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Concentration et compétitivité du marché de l'audit en France:une étude longitudinale 1997-2003

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  • Charles Piot

    (Université de Grenoble 2)

Abstract

(VF) Cet article étudie la concentration et l'intensité concurrentielle du marché de l'audit français dans la phase de regroupements des Big Six aux Big Four, suite aux critiques de «cartélisation» souvent formulées. Les mesures portent sur l'ensemble des sociétés cotées fin 1997 et fin 2003, ainsi que sur une segmentation sectorielle de ce marché. Il ressort que la concentration s'est logiquement accrue, globalement et dans la plupart des secteurs. À l'instar des pays anglo-saxons, les ratios de concentration montrent une tendance vers l'oligopole restreint, confirmée par les indices de Linda qui suggèrent un resserrement, dans cette période, de huit à cinq firmes d'audit dotées d'un poids significatif. Toutefois, les indices de Herfindahl suggèrent que l'intensité concurrentielle demeure vive entre les grandes firmes d'audit, et que le marché reste concurrentiel par les prix fin 2003.(VA)Following growing critics of "cartelization", this paper investigates the concentration and competitiveness of the French audit market during the Big Six to Big Four merger period. Concentration is measured for the whole population of listed companics at the end of 1997 and 2003, and within industry segments. It appears that concentration has logically increased, overall, and in most of the industry segments. As observed on Anglo-Saxon markets, concentration ratios characterize a closed oligopoly , which is confirmed by Linda indices showing that the market has reduced from eight to five audit firms with significant market power. However, Herfindahl indices suggest that competition remains fierce between the larger audit firms, and that the whole market is still price competitive by the end of 2003.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Piot, 2008. "Concentration et compétitivité du marché de l'audit en France:une étude longitudinale 1997-2003," Revue Finance Contrôle Stratégie, revues.org, vol. 11(4), pages 31-63, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:dij:revfcs:v:11:y:2008:i:q4:p:31-63
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simunic, Da, 1980. "The Pricing Of Audit Services - Theory And Evidence," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(1), pages 161-190.
    2. Sumithira Thavapalan & Robyn Moroney & Roger Simnett, 2002. "The effect of the PricewaterhouseCoopers merger on auditor concentration in Australia: A note," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 42(2), pages 153-167, June.
    3. Charles Piot, 2001. "Agency costs and audit quality: evidence from France," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 461-499.
    4. Tonge, Stanley D. & Wootton, Charles W., 1991. "Auditor concentration and competition among the large public accounting firms: Post-merger status and future implications," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 157-172.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    concentration; compétitivité; marché de l'audit; Big Six/Four; fusions de cabinets; competitiveness ; audit market; auditor mergers.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing

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