Technological and innovation disclosure: determinants for Tunisian companies

Abstract

This study aims to identify determinants of voluntary disclosure about innovation and technology (I&T) by using a theoretical framework of the signal theory and the proprietary costs theory. The analyses are concerned with the Tunisian context where the conceptual framework motivates firms to communicate about their innovation efforts and their technological choices which are generally viewed as competitively sensitive and proprietary in nature. This paper incorporates a new I&T disclosure index to examine factors enhancing and against I&T disclosure. It applies a multiple regression analysis using panel data and content analysis of the annual reports of 18 Tunisian listed firms over the period 1997 to 2007. The findings indicate that companies with more significant growth potential and more uncertainty of their future earnings disclose less information on their innovation efforts and technological choices. Results indicate also that the level of I&T disclosures is reduced when entry barriers are relatively high.