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Asset specificity and conditional accounting conservatism

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  • Qingyuan Li
  • Li Xu

Abstract

Asset specificity, the redeployability of an asset to alternative uses, is a key determinant of an asset's resale value. Asset specificity has a direct impact on a firm's ongoing fair value determination, bankruptcy risk, liquidation value, and abandonment option. We document a significant negative association between asset specificity and conditional conservatism. Further tests reveal that this inverse relation manifests as bad news being less quickly incorporated in earnings as asset specificity increases. We find no difference in the extent to which good news is delayed in earnings for firms conditional on asset specificity. In addition, the documented association is stronger when asset specificity arises from lower within‐industry acquisition activity. The association is also more pronounced for firms that are in less competitive industries, have institutional investors, have limited access to the public debt market, and/or have more unsecured debt. Our findings are noteworthy for regulators and researchers given the recent interest in the determinants of conservatism.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingyuan Li & Li Xu, 2018. "Asset specificity and conditional accounting conservatism," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(7-8), pages 839-870, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:45:y:2018:i:7-8:p:839-870
    DOI: 10.1111/jbfa.12308
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    Cited by:

    1. Hasan, Mostafa Monzur & Alam, Nurul, 2022. "Asset redeployability and trade credit," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    2. Habib, Ahsan & Ranasinghe, Dinithi, 2022. "Asset redeployability and credit ratings," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    3. Feng Chen & Qingyuan Li & Li Xu, 2021. "Universal demand laws and the monitoring demand for accounting conservatism," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(7-8), pages 1246-1289, July.
    4. Jun Hu & Wenbin Long & Gary Gang Tian & Daifei (Troy) Yao, 2020. "CEOs’ experience of the Great Chinese Famine and accounting conservatism," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(9-10), pages 1089-1112, October.
    5. Mostafa Monzur Hasan & Ahsan Habib & Nurul Alam, 2021. "Asset Redeployability and Corporate Tax Avoidance," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 57(2), pages 183-219, June.
    6. Rashid Zaman & Nader Atawnah & Muhammad Nadeem & Stephen Bahadar & Irfan Haider Shakri, 2022. "Do liquid assets lure managers? Evidence from corporate misconduct," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(7-8), pages 1425-1453, July.

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