Category Archives: RESEARCH ARTICLE

Do innovator CEOs matter in IPOs?

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Abstract

This paper examines the impact of innovator CEOs on their firms' IPO underpricing, long-run performance and post-IPO innovation. Firstly, we find that IPO firms led by innovator CEOs experience lower first-day returns (indicating lower IPO underpricing). This phenomenon can be attributed to a CEO's innovative ability, as it plays a pivotal role in mitigating information asymmetry within the IPO market. Secondly, we observe that IPO firms with innovator CEOs have greater IPO long-run performance. Lastly, our analysis reveals that IPO firms led by innovator CEOs demonstrate greater firm-wide innovation up to 4 years after the IPO. Overall, our study highlights the effect of CEO characteristics on firm performance in the IPO market.

Family control, institutional investors, and financial distress: Evidence from China

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Abstract

The effect of family control on corporate governance and risk-taking behaviours remains disputed worldwide. We examine how family control affects the financial distress of firms listed on the Chinese stock market. Our empirical findings suggest that family firms, particularly those with descendant CEOs, face significantly higher financial distress risk. Higher debt levels and more diversified acquisitions of family firms can partially explain their higher financial risk. Further analysis indicates that institutional investors help reduce the financial distress risk of Chinese family firms. We contend that institutional investors play vital roles in enhancing the corporate governance of family firms in China. Taken together, our study urges attention to the financial distress risk of family firms in a transient economy.

Exit as governance: The effect of stock liquidity on firm productivity

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Abstract

This study examines the effect of stock liquidity on firm productivity. Our findings indicate that stock liquidity positively affects firm productivity. Our study provides several pieces of evidence to show that stock liquidity enhances firm productivity through facilitation of corporate governance by shareholders and stock price efficiency. Additionally, we confirm that the impact of stock liquidity on productivity is more pronounced for firms with lower attendance at shareholder meetings, with less financial constraints and that are state-owned enterprises. This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature by presenting novel evidence regarding the influence of stock liquidity on firm productivity in emerging markets.

Influence of the cash conversion cycle on firm’s financial performance: Evidence from publicly traded firms in the Latin American context

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Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the cash conversion cycle (CCC) and the financial and market performances of publicly traded” firms in six Latin American (LatAm) countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The analysis covers the period from 2000 to 2018. The results indicate that increases in CCC negatively impact the generation of operating cash flows and long-term investments, and increase financial risk. Other findings suggest that the mechanisms through which CCC affects a firm's financial performance can provide a satisfactory explanation of its market performance. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that CCC is a relevant driver of value in working capital management in undeveloped or emerging economies.

Transparency or ambiguity? Voluntary IFRS adoption and earnings management in Japan

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Abstract

This study examines the mechanism of voluntary IFRS adoption on earnings management in Japan. Limited research clarifies how IFRS adoption influences earnings management. Using data from listed firms between 2011 and 2018, the multivariate regression results suggest that voluntary IFRS adoption in Japan increases the extent of discretionary accruals. Furthermore, the relation becomes more pronounced when firms have greater accounting opportunities and stronger cost incentives. The main findings hold after various robustness tests. This study fills the gap in the literature by investigating the mechanism that IFRS adoption enhances opportunities and motivation for earnings management through accounting ambiguity.

Labelling in financial reporting: An examination of “other comprehensive income” and non‐professional investors’ judgements

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Abstract

Other comprehensive income (OCI) is often confusing for financial statement users and the International Accounting Standards Board has proposed new labelling to improve its presentation. Using an experimental method, we find that OCI labelling influences non-professional investors' evaluation and judgements on financial performance. Non-professional investors place greater weight on OCI information presented with explicit labels when assessing both the current and future performance of a company. Our results indicate that improving the presentation of OCI information enhances their perceived relevance in investors' decision-making. The results have practical implications for standard setters and financial statement users.

The influence of organisational learning capability on the organisational use of SMA practices: The mediating role of employee creativity and empowerment

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Abstract

This study extends the strategic management accounting (SMA) and organisational learning literature by examining the role of organisational learning capability in facilitating the organisational use of SMA practices. Further, we consider the role of two employee behavioural factors – employee empowerment of SMA practices and employee creativity – in mediating this relationship. Data was collected from 332 accountants in Australian business organisations using an online survey questionnaire, with structural equation modelling applied to analyse the data. The findings highlight the direct and indirect (through employee empowerment of SMA practices and employee creativity) influence that organisational learning capability has on the organisational use of SMA practices.

Competition, liquidity creation and bank stability

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Abstract

We examine the conditioning role of competition in affecting the relationship between liquidity creation and bank risk in a sample of US banks from 2001 to 2016. We find aggregate evidence that competition is related to bank fragility as proxied by the Z-score both directly and indirectly through its interaction with liquidity creation. However, when the ex-ante level of liquidity creation is low and/or competition is low to moderate, competition is associated with an improvement in bank risk at a given level of liquidity creation. In addition, the joint fragility effect of competition and liquidity creation manifests more strongly, in an economic sense, in poorly capitalised banks and large banks with assets of more than $3 billion. Our findings emphasise the crucial role of targeted competition regulations in ensuring bank solvency and systemic stability while maintaining a robust level of competition.

Economic consequences of new accounting standards in UK charities

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Abstract

This study examines the effect of changes to the 2015 UK charities accounting standards on financial reporting timeliness and audit fees. Utilising 62,785 observations (9351 charities) from 2010 to 2017, we report a significant decrease in financial reporting timeliness following the new accounting standards regime. The decrease is more pronounced in charities with audited financial statements because of their lengthier audit report lag. Audit fees are also substantially higher following the new accounting standards implementation. Sensitivity tests reveal charities are more likely to have an unusual reporting lag following the introduction of the new accounting standards.

How does climate risk affect corporate innovation? Evidence from China

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Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of climate risk on corporate innovation in China. Employing a city-level climate risk indicator that we constructed and a sample of 21,430 firm-year observations of Chinese-listed companies, we find that climate risk is negatively associated with corporate innovation investment and outcome. These results are robust to alternative empirical designs and identifications. Our mechanism analyses reveal that climate risk impedes corporate innovation by motivating firms to increase cash holdings as financial reserves. Additional analyses suggest that the adverse impact of climate risk on corporate innovation is more pronounced for high-tech firms, and less salient for firms with higher financial constraints and female Chairperson or CEO. Furthermore, the decrease in corporate innovation due to climate risk can lead to a reduction in firm value. These findings contribute to the existing literature on climate risk and corporate innovation and inform regulators and listed firms concerning climate risk.