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Who detects corporate fraud under the thriving of the new media? Evidence from Chinese‐listed firms

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  • Yanmei Sun
  • Xiaoting Sun
  • Weixing Wu

Abstract

We test the effectiveness of corporate fraud‐detection mechanisms and the reaction of the capital market to the information released by the various types of detectors. Using corporate fraud data from 2006 to 2015, we find that the media is the most important external market system used to expose corporate fraud to the public. However, in contrast to the low incidents of fraudulent firms being exposed by analysts and short sellers, firms with abnormal short selling are more likely to be revealed to the public. Furthermore, the market reacts significantly negatively to the frauds exposed by the media.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanmei Sun & Xiaoting Sun & Weixing Wu, 2021. "Who detects corporate fraud under the thriving of the new media? Evidence from Chinese‐listed firms," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(S1), pages 1313-1343, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:61:y:2021:i:s1:p:1313-1343
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Feng He & Xin Huang & Guanchun Liu & Ziqiao Wang, 2024. "Does CSR Engagement Deter Corporate Misconduct? Quasi-natural Experimental Evidence from Firms Joining a Government-Initiated Social Program in China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 555-587, September.
    3. Su, Fei & Feng, Xu & Tang, Songlian, 2021. "Do site visits mitigate corporate fraudulence? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    4. Feng He & Yaqian Feng & Lingbing Feng, 2023. "Social media information dissemination and corporate bad news hoarding," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(S1), pages 1503-1532, April.
    5. Chen, Fengwen & Wang, Bing & Wang, Wei & Hu, Chen, 2024. "The secret of imitating wrongdoing: Accidental or deliberate," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    6. Wu, Fang & Cao, June & Zhang, Xiaosan, 2023. "Do non-executive employees matter in curbing corporate financial fraud?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    7. Lu, Qiaoshan & Xiang, Cheng & Li, Bingxiang & Feng, Lixuan, 2023. "Non-controlling shareholders' governance participation and corporate misconduct: Evidence from voting in general meetings," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    8. Su, Fei & Guan, Mengyao & Liu, Yujie & Liu, Jia, 2024. "ESG performance and corporate fraudulence: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    9. Sun, Guanglin & Li, Ting & Ai, Yongfang & Li, Qinghai, 2023. "Digital finance and corporate financial fraud," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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