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The impact of corporate reporting readability on informational efficiency

Author

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  • Reza Hesarzadeh
  • Javad Rajabalizadeh

Abstract

Purpose - Informational efficiency is a fundamental aspect of capital market quality, and therefore, regulators, managers and practitioners attempt to find ways to improve the informational efficiency. Since prior studies primarily focus on the numerical attributes of corporate reporting, it is not yet adequately known whether or not the linguistic attributes of corporate reporting affect informational efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether corporate reporting readability (readability), as an important linguistic attribute of corporate reporting, affects informational efficiency. Design/methodology/approach - To measure readability, this paper uses Fog index. Moreover, to measure informational efficiency, the paper uses stock return variance ratios. Findings - The findings reveal a positive and significant association between readability and informational efficiency. Moreover, the findings show that the association of readability and informational efficiency is stronger for firms facing higher information asymmetry. The findings further document the spillover effect of readability, in the sense that the readability of economically related public firms affects a firm’s informational efficiency. Overall, the results support the arguments that readability enhances informational efficiency. Originality/value - This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the internalities and externalities of readability in the context of informational efficiency. Thus, the study will be of interest to regulators, managers and practitioners, especially in emerging capital markets, who tend to find practical and easy ways to improve informational efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Reza Hesarzadeh & Javad Rajabalizadeh, 2019. "The impact of corporate reporting readability on informational efficiency," Asian Review of Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(4), pages 489-507, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:arapps:ara-11-2018-0203
    DOI: 10.1108/ARA-11-2018-0203
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Reza Hesarzadeh, 2020. "Regulatory oversight and managerial ability," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 10(4), pages 559-585, December.
    2. Anthony M. Gould & Jean‐Etienne Joullié & Kate Gould, 2024. "First things first: Unselfconscious corporate virtuosity and corporate performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 692-706, February.
    3. Oradi, Javad, 2021. "CEO succession origin, audit report lag, and audit fees: Evidence from Iran," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Processing fluency; Spillover effect; Readability; Informational efficiency; Emerging capital markets; G10; G11; M10; M21; M40; M48;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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