The relevance of financial and economic informational environment: evidence from South Asian markets

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman Arshad ◽  
Fahad Najeeb Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ishfaq ◽  
Muhammad Nadir Shabbir ◽  
Syed Mehmood Raza Shah
Keyword(s):  
Stock Returns ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Stock Return ◽  
Estimation Error ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Momentum Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Informational Environment

PurposeThis study aims to explore the firm's specific, opacity and economy-specific variables to explain the variation in South Asian market returns and indicate that how the difference in adoption of accounting standards refers to the effect of the movement in stock returns.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the scope of the study, factor analysis, fixed effect, Driscoll and Kraay standard errors (DKSE) and Panel Corrected standard error (PCSE) models have been inducted to determine the influence of firm-specific, opacity and economy-specific variables on stock returns. The sample of study comprises 1,885 firms from five countries located in the South Asia region with the period 2005–2018. To ensure the reliability of data, firm-specific data have been collected from DataStream International, while an international country risk guide was used to compile the data for economy-specific variables.FindingsThis study concluded that firm-specific variables showed a consistent and significant association with stock return except for beta, accrual and momentum while earning aggressiveness was the only factor in opacity measure to capture the variation in stock return. The implementation of international accounting standards seemed to be significant and proves to be helpful to enhance the quality of accounting information.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study comprised the estimation error by avoiding the firm's observations with negative equity in case of earning opacity and majority (more than 50%) of the observation belongs to a single market as India out of final sample which leads to having biasedness in findings.Practical implicationsThis study helps the investors to consider the firms with smaller market capitalization and lower book to market ratio and avoid the momentum strategy under firm specific factors. Moreover, earning aggressiveness under opacity domain capture the variation in stock return and must be considered while investing funds.Originality/valueThe influence of adoption of international accounting standards along with firm and economy specific variable in South Asian Equity Markets return was the major contribution. Moreover, the inclusion of DKSE and PCSE models to examine the relevance of the financial and economic informational environment was also considered as a part of major contribution of this study.

Impact assessment of contemporary international and national accounting standards adoption: evidence from Greek hotels

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Iason Koufodontis ◽  
Stella Zounta ◽  
Maria Papagiouvanni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
Property Management ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Macroeconomic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mandatory Adoption

PurposeThis paper aims to offer new insights on how the adoption of contemporary international accounting standards can affect the financial performance of a hotel. It provides significant input for strategic decision making in property management, especially in countries where hotels properties are given a choice between different accounting standards.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 3-, 4- and 5- star hotels in Greece, through primary research with questionnaires, filled by hotel financial managers. Greece was selected because hotels can choose between national and international accounting standards; therefore, the research could focus on actual factors beyond mandatory adoption.FindingsMicroeconomic factors such as category or legal form of the hotel in combination with other factors can affect the perceived benefits of the selected accounting standards. Macroeconomic factors such as the overall tourism development of the destination also affect the perceived impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was targeted at hotel executives with knowledge and participation in decision making regarding accounting standards. This requirement limited the sample since all hotels do not have a financial manager position.Practical implicationsThe new knowledge can be utilized in property management as an element of hospitality strategic planning for improved assessment of anticipated effects resulting from the adoption of specific accounting standards.Originality/valueThe research fills a gap in existing knowledge by introducing elements not previously examined; additionally, it expands previous knowledge from other sectors to hospitality and tourism, while verifying or rejecting past findings.

An investigation of the level of compliance with international accounting standards (IAS 1) by listed firms in Bahrain Bourse

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatema Ebrahim Alrawahi ◽  
Adel Mohammed Sarea
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Industry Type ◽  
Regulatory Bodies

Purpose This study aims to investigate the association between seven firm-specific characteristics and the level of mandatory compliance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1 by firms listed on Bahrain Bourse. Design/methodology/approach A disclosure index is used to measure the extent of compliance with IAS 1. Each of the 36 sampled firms’ annual reports were examined against the index for the financial year ending December 31, 2013. Findings The results reveal an overall compliance of 83 per cent. Regression results report that only audit firm size, profitability and industry type have a positive and significant association with IAS 1 disclosure requirements. Practical implications This study should be particularly relevant to regulatory bodies in Bahrain for strategizing and encouraging compliance with IAS 1 by listed firms. Originality/value Additionally, the study contributes to financial reporting literature relating to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, mainly Bahrain. Bahrain is a financial hub, and it is interesting to examine how it presents its financial statements to investors and the degree of its compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards since its adoption in 2007.

Adoption of international accounting standards and performance of emerging capital markets

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Mhedhbi ◽  
Daniel Zeghal
Keyword(s):  
Capital Markets ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Emerging Capital Markets ◽  
International Investors ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the association between the adoption of international accounting standards (IAS/IFRS) and the performance of emerging capital markets. Design/methodology/approach Data related to 31 developing countries with capital markets were used. The authors performed univariate analyses (means comparison before and after the use of IAS/IFRS), as well as multivariate analyses (estimation of models of panel data), to test the hypothetical relations set up in the paper. Findings The results suggest that the performance of emerging capital markets is significantly and positively associated with IAS/IFRS use. They are consistent with several empirical investigations which highlighted the relevance of financial information under IAS/IFRS in emerging capital markets. Practical implications Several organizations and decision-makers including the IASB, governments, capital markets regulators and international investors should find the policy implications of this paper very meaningful. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the relationship between the use of IAS/IFRS and the performance of emerging capital markets based on a group of countries has not yet been explored.

scholarly journals The impact of IFRS 7 on the significance of financial instruments disclosure

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasean A. Tahat ◽  
Theresa Dunne ◽  
Suzanne Fifield ◽  
David M. Power
Keyword(s):  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Instruments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ifrs 7 ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The main aim of this paper is to investigate Financial Instruments (FIs) disclosures provided by Jordanian listed companies under International Financial Reporting Standard No. 7 (IFRS 7) as compared to those supplied under International Accounting Standards (IAS) 30/32. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 82 Jordanian listed companies is used in this monograph. A disclosure index checklist was constructed to measure FI information provided by the sample companies. Findings The study finds that a larger number of Jordanian listed companies provided a greater level of FI-related information after IFRS 7 was implemented. Specifically, the sample firms provided 47 per cent of the disclosure index items after implementing IFRS 7 as compared to 30 per cent under IAS 30/32. In addition, the industrial analysis of FI disclosure revealed that the highest level of disclosure was provided by firms in the banking sector over the two periods; these companies disclosed 44 per cent of FI-related items pre-IFRS 7 and 69 per cent of items post-IFRS 7. Moreover, the industrial analysis of FI disclosure pre-and post-implementation of IFRS 7 revealed specific aspects of usefulness. In particular, some components of FI disclosure (Balance Sheet and Fair Value) showed no significant differences within and across sectors post the implementation of IFRS 7, suggesting that the new standard may have enhanced the comparability of such information. Research limitations/implications The results provide timely findings to Jordanian authorities who may be trying to evaluate the current reforms adopted; stringent enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure full compliance with accounting standards. However, the present investigation was conducted on a single nation (Jordan); the circumstances in Jordan gave rise to the importance of the current study. A cross-country comparative analysis is needed in order to examine the application of IFRS 7 in a developing country context. Practical implications The results of the current study have a number of implications for policymakers. First, they provide a great deal of insight for the International Accounting Standards Board about the relevance of its standards to countries outside the Western context. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in Jordan who are concerned about the implications of mandatory disclosures. Originality/value The analysis of FI disclosure in developing countries in general, and in Jordan in particular has been overlooked by the extant literature and therefore this study is the first of its kind to examine this research issue for a sample of Jordanian firms.

scholarly journals The impact of conservatism and secrecy on the IFRS interpretation: the case of Tunisia and Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihen Eljammi Ayadi ◽  
Salma Damak ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
North African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Judgments ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cultural Effect

Purpose The effect of culture, through the accounting values of conservatism and secrecy, on accounting judgments is an area of research extensively studied in developed countries. However, little research has focused on this issue in developing countries, specifically Arab countries. Thus, this study aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of the combined effect of the culture/accounting dimensions on the interpretation of the probability expressions used in the international accounting standards/international financial reporting standards (IFRSs) in two North African/Arab countries: Tunisia and Egypt. Design/methodology/approach In the first place, this study determines Hofstede’s cultural index scores for Tunisia, ignored in his original model and updates those related to Egypt, which provides a more relevant understanding of the cultural effect. Then, the study relies on the Hofstede/Gray cultural accounting model to examine the extent to which the accounting values of conservatism and secrecy may affect the recognition of the increase and the decrease of income and the disclosure of this information in the financial statements by postgraduate accounting student in both countries. Findings The results provide evidence of the generalizability of Gray’s conservatism hypothesis in the North African/Arab countries (i.e. Tunisia and Egypt), at least in the context of income recognition. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that culture, through its influence on the accounting value of secrecy, affects the interpretation of probability expressions used in the IFRSs to establish disclosures. Research limitations/implications This study calls for more attention from the standard setters to provide further guidance related to the consistent and accurate numerical value that needs to be assigned to the probability expressions to reduce the ambiguity related to their interpretation. The international accounting standards board (IASB) should pay greater attention to the use of vague probability expressions in developing the IFRSs to promote the true comparability of financial reporting worldwide. Like with any research, this study implies certain limitations specifically related to the sample selection, a sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Thus, future research may rely on a larger sample combining and cover other cultural areas. Practical implications The results of this study may give insights into the practical issues faced by the accounting practitioners and which are related to the interpretation and the application of the IFRS including probability expressions. This may trigger their attention toward this issue to reduce the occurrence of these expressions in the revised and newly released standards to guarantee homogeneous financial reporting practices across countries and enhance the IASB’s objective of international accounting harmonization. Originality/value This study might be the first one that investigates the issue of the IFRS interpretation in two North African and Arab countries: Tunisia and Egypt. It also provides an original investigation of the cultural effect on accounting judgments based on the actualized Hofstede’s cultural indexes, especially for Tunisia which is ignored in the original country classification.

Determinants of accounting policy choices under international accounting standards

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Jahangir Ali ◽  
Kamran Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Policy Choices ◽  
Investment Opportunity Set ◽  
Accounting Policy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of accounting policy choices under International Accounting Standards (IASs) of listed firms in South Asia. Design/methodology/approach We selected three IASs-based accounting policy choices from 369 listed companies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for the financial year 2007-2008. Findings Our results show that firm size, investment opportunity set, leverage and ownership by the general public are significant determinants of accounting policy choice in South Asian countries. However, we do not find a significant relationship between firms’ accounting policy choices and profitability, assets-in-place and taxes. Practical implications Our results suggest that as some flexibility exists in IASB’s accounting standards, this may allow managers to use income-increasing/decreasing methods. There is scope for regulators and standards setters to reduce the alternative methods which are likely improve firms’ reporting quality. Originality/value Our study contributes to the understanding as to what determines managers’ choice of a particular accounting method allowed in IAS.

International accounting standards in French companies in the 1990s: an institutionalization contested by US GAAP

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 2027-2051
Author(s):  
Philippe Touron ◽  
Peter Daly
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Organizational Response ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Institutional Complexity ◽  
Organizational Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conflicting Demands ◽  
Us Gaap

PurposeThe paper analyzes four cases of IAS adoption (Aérospatiale in 1989; Usinor in 1991; Coflexip in 1993; and Péchiney in 1995) to better understand the instructional logics behind the use of alternative or additional standards by French companies in the early 1990s.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs multiple case studies to explain how and why the heterogeneity of adoption (IAS versus US GAAP) is a response to institutional complexity.FindingsThis research shows that French companies adopted IAS as long as they were not required to use US GAAP by their financial backers. The results highlight how the companies combine logics to respond to the complexification of the field. The authors outline how endorsement of logics by outside carriers (auditors, financial analysts, stock exchange commissions) and framing of logics by managers evolve in time and space within this complexification process.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the institutional complexity literature in that it focuses on distinct organizational responses to multiple institutional logics. More precisely, the choice of standards in primary consolidated accounts are viewed as an organizational response to compatible and conflicting demands from several levels: home countries, transnational areas and host countries with the aim of raising funds in the US.Originality/valueThis research makes a distinct link between institutional complexity and international accounting standards and US GAAP.

Inflection points in the development of IAS 38

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-75
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Maria Ienciu ◽  
Dumitru Matiş
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Graphical Analysis ◽  
Original Study ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Inflection Points ◽  
Accounting Rules

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the main inflexion points recorded into development of international accounting standards, case of IAS 38. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a conceptual discussion and graphical analysis. The main research method consisted of identifying reference moments, known as inflection points, in the evolution of accounting rules issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and formulating a general framework of testing inflection points’ theory in the development of IAS 38. Findings – The paper highlights the reference moments recorded in the evolution of IAS 38 through the creation of inflexion points’ theory in the field of accounting regulations. Originality/value – According to the authors’ knowledge, this is an original study whose results have implications into accounting regulations field, as in this area, such a theory has not been applied.

Accounting development in a changing environment: the case of Tunisia

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 756-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Ben Slama ◽  
Mohamed Faker Klibi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
International Standards ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Public Interests ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss accounting development in Tunisia, which is a developing North African country little known in the international accounting literature. Design/methodology/approach Methodologically, this paper is based on an exploratory approach. It uses the descriptive tradition of research by collecting and analyzing numerical and narrative data to identify and describe environmental factors that favor or hamper accounting development in Tunisia. Findings This paper indicates that Tunisian companies have been applying the Enterprise Accounting System (EAS) since 1996. This system, while keeping with the logic of a chart of accounts, represents a first attempt to harmonize with international accounting standards. Accounting harmonization in Tunisia is meant to support the strategy, launched in the early 1990s, to integrate the country into the globalization process. Accordingly, the EAS has helped to achieve macroeconomic benefits (public interests). However, it does not lead to the desired level of financial transparency (private interests), especially that of large companies. Currently, Tunisian Accounting Standards neither reflect the rapid evolution of business activity nor changes in international accounting standards. This unachieved harmonization has led some listed companies to comply with some International Financial Reporting Standards which are not included in the EAS. Research limitations/implications The unachieved harmonization in Tunisia is mainly related to the political system, taxation factors, the legal system, the weak state of corporate governance and governmental control over standardization. Practical implications This paper provides insights into the problems of developing countries that harmonize with international standards to achieve public interests. These countries may encounter many difficulties in bringing their accounting standards up to date. These difficulties seem to be associated with environmental specificities. Accordingly, international standardization bodies and developing country regulators should take into account environmental factors which are determinant for the harmonization decision to succeed. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing literature on accounting development in developing countries. It implies that recent accounting development, as it is designed in Tunisia, is better suited to the needs of small businesses. Large companies would be compelled to complement local generally accepted accounting principles by standards they choose, voluntarily, among international standards.

The (in)coherence in accounting for goodwill

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-325
Author(s):  
Stefano Garzella ◽  
Salvatore Ferri ◽  
Raffaele Fiorentino ◽  
Francesco Paolone
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Business Combinations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Accounting ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Accounting Recognition ◽  
Accounting Approaches

Purpose In the process of harmonizing International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS), scholars and standard setters still need to overcome unresolved issues related to both goodwill duration and accounting recognition. This paper aims to compare the academic background on goodwill with current IAS. Specifically, the goal is to criticize existing practices and advance a revision of accounting for goodwill. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a review of the relevant literature on notions, theories and accounting approaches on goodwill and on an investigation of IAS/IFRS on accounting for goodwill. By critically integrating literature and practices, the authors provide implications for a revision of IAS. Findings The findings show the two main internally coherent theoretical approaches and the incoherence in current goodwill accounting standards. The paper contributes to the debate on accounting for goodwill by suggesting new conceptual arguments in relation to the controversies related to its accounting treatment. Practical implications The findings offer insights and guidelines that can help standard setters revise current accounting standards. Inter alia, standards setters should revisit issues related to goodwill evaluation and record limitations in future debates to find better solutions. Originality/value This study shows the incoherence of current accounting standards. Furthermore, the findings contradict the general opinion that, in current IAS, goodwill can be recognized only if acquired in business combinations and not if internally generated. Thereby, the authors suggest to shift the international accounting standards board focus from the preference between amortization and impairment to the coherence of goodwill accounting approaches.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document