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Independent directors and earnings management: The moderating effects of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights

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  • Wu, Soushan
  • Chen, Chin-Mei
  • Lee, Pei-Ching

Abstract

The research results on the suppressing effect of independent directors on earnings management are not consistent in existing literature. In addition, it has been argued that using financial statements provided by top management to investigate top management's earnings management is not appropriate. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, we used external auditors (including the auditors of Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation and the auditors of two Big Four accounting firms – Deloitte & Touche and KPMG in Taiwan) as respondents in order to obtain less biased data. Second, we investigate the moderating effects of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights on the relationship between independent directors and earnings management. The results show that both the existence of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights have significant suppressing effects on the relationship between independent directors and earnings management. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Soushan & Chen, Chin-Mei & Lee, Pei-Ching, 2016. "Independent directors and earnings management: The moderating effects of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 153-165.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:35:y:2016:i:c:p:153-165
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2015.10.007
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    1. Mujeeb Saif Mohsen Al-Absy & Ku Nor Izah Ku Ismail & Sitraselvi Chandren, 2018. "Accounting expertise in the audit committee and earnings management," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(3), pages 451-476, June.
    2. Zhang, Min & Liu, Yaosong & Xie, Lu & Ye, Tingting, 2017. "Does the cutoff of “red capital” raise a red flag? Political connections and stock price crash risk," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 89-109.
    3. Tai, Vivian W. & Lai, Yi-Hsun & Yang, Tung-Hsiao, 2020. "The role of the board and the audit committee in corporate risk management," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    4. Hamid Beladi & Chen Cheng & May Hu & Yuan Yuan, 2020. "Unemployment governance, labour cost and earnings management: Evidence from China," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(10), pages 2526-2548, October.
    5. Ahmed Mohamed Habib, 2024. "Does real earnings management affect a firm's environmental, social, and governance (ESG), financial performance, and total value? A moderated mediation analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(11), pages 28239-28268, November.
    6. Yang, Zhonghai & Xiu, Xue & Xu, Meng & Zhao, Yixiu, 2024. "Noncontrolling shareholders' network centrality and corporate earnings management: Governance or conspiracy?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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