Does environmental, social and governance performance influence intellectual capital disclosure tone in integrated reporting?

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Beretta ◽  
Chiara Demartini ◽  
Sara Trucco
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Incremental Information ◽  
Financial Disclosures ◽  
Disclosure Tone ◽  
Semantic Properties

Purpose The integrated reporting framework seeks to connect a firm’s financial and non-financial performance in a single report by displaying how different forms of capital contribute to the firm’s value creation. Drawing on impression management and incremental information approaches, the purpose of this paper is to examine how the content and semantic properties of intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) found in integrated reports is associated with firms’ performance. Design/methodology/approach All reports by European listed firms from 2011 to 2016 available via the integrated reporting emerging practice examples database are analysed. Content analysis is used to assesses the quality of ICDs, whereas a regression analysis tests the variation in semantic properties of ICDs according to firms’ performance. Findings ICDs in integrated reports are mainly discursive, with a backward looking orientation and a limited focus on human capital. On average, more than half of each ICD is conveyed in a positive tone. As the optimistic tone in firms’ ICDs increases, so too does their non-financial performance measured in terms of environmental, social and governance aspects. This finding supports the incremental information approach. Originality/value This paper contributes to the current literature on ICDs by introducing new evidence on firms’ motivations for non-financial disclosures in integrated reports. By taking a more comprehensive theoretical approach, namely, testing both impression management and incremental information hypotheses, this research extends on prior studies which tested similar relationships in integrated reports but focussed only on the impression management hypothesis.

Intellectual capital disclosure in integrated reporting: an impression management analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Melloni
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Integrated Reporting Council ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – Intellectual capital (IC) is fundamental to understanding how firms create value; however, current IC disclosure (ICD) has been described as inadequate due to the lack of an established IC framework and companies’ actual commitment to report IC information. The International Integrated Reporting Council aims to foster ICD by means of integrated reporting (IR); such a report should display how IC and other forms of capital (e.g. financial) contribute to value creation over time. Drawing on impression management (IM) studies, the purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of ICD offered in IR. Design/methodology/approach – A manual content analysis of all the reports available in the International Integrated Reporting Council web site is run considering both the content of ICD and specific linguistic attributes (evidence, time orientation and tone). In addition, the study tests the relationship between the positive ICD tone and specific characteristics that may incentive managers to manipulate their disclosure to determine whether firms use ICD to manage public perceptions of corporate behaviour. Findings – The results of the content analysis show that majority of ICD is focused on relational capital, with limited quantitative and forward-looking information. Additionally, compared to non-ICD, ICD is significantly more optimistic. Furthermore, the positive tone of ICD is significantly associated with declining performance, bigger size and higher level of intangibles supporting the use of ICD as an IM strategy. Originality/value – The research contributes to the literature offering evidence of the quality of the ICD offered in the IR and demonstrating that ICD offered in the IR is used by managers opportunistically to advance their image.

Impact of firm performance and corporate governance mechanisms on intellectual capital disclosures in CEO statements

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghassan H. Mardini ◽  
Fathia Elleuch Lahyani
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Three Components

PurposeUsing agency theory and impression management theory, this study examines the impact of financial performance (FP) and corporate governance (CG) mechanisms on the extent of intellectual capital disclosures (ICDs) and the three components within the CEO statement – human capital (HC), structural capital (SC) and relational capital (RC).Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a sample of non-financial SPF-120 French listed firms to capture the relevant variables; it collects data for 2010–2017, using a panel data technique to run the random effects regressions.FindingsThe study finds that FP, measured using both market (Tobin's q) and accounting (return on equity and return on assets) indicators, plays a vital role in the extent of ICDs and the three components in the CEO statement published by SPF-120 companies. This confirms its impact on the decision-making needs of stakeholders. Among the CG mechanisms, this study finds that cultural diversity and gender diversity affect some ICD components. Moreover, CEO characteristics such as age, education and role duality affect ICD, while institutional ownership drives the extent of such disclosures.Practical implicationsOur findings have comprehensive implications for managers of French listed firms, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, and stakeholders in general.Originality/valueThis study provides significant insights by investigating the impact of FP, CG and company characteristics on the extent of the ICDs published in CEO statements.

The relational side of intellectual capital: an empirical study on brand value evaluation and financial performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Laghi ◽  
Michele Di Marcantonio ◽  
Valentina Cillo ◽  
Niccolo Paoloni
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Brand Value ◽  
Relational Capital ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Accounting Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Corporate Brands ◽  
Us Gaap

PurposeThis study aims to validate a direct method to measure relational capital through the estimation of corporate brands. Considering the influence of relational capital management in leading performance and brand development, we consider brand value as a proxy for relational capital. The main research goal is to extend the previous literature on intellectual capital, financial performance and brand management by elaborating and testing an original approach for valuating corporate brands using regression analysis on multiples based on firm-specific accounting data and market information.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose two econometric models, for both listed and non-listed companies, which consider brand valuations made by primary consulting entities (Interbrand, Brand Finance, BrandZ, European Brand Institute) and multiples derived from accounting and market data of firms. Models were tested on a sample of nonfinancial firms for the period from 2006 to 2019, distinguishing between IAS/IFRS-based and US GAAP-based reporting standards.FindingsThe empirical results show that the identified set of market and accounting multiples proved to be significant information for estimating the value of brands within the IAS/IFRS framework, while a lower explanatory power was assessed for US GAAP firms. Furthermore, the empirical evidence confirm that the direct, relative approach based on multiples is more accurate for valuating listed firms than non-listed firms. Robustness analysis demonstrates that findings do not change significantly when the reference datasets and the main assumptions of the models are altered.Research limitations/implicationsThe statistical significance of the analysis is limited by the non-objective nature of brand value estimates. The use of additional sources for brand valuations might allow for the further assessment of the robustness of the relationships identified.Practical implicationsDue to their efficacy and ease of use, the proposed models represent valid practical tools for managers, investors, analysts and professional evaluators.Originality/valueThis work contributes to the existing literature through the identification of significant, stable relationships between brand values and the main economic, financial and asset characteristics of firms; the identification of those relationships would allow for the extension of the multiples approach also to the evaluation of brands.

Does female representation on corporate boards improve intellectual capital efficiency?

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 680-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nadeem ◽  
Muhammad Bilal Farooq ◽  
Ammad Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Female Representation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Capital Efficiency ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between female representation on corporate boards and intellectual capital (IC) efficiency – while prior studies focus on the relationship between gender diversity and firms’ financial performance. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on data from top 500 UK listed firms for 2007–2016 (3,279 firm-years), this study employs an adjusted-value-added intellectual coefficient as a measure of IC efficiency. Further, the two-step system-generalised method of moments has been applied to account for endogeneity issues. Findings The results reveal a significant positive relationship between female representation on boards and IC efficiency, including human capital, structural/innovation capital and financial capital efficiency. These results are robust to alternative proxies for the independent variable and difference-in-difference estimation. Practical implications The results posit that female representation on boards is associated with IC efficiency, which is vital for firms’ value creation and competitive advantage in the knowledge-economy era. The study also endorses current legislation to increase female representation on corporate boards. Originality/value This is among the limited studies to explore the role of female representation on boards in IC efficiency – while most prior studies relate IC efficiency to financial performance.

Corporate reporting of intellectual capital: evidence from the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical sector

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhash Abhayawansa ◽  
Mohammad Azim
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Semantic Properties

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the intellectual capital (IC) reporting practices of the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical industry, one of the most significant industries to the Bangladeshi economy. It investigates the extent and qualitative characteristics of IC disclosures made by listed pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – Data are gathered through a content analysis of the 2006 annual reports of 16 pharmaceutical companies quoted on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. The content analysis is performed by IC topic (i.e. categories and subcategories) and three semantic properties of IC disclosure: first, format (i.e. discursive, numerical but non-monetary, numerical-monetary and visual); second, news-tenor (i.e. positive, neutral and negative); and three, time-orientation (i.e. forward-looking, non-time-specific and past-oriented). Findings – Results suggest a clear awareness among the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies of the significance of IC in corporate value creation and a commitment to publicly communicating IC. Some evidence is found of the need to manage stakeholder relationships, and legitimacy and impression management motives underpinning the management's desire to disclose IC. Also, proprietary cost theory explains the variation in the disclosure of types of IC. The Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies did not adopt a consistent framework for IC reporting. A lack of consistency in reporting IC was also evident as the extent and subcategories of IC disclosures varied among companies. The findings indicate the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies may not have properly measured and managed their IC. Research limitations/implications – There are two main limitations specific to this study. First, it only provides a snapshot of IC disclosure practices of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies in 2006. Changes may have taken place since then that would have affected the IC-intensity and IC utilisation of these entities. Second, the study's sample is limited due to its focus on one industry. However, it is representative of the population as it includes more than two-thirds of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies. This limitation affects the ability to conduct statistically meaningful analyses for testing any hypotheses relating to IC disclosure. Originality/value – This is the first study on IC reporting practices of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies. Unlike most prior studies on IC disclosure practices, this study measures the quality of disclosures by analysing their semantic properties. The paper highlights the need for building organisational competencies in managing, measuring and reporting IC in Bangladesh.

The impact of intellectual capital on firm performance: a study of Indian firms listed in COSPI

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 935-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Smriti ◽  
Niladri Das
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of intellectual capital (IC) on financial performance (FP) for Indian companies listed on the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Overall Share Price Index (COSPI). Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses were developed according to theories and literature review. Secondary data were collected from Indian companies listed on the COSPI between 2001 and 2016, and the value-added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) of Pulic (2000) was used to measure IC and its components. A dynamic system generalized method of moments (SGMM) estimator was employed to identify the variables that significantly contribute to firm performance. Findings Indian listed firms appear to be performing well and efficiently utilizing their IC. Overall, human capital had a major impact on firm productivity during the study period. Furthermore, the empirical analysis showed that structural capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency were equally important contributors to firm’s sales growth and market value. The growing importance of the contribution of IC to value creation was consistently reflected in the FP of these Indian companies. Practical implications This study has robust theoretical grounds and employs a validated methodology. The present study extends knowledge of IC among academicians and managers and highlights its contribution to value creation. The findings may help stakeholders and policymakers in developing countries properly reallocate intellectual resources. Originality/value This study is the first study to evaluate IC and its relationship with traditional measures of firm performance among Indian listed firms using dynamic SGMM and VAIC models.

scholarly journals Does graphical reporting improve risk disclosure? Evidence from European banks

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Jones ◽  
Andrea Melis ◽  
Silvia Gaia ◽  
Simone Aresu
Keyword(s):  
Credit Risk ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Risk Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Incremental Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the voluntary disclosure of risk-related issues, with a focus on credit risk, in graphical reporting for listed banks in the major European economies. It aims to understand if banks portray credit risk-related information in graphs accurately and whether these graphs provide incremental, rather than replicative, information. It also investigates whether credit risk-related graphs provide a fair representation of risk performance or a more favourable impression than is warranted. Design/methodology/approach A graphical accuracy index was constructed. Incremental information was measured. A multi-level linear model investigated whether credit risk affects the quantity and quality of graphical credit risk disclosure. Findings Banks used credit risk graphs to provide incremental information. They were also selective, with riskier banks less likely to use risk graphs. Banks were accurate in their graphical reporting, particularly those with high levels of credit risk. These findings can be explained within an impression management perspective taking human cognitive biases into account. Preparers of risk graphs seem to prefer selective omission over obfuscation via inaccuracy. This probably reflects the fact that individuals, and by implication annual report’s users, generally judge the provision of inaccurate information more harshly than the omission of unfavourable information. Research limitations/implications This study provides theoretical insights by pointing out the limitations of a purely economics-based agency theory approach to impression management. Practical implications The study suggests annual reports’ readers need to be careful about subtle forms of impression management, such as those exploiting their cognitive bias. Regulatory and professional bodies should develop guidelines to ensure neutral and comparable graphical disclosure. Originality/value This study provides a substantive alternative to the predominant economic perspective on impression management in corporate reporting, by incorporating a psychological perspective taking human cognitive biases into account.

Drivers for voluntary intellectual capital reporting based on agency theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Goebel
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Management Report

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the drivers for voluntary intellectual capital (IC) reporting based on agency theory. This study responds to calls for critical investigations of IC reporting utilising Goebel’s (2015a) IC measuring approach to investigate the role of IC value and mispricing for IC reporting.Design/methodology/approachA mandatory management report offers a unique research setting in Germany. The content analysis results of 428 German management reports are used in a regression analysis with leverage, ownership diffusion, IC value and mispricing. Additionally, a propensity score matching approach examines the relationship between IC reporting and IC value.FindingsThe regression results show that companies use voluntary IC reporting to encounter mispricing. IC reporting is negatively associated with leverage, whereas ownership diffusion and IC value show no significant results. The propensity score matching approach is also not significant.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to strengthening and testing agency theory for IC reporting. As mispricing is identified to play an important role for IC reporting, IC research should account for mispricing.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest to reopen a discussion on the declared aims of the German management report and the international integrated reporting model to provide information on value creation, as IC value shows no link to IC reporting.Originality/valueThis study innovatively links IC reporting to IC value and mispricing to investigate drivers for voluntary IC reporting.

Intellectual capital in Ugandan service firms as mediator of board governance and firm performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Joseph M. Ntayi ◽  
Augustine Ahiauzu ◽  
Samuel K. Sejjaaka
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Board Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Firm Financial Performance ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of intellectual capital on the relationship between board governance and perceived firm financial performance. Design/methodology/approach – This study was cross-sectional. Analyses were by SPSS and Analysis of Moment Structure on a sample of 128 firms. Findings – The mediated model provides support for the hypothesis that intellectual capital mediates the relationship between board governance and perceived firm performance. while the direct relationship between board governance and firm financial performance without the mediation effect of intellectual capital was found to be significant, this relationship becomes insignificant when mediation of intellectual capital is allowed. Thus, the entire effect does not only go through the main hypothesised predictor variable (board governance) but majorly also, through intellectual capital. Accordingly, the connection between board governance and firm financial performance is very much weakened by the presence of intellectual capital in the model – confirming that the presence of intellectual capital significantly acts as a conduit in the association between board governance and firm financial performance. Overall, 36 per cent of the variance in perceived firm performance is explained. the error variance being 64 per cent of perceived firm performance itself. Research limitations/implications – The authors surveyed directors or managers of firms and although the influence of common methods variance was minimal, the non-existence of common methods bias could not be guaranteed. Although the constructs have been defined as precisely as possible by drawing upon relevant literature and theory, the measurements used may not perfectly represent all the dimensions. For example board governance concept (used here as a behavioural concept) is very much in its infancy just as intellectual capital is. Similarly the authors have employed perceived firm financial performance as proxy for firm financial performance. The implication is that the constructs used/developed can realistically only be proxies for an underlying latent phenomenon that itself is not fully measureable. Practical implications – In considering the behavioural constructs of the board, a new integrative framework for board effectiveness is much needed as a starting point, followed by examining intellectual capital in firms whose mediating effect should formally be accounted for in the board governance – financial performance equation. Originality/value – Results add to the conceptual improvement in board governance studies and lend considerable support for the behavioural perspective in the study of boards and their firm performance improvement potential. Using qualitative factors for intellectual capital to predict the perceived firm financial performance, this study offers a unique dimension in understanding the causes of poor financial performance. It is always a sign of a maturing discipline (like corporate governance) to examine the role of a third variable in the relationship so as to make meaningful conclusions.

It is not always bad news

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1319-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Anne McNally ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Reporting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to challenge the notion that non-financial reporting is mainly about impression management or is only a superficial response to the hegemonic challenges posed by the sustainability movement. It focuses on the most recent development in sustainability reporting (integrated reporting) as an example of how accounting for financial and non-financial information has the potential to expand the scope of accounting systems, promote meaningful changes to reporting processes and provide a broader perspective on value creation. Design/methodology/approach The research focuses on an African eco-tourism company which has its head office in South Africa. A case study method is used to highlight differences in the presentation of an integrated business model according to the case entity’s integrated reports and how individual preparers interpret the requirement to prepare those reports. Data are collected using detailed interviews with all staff members involved in the preparation process. These are complemented by a review of the minutes of the company’s sustainability workshops and integrated reports. Findings A decision by the case organisation to prepare an integrated report gives rise to different forms of resistance which limits the change potential of the integrated reporting initiative. Resistance does not, however, preclude reform. Even when individual preparers are critical of the changes to the corporate reporting environment, accounting for financial and non-financial information expands the scope of the conventional accounting system which facilitates broader management control and promotes a more integrated conception of “value”. Research limitations/implications Integrated reporting should not be dismissed as only an exercise in corporate reporting and disclosure; it has a transformative potential which, given time, can enable new ways of managing business processes and articulating value creation. Originality/value This study answers the calls for primary evidence on how the requirement or recommendation to prepare an integrated report is being interpreted and applied by individual preparers. The findings add to the limited body of interpretive research on the change potential of new reporting frameworks. In doing so, the research provides theoretical support for developing arguments which challenge the conventional position that integrated reporting is little more than an exercise in impression management.

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