International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption Research Articles

Testing the impact of environmental taxation and IFRS adoption on consumption-based carbon in European countries.

Several governance regulations have been adopted in European countries to promote environmental sustainability, such as environmental taxation and environmental disclosures in financial reports. In this context, this paper examines the linkage between environmental taxation, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and environmental sustainability in European countries from 1994 to 2018. Unlike earlier empirical studies, the present work is the first to assess the impact of environmental taxation and IFRS adoption on consumption-based carbon emissions. In order to yield valid and reliable outcomes, the modern econometric method that is vigorous to cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity was employed. Likewise, the study uses the novel method of moment quantile regressions (MMQR). The MMQR outcomes illustrated that environmental taxation significantly negatively affects consumption-based emissions in European countries, indicating that environmental taxation has a positive effect on the ecological sustainability. Besides, the findings show that IFRS negatively affects consumption-based emissions, while economic growth positively affects the level of consumption-based emissions. Therefore, European governments must use fiscal and financial policies to mitigate ecological pollution. Moreover, more environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure in European industries could also help promote environmental sustainability in European countries.

Does culture still matter post-IFRS?

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of culture on earnings management after changing to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Design/methodology/approach The study’s sample selection comprises all publicly listed firms in 25 countries between 2000 and 2017 from DataStream database with cultural dimensions ratings from Hofstede et al. (2010). The initial sample contained 2,451 firms. Findings This study provides evidence that the interaction between national culture and IFRS adoption remains influential in explaining differences in the magnitude of earnings management behavior across countries. Originality/value This study higlights how IFRS and the cultural values interact with each other and affect earnings quality. In particular, the authors provide evidence on the relationship between individualism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance and masculinity of national culture and earnings management and, primarily, find that national culture significantly influences the decisions of managers after adopting IFRS.

International trade, mandatory IFRS adoption and financial reporting quality

Purpose This study examines how bilateral international trade among mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopter countries moderates the relation between IFRS adoption and firms’ financial reporting quality. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data from 2007 to 2015 and focus on publicly listed firms from non-European Union countries that adopted IFRS on a mandatory basis. Findings The authors find that the interaction between mandatory IFRS adoption and a country’s bilateral trade with other countries using IFRS is negatively and significantly related to accruals-based earnings management, which is an inverse measure of financial reporting quality. This result is driven by firms in less developed countries. The improvement in accounting quality is for firms located in countries that both fully and partially adopt IFRS. The authors also find a significant and negative coefficient for the relation between real earnings management and the interaction between mandatory IFRS adoption and a country’s bilateral trade with other IFRS countries in the post-global financial crisis period. Originality/value Overall, the authors’ results are consistent with the notion that the mandatory adoption of IFRS creates a positive externality where firms improve their accounting quality because increased financial statement comparability means that foreign customers and suppliers can monitor the quality of earnings more easily.

THE MODERATING ROLE OF IFRS ADOPTION SPEED IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPITAL INFLOWS AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Purpose: This study investigates how the speed of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption condition the capital inflows and inclusive growth nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa. While existing literature primarily examined IFRS impacts at the firm level, this study filles a significant gap by focusing on the macroeconomic effects of IFRS adoption speed, particularly its role in enhancing the benefits of capital inflows such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), and Foreign Aid.   Methods: This study employs a dynamic panel data analysis using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to examine how the speed of IFRS adoption impacts capital inflows and fosters inclusive growth across Sub-Saharan African countries. The study leveraged a dataset spanning from 2005 to 2019, covering 48 countries in the region. By analysing the relationship between IFRS adoption speed, capital inflows, and inclusive growth, the study offers new insights into the macroeconomic benefits of adopting IFRS.   Findings: Findings suggest that speedy IFRS adoption significantly enhances the positive impact of capital inflows on inclusive growth, underlining the importance of swift and effective implementation of IFRS for equitable economic development.   Implications: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a macroeconomic perspective on IFRS adoption and highlighting the importance of financial reporting standards in achieving inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Originality: This study introduces a novel approach by examining how the speed of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption moderates the impact of capital inflows on inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bridging the gap in existing literature, it shifts the focus from firm-level effects of IFRS and direct impacts of capital inflows on economic growth to a nuanced exploration of how financial reporting standards' adoption speed can enhance a country's ability to utilize foreign investments for inclusive economic development. Unique in its regional focus, this research provides critical insights into the macroeconomic benefits of IFRS in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering valuable implications for policymakers and contributing significantly to the discourse on financial innovation, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable economic growth in emerging markets.

Does mandatory IFRS adoption improve risk disclosure quality? Evidence from the European insurance industry

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of mandatory international financial reporting standards (IFRS) adoption on the risk disclosure quality by listed European insurers. Design/methodology/approach The study used a content analysis of the annual reports and consolidated accounts of 13 insurance companies listed in the European market between 2002 and 2007 based on two regulatory frameworks, Solvency and IFRS. Findings The results showed a significant effect of the mandatory adoption of IFRS and a clear improvement in the quality of risk disclosure. Moreover, risk disclosure is positively associated with the size of the company. Research limitations/implications The authors can consider the relatively limited size of the sample as a limitation of this study. Moreover, the manual content analysis used to be considered subjective. Practical implications The findings of this study provide useful insights to professional and regulatory bodies about the consequences of IFRS adoption to enhance transparency and particularly risk disclosure. Originality/value The research contributes to the existing literature. First, the authors have shown that companies are improving in the quality of risk disclosure even before 2005. Second, the authors have shown that the year 2005 is distinguished by a marked improvement in disclosure trends, with companies aligning themselves with coercive and mimetic regulatory forces. Third, the authors highlight the significant effect of mandatory IFRS adoption even in highly regulated industries, such as the insurance industry.

Market concentration and financial statement comparability: what is the role of state ownership? Evidence from SYS GMM and fsQCA

Purpose This paper aims to explore the moderating role of state ownership variables on the relationship between market concentration (MC) and financial statement comparability (FSC) in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from the financial statements of 475 nonfinancial listed companies for the period from 2010 to 2019. This study uses both the system generalized method of moments and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to consider the correlation and causal–effect relationships of the variables in the model. Findings The results show that MC has a positive relationship with FSC, and MC tends to exert a stronger impact on FSC for firms with higher state ownership. In addition, this study suggests that some combinations help improve FSC. This study has important implications for investors, managers and especially state-owned organizations when market power becomes fierce. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the comparability of financial statements in the context of developing countries that have not fully adopted International Financial Reporting Standards. Furthermore, this study applies the fsQCA method to complement the linear regression method.

Corporate Governance and Related Party Transactions in Global Supply Chains

Problem definition: As related party transactions (RPTs) increase in global supply chains, understanding the impact of corporate governance on such transactions becomes crucial for businesses. RPTs often lead to operational diversion due to power disparities between parent and its subsidiaries. In this study, we explore how operational diversion in RPTs within multinational firms is affected by the roles of foreign subsidiaries and corporate governance mechanisms. Methodology/results: Using a unique data set on RPTs of Korean multinational firms from 2006 to 2013, we compare the performance of multinational firms engaging in RPTs with two types of foreign subsidiaries: vertical and horizontal. We conduct our empirical analysis based on the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Korea in 2011, which acts as a policy shock affecting corporate governance and deterring operational diversion. Our results show that the improvement in operational performance of a multinational firm following the IFRS adoption is more significant when the parent firm engages in transactions with vertical subsidiaries compared with horizontal ones. We further show that strong corporate governance mechanisms, such as internal governance, institutional ownership, and large shareholders, play a crucial role in restraining operational diversion in RPTs involving vertical subsidiaries. Managerial implications: The implications of our study extend to shareholders and auditors, highlighting the importance of prioritizing monitoring efforts concerning a parent firm’s RPTs with vertical subsidiaries, especially when corporate governance mechanisms are weak. In contrast, RPTs with horizontal subsidiaries are relatively robust against operational diversion, making them a natural deterrent to such malpractices. Funding: This work was supported by the Institute of Management Research at Seoul National University, the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Research Fund [2023], and the Research Fellowship Fund of the Sangnam Institute of Management, Yonsei University [2020-22-0007]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0372 .

The IFRS adoption, corporate tax avoidance and the moderating effect of family ownership

Purpose This paper aims to examine the influence of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on corporate tax avoidance (CTA). In addition, this study aims to explore whether family ownership moderates the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a sample of 1,856 firms from various countries around the world, covering the period between 2010 and 2022. To estimate the proposed econometric models, the authors applied both fixed and random effects regression methods. Findings The present findings show that IFRS adoption has a negative impact on CTA, as measured by the effective tax rate and book-tax differences. This negative impact is more pronounced in “common law” countries than in “civil law countries.” Additionally, the authors found that family ownership plays a moderating role by positively affecting the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA. Practical implications The findings have practical, regulatory and academic implications for fostering accountability and fairness in taxation. This study suggests that implementing IFRS reduces tax avoidance and emphasizes the need for firms to evaluate the implications of IFRS adoption on their tax-planning strategies. It highlights the importance of aligning financial reporting practices with international standards to enhance transparency and minimize tax avoidance opportunities. The differential impact of IFRS adoption between “common law” and “civil law” countries underscores the role of legal and regulatory frameworks. In addition, family ownership plays a significant role in shaping tax-planning strategies. From an academic perspective, this research provides a foundation for further exploration into the relationship between IFRS adoption and tax avoidance. Originality/value The existing literature has predominantly concentrated on examining the effect of IFRS adoption on CTA, and the empirical findings have been inconsistent. This study introduces a novel perspective by considering the moderating influence of family ownership in determining the impact of IFRS adoption on CTA.

Market Synchronicity Among African Markets: is IFRS Adoption an Augmentor or Inhibitor?

Abstract This paper investigates the dynamics of market synchronicity and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption in Africa. It seeks to determine whether or not IFRS is an augmentor or inhibitor of market synchronicity in Africa. This study is not only a foundational study that unfolds the dynamics of market synchronicity and IFRS adoption in Africa but also extends the scope of synchronicity from firm-level assessment to country-level market synchronicity. It is one of the few studies which have shifted the literature on synchronicity from one largely limited to firm-level synchronicity to country-level synchronicity through analyses of cross-border market synchronisation. It employs Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) to investigate the market synchronicity-IFRS nexus. The study uses monthly data from March 2005 to November 2021 in five African markets: Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa generating 1005 observations in an 18-year data span. The paper reveals a significant negative consequence of IFRS on market synchronicity. Thus, IFRS exhibits an inhibition role in market synchronicity (reduces synchronicity) and improves price informativeness. A decreasing pattern was also observed immediately after IFRS was adopted by the stock markets and persisted for about five years. It implies that the price informativeness of stock markets through IFRS makes them good candidates for intra-Africa portfolio diversification due to reduced investors’ risk exposure to market synchronicity.

A bibliometric review of IFRS adoption and compliance research in Africa

PurposeThis article aims to identify and review existing studies on the adoption and compliance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involves a sole focus on studies conducted with an African sample, using a bibliometric method and data from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Visualizations from VOSViewer and Biblioshiny software are employed to identify the dominant authors, journals and countries contributing to research in the region.FindingsThe findings reveal existing collaborations among authors in the field. However, the study emphasizes the need for additional research to enhance the intellectual structure of the research domain, as the majority of related documents are concentrated within twenty articles with at least one citation.Practical implicationsThe practical implications underscore the importance of collaboration in practice, emphasizing the need for cooperation among corporations, experts and regulatory agencies involved in IFRS adoption and compliance in Africa. By fostering collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing among corporations, experts and regulatory agencies, practitioners can enhance their understanding, streamline implementation processes and improve compliance methods.Originality/valueThis review is one of the few to explicitly conduct a bibliometric review of IFRS adoption and compliance studies in Africa, providing a foundation for future research to determine the current direction of IFRS studies in this region.

Earnings management using classification shifting of revenues: evidence from Chinese-listed firms

PurposeThis study aims to investigate earnings management practice of classification shifting of revenues in Chinese-listed firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a dataset of 2,920 A-listed firms from Chinese stock exchanges of Shanghai and Shenzhen for the period of 2003–2019. We apply both univariate and panel regression analysis by using fixed effect estimation with robust standard errors.FindingsOur findings reveal that firms misclassify revenues by taking advantage of the flexibility provided by applicable financial reporting standards. The empirical evidence obtained through regression analysis suggest that managers reclassify non-operating revenues as operating revenue to alter the economic reality while seeking the advantage of financial reports users’ vulnerability for valuing the upper half of income statement items more as compared to lower part. The results further indicate that international financial reporting standards adoption inhibits the earnings management practices using classification shifting of revenues. It is also concluded that firms, which are suffering losses or having low growth, are more persistently involved in misclassification of revenues.Originality/valueThe study is unique from the point of view that it investigates earnings management from the prospective of revenue’s classification in an emerging market characterized by various market imperfections such as lower investor protection and higher information asymmetry.

The Impact of Mandatory IFRS Adoption on the Value Relevance of Published Accounting Information: Evidence from Iraqi Private Banks

The study aimed to identify the impact of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the value Relevance of accounting information in a sample of banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. The study dealt with the method of analyzing the information content of the annual financial statements published on the Iraq Stock Exchange website, which number (46). Banks. (15) Banks were chosen as a sample for the study for the period (2012-2021). This sample was determined according to two basic conditions: the availability of financial statements for the year 2021 and the banks’ continuation of disclosing their data for the specified years without interruption. The independent variable was measured by financial reporting standards. The international standard (IFRS) was set at a value of (1.0), and the second variable (value Relevance) was measured using the model (Ohlson, 1995). Data analysis was also conducted through the use of statistical methods and tools and the statistical program (stata), and the study concluded that there is a relationship there is a positive moral significance between the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the value Relevance of published accounting information. This means that the greater the trend towards adopting international financial reporting standards is accompanied by an increase in the levels of value Relevance of accounting information. The study recommended the necessity the Central Bank of Iraq obligates banks listed on the Iraqi Stock Exchange to comply with the requirements of international financial reporting standards, which in turn reduces information asymmetry by disclosing Relevance accounting information to current and prospective investors.

A research note on earnings quality of private SMEs: the impact of IFRS adoption and Big Four auditor presence

This study analyzes whether International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption and the presence of Big Four auditors affect the earnings quality of UK private small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using data covering 2011–2018, we show that IFRS adoption is not significantly associated with earnings quality. This may be because SMEs’ smaller size and simpler business model mean that only a few accounting rules are relevant for them. The high quality of UK domestic accounting standards may also explain this result. Furthermore, we find that the presence of Big Four auditors results in lower earnings quality, in contrast to prior research results. The advisory role played by Big Four auditors for SMEs and UK tax authorities’ less monitoring of financial statements may contribute to this result. Our findings offer new insights into the potential impact of IFRS adoption on private SMEs’ earnings quality and suggest that policymakers aiming to enhance earnings quality should carefully consider the advisory role of auditors in SMEs’ financial reporting.

The effect of voluntary international financial reporting standards adoption on information asymmetry in the stock market: Evidence from Japan

This study investigates how voluntary International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption impacts information asymmetry in the stock market. We analyze data from firms in Japan, where local accounting standards have substantially converged with IFRS but are more rules-based than principles-based IFRS. These different implementation approaches allow us to investigate how increased accounting flexibility influences recognition and measurement practices, attenuating the effects of accounting standard differences on the level of accounting rule existence or non-existence. We find that information asymmetry increases after voluntary IFRS adoption, which is driven by small- and medium-sized IFRS adopters’ decrease in earnings quality after voluntary IFRS adoption. Additional analyses reveal that firms’ reporting incentives and accounting resources influence these changes. These results suggest that IFRS’s increased accounting flexibility in recognition and measurement practices worsens the information environments of firms with weak incentives to commit to transparent financial reporting or fewer accounting resources (i.e., small- and medium-sized firms).

The Factors Influencing the Intention to Adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Factors Influencing the Intention to Adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Determinant Factors for the Adoption of IFRS in Africa

Many countries worldwide have converted local accounting standards to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Although most countries embraced the IFRS, only a few African countries adopted global accounting standards in their current form. This paper extends the literature by investigating potential factors influencing the adoption of IFRS on the African continent and contributes significantly to the current knowledge in the field. The study employs a panel data logistic regression using the random‑effects statistical estimation technique to compare African countries that adopted the IFRS to non‑adopting countries from 2005 to 2019. The findings suggest that culture, external pressure, investor protection, market capitalisation, and trade openness are the predicted springboards determining African countries’ decisions to adopt the IFRS. These findings provide valuable insight for standard‑setters, enabling them to effectively promote the IFRS among African countries that have not adopted the IFRS in their current form.

IFRS implementation challenges in Southern Colombia’s agricultural sector

In the agricultural sector of Huila, particularly among SMEs in coffee, cocoa, fish, and rice subsectors, the transition to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is paramount yet challenging. This research aims to offer management guidelines to support Huila’s agricultural SMEs in their IFRS transition, underpinning the region’s aspirations for financial standardization and economic advancement. Utilizing a mixed-methods managerial approach, data was gathered from 13 representative companies using validated questionnaires, interviews, and analyzed with SPSS and ATLAS.ti. Results indicate that while there is evident progress in IFRS adoption, 12 out of 13 firms adopted IFRS, with rice leading in terms of adoption duration. While 77% found IFRS useful for financial statements, half reported insufficient staff training. The transition highlighted challenges, including asset recognition and valuation, and emphasized enhancing institutional support and IFRS training. Interviews revealed managerial commitment and expertise as significant factors. Recommendations for successful implementation include leadership involvement, continuous professional development, anticipating costs, clear accounting policies, and meticulous record-keeping. The study concludes that adopting IFRS enhances financial reporting quality, urging entities to converge their reporting practices without hesitation for improved comparability, relevance, and reliability in their financial disclosures.

IFRS adoption, information asymmetry and stock liquidity: Moderating effects of corporate governance mechanisms

The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on information asymmetry, transaction transparency, and stock market liquidity. Furthermore, this study examined the direct and moderating effect of corporate governance devices on this relationship. We apply ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine changes in stock liquidity for French-listed firms between the pre-IFRS and the post-IFRS period. We show that IFRS adoption is well-perceived by financial statement users. Following Boubaker et al. (2019), R. and Firoz (2022), Bansal (2023), and Agrawal and Chakraverty (2023), we found that these standards have a positive impact on stock liquidity and a negative impact on information asymmetry. In addition, audit quality has a decisive role in improving information quality. However, contrary to expectations, the independent members of the board of directors do not exercise their role of control and monitoring efficiently. We conclude that the reporting process is influenced by firm-level characteristics, and we contribute to the literature by enhancing discussion on the debate related to the benefits of IFRS adoption. Our findings can be of interest to regulatory bodies and policymakers by providing a better understanding of the factors that influence stock liquidity and decision-making.

Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and Financial Performance of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This study reviewed the literature on the effect of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Forty-five journal articles on the subject published between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed. The study employed a narrative literature review. The review focused on determining whether there wre any significant differences between the financial performance measurements of listed manufacturing firms operating in Nigeria that were prepared using IFRS-compliant financial statements and local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Second, to determine whether financial performance indicators developed using IFRS-compliant financial statements exhibit superior performance than those developed using local GAAP. The Studies reviewed employed secondary data, which were sourced from the annual reports of companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group, and the data were analyzed using panel regression analysis. According to the analysis of the literature, IFRS financial ratios are more accurate performance indicators than local GAAP financial ratios. Further investigation indicated that there were no notable discrepancies between the financial performance indicators (financial ratios) reported by listed manufacturing firms operating in Nigeria under local GAAP and IFRS-compliant financial statements. The study concluded that a company's financial performance (return on capital employed) improves in direct proportion to how closely it complies with IFRS disclosure guidelines. The study recommended that to sustain the positive effects of compulsory and voluntary financial performance disclosure, manufacturing firms should be concerned with the disclosure of important information at every point in time.

Stakeholders’ Response to IFRS adoption/ convergence on accounting quality and disclosures: A bibliometric review of Scopus database

This study characterises the results of behavioral accounting research on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption published in various journals. It: (a) provides an integrated overview of the extant literature available on the Scopus database, (b) locates their contributions, (c) identifies knowledge gaps and (d) derives a unique hypothesis for future investigation. This review presents an analysis of the studies on IFRS adoption/convergence considering the response of various stakeholders to IFRS adoption on issues including accounting quality and disclosure requirements. The present paper analyses 106 articles published between 2005 and 2021. Preparers (accountants) and users including academicians, researchers, policymakers, and regulatory and standard-setting bodies such as IASB may use this examination as a guideline to conduct further inspections into the standard-setting processes and the related issues.