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Foreign-language effect and professionals’ judgments on fair value measurement: Evidence from Germany and the United Kingdom

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  • Hellmann, Andreas
  • Patel, Chris
  • Tsunogaya, Noriyuki

Abstract

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have been developed in an attempt to minimize the differences in accounting practices across countries. These standards are developed in English and translated into other local languages. However, if professionals attach different meanings in interpreting key accounting concepts based on the language used, then comparability and consistency of their judgments will be compromised. We contribute to the behavioral finance literature by examining whether experienced professionals attach consistent or different connotative meanings to one of the key IFRS concepts, namely, ‘fair value’. Our findings show a consistent pattern of differences in professionals’ judgments on ‘fair values’ in English and its German translation. Awareness of a foreign-language effect will help professionals, firms, and standard setters to develop communication and language strategies and policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Hellmann, Andreas & Patel, Chris & Tsunogaya, Noriyuki, 2021. "Foreign-language effect and professionals’ judgments on fair value measurement: Evidence from Germany and the United Kingdom," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:beexfi:v:30:y:2021:i:c:s2214635021000228
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbef.2021.100478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Xiaomeng Charlene & Hellmann, Andreas & Sood, Suresh, 2022. "A framework for analyst economic incentives and cognitive biases: Origination of the walk-down in earnings forecasts," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).
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    3. Peipei Pan & Chris Patel, 2024. "Do Internal Auditors Make Consistent Ethical Judgments in English and Chinese in Reporting Wrongdoing?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 194(2), pages 433-453, October.
    4. Korzeniowska Dominika & Brescia Valerio & Fijałkowska Justyna, 2022. "Behavioral Accounting: A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature Outputs in 2013–2022," Journal of Intercultural Management, Sciendo, vol. 14(3), pages 17-40, September.

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