA country firms results in diminished value relevance of accounting information. This finding is of particular significance to policymakers attempting to improve accounting disclosure. Originality/value The paper expands the value relevance of accounting information literature in the context of developing economies, in general, and the MENA region, in particular. There is a paucity of research into the value relevance of accounting information for MENA country firms, particularly in the case of the impact of IFRS adoption. Thus, this paper provides an important contribution in terms of expanding the value relevance literature in relation to IFRS adoption in the MENA region.


2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 575-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mishari M. Alfraih

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of audit quality on the value relevance of earnings and book value. Because joint audit is mandated for all Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed firms, it is hypothesized that the higher the quality of the audit team (as measured by the number of Big 4 audit firms in the joint audit team), the higher the value relevance of earnings and book values for equity valuation. Design/methodology/approach Consistent with prior research, the value relevance of earnings and book value is measured by the adjusted R2 derived from the Ohlson’s 1995 regression model. The number of Big 4 audit firms represented on the firm’s audit team is used as a proxy for audit quality. Three tiers of audit quality exist, namely, two non-Big 4 audit firms, one Big 4 and one non-Big 4 audit firms or two Big 4 audit firms. To address this paper’s objective, the association between audit quality and the value relevance of earnings and book value were examined using four approaches. The final sample consists of 1,836 firm-year observations and covers fiscal years from a 12-year period (2002-2013). Findings Taken together, the four approaches used collectively provide empirical evidence that audit quality positively and significantly affects the value relevance of accounting measures to market participants. Importantly, the results reveal significant variations in the value relevance of earnings and book value jointly across the three possible auditor combinations. Research limitations/implications Although using auditor size as a proxy for audit quality is well established in the auditing literature, a limitation of that proxy is that it measures audit quality dichotomously, which implicitly assumes a homogeneous level of audit quality within each group. Practical implications The findings show the importance of high-quality and rigorous external audits in improving the value relevance of accounting information. Originality/value This study contributes to the extent literature on audit quality by exploring the role of audit quality in a unique institutional setting that imposes mandatory joint audits. Although prior studies have investigated the effect of joint audit pair choice on earnings management and audit fee premium, this study is the first to investigate the effect of joint audit pair choice on the value relevance of accounting information.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mishari M. Alfraih

Purpose Drawing on market efficiency theory and studies on intellectual capital (IC) disclosure, this study aims to examine if IC information provided in the corporate annual reports of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) listed companies in 2013 is value-relevant. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is divided into two parts. First, the level of intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) of KSE-listed companies is examined using the content analysis method. Second, the value relevance of financial reporting is examined empirically using Ohlson’s (1995) valuation model. Findings The results reveal that ICD is positively and significantly associated with market value, suggesting that greater ICD is valued by KSE market participants, who incorporate it into their valuation models. Practical implications Given the importance of ICD in enhancing equity valuation, a practical implication of this study is to make managers aware of its positive and significant effect on equity valuation, which may encourage companies to increase their level of disclosure. Originality/value This is the first study of the association between the level of ICD and the value relevance of financial reporting for market participants in Kuwait. It therefore extends and confirms the prior literature by broadening its scope to include frontier markets. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence in support of recent calls from regulators and professional bodies for information that supplements and complements traditional financial reporting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-206
Author(s):  
Mwila Mulenga ◽  
Meena Bhatia

For accounting information to be useful for decision making it is essential that it is relevant for decision-making and should have a significant relation with stock prices or stock returns. Value relevance research aims to explain the impact of accounting information on stock prices or stock returns. This study examines the value relevance of earnings and book values on listed Indian pharmaceutical companies’ stock prices by using the Ohlson price model. The study gathered a series of panel data from 2006 to 2015 from the Nifty Pharma index. Ordinary least square and panel regression estimation were done using EViews. The findings provide sufficient evidence of those earnings per share (EPS) and book value per share (BVPS) jointly and individually for the Nifty Pharma index sample played an essential role in influencing stock prices. However, there is an insignificant decline in the combined value relevance of EPS and BVPS. The findings reveal that the EPS and BVPS played an important role in influencing stock prices. However, explanatory powers of EPS and BVPS in all years are significantly lower than that of developed countries. Overall findings show mixed results on the considerable influence of firm size on the value relevance of accounting information. This study’s findings have implications for analysts, investors, and other market participants; they should use EPS and BVPS in the equity valuation of pharmaceutical companies for better allocation of resources in capital markets.


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