Internet-Based Corporate Disclosure and Market Value: Evidence from Latin America

Abstract

Manuscript Type: Empirical. Research Question/Issue: We examine the relationship between an Internet-based corporate disclosure index and firm value, and evaluate the relatively understudied corporate use of the Internet by firms listed in the seven largest stock markets of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru). Research Findings/Insights: We find a positive and strong relation between our corporate governance disclosure index and the Tobin’s Q for firms in Latin America. More specifically, we find, after controlling for firms’ characteristics, industry and country of origin, that an increase in 1% in the Internet-Based Corporate Disclosure Index causes an increase of 0.1592% in the Tobin’s Q and an increase of 0.0119% in the firm’s ROA. This result is statistically and economically significant for our sample of Latin American firms. These findings are robust after considering the potential endogeneity of our regression variables and after performing a battery of other robustness checks. Theoretical/Academic Implications: The evidence shown here contributes to the mounting literature that suggest that firms can differentiate themselves by self-adopting better corporate governance practices and, more specifically, better financial and corporate disclosure measures using the Internet. That is, even in a weak investor protection setting, firms can enhance their market value by self-adopting good corporate disclosure practices. Practitioner/Policy Implications: The results presented in this paper are relevant not only for Latin America but also for other emerging markets and regions attempting to improve their corporate disclosure practices. These results suggest that national corporate governance systems should pay attention and guarantee a minimum of disclosure using the Internet.