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Who likes jargon? The joint effect of jargon type and industry knowledge on investors’ judgments

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  • Tan, Hun-Tong
  • Wang, Elaine Ying
  • Yoo, G-Song

Abstract

We experimentally investigate how jargon affects investment willingness for investors with different industry knowledge, and whether such effects vary with good or bad jargon. We find that for investors without industry knowledge, jargon decreases investment willingness because it decreases understanding. However, for investors with some but low industry knowledge, jargon increases investment willingness because it increases perceived product premium. Such effects exist whether good or bad jargon is used. Finally, investors with high industry knowledge differentiate between good and bad jargon, and reduce investment willingness only when bad jargon is used. These findings have implications for regulators, managers, and investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Tan, Hun-Tong & Wang, Elaine Ying & Yoo, G-Song, 2019. "Who likes jargon? The joint effect of jargon type and industry knowledge on investors’ judgments," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 416-437.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:67:y:2019:i:2:p:416-437
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2019.03.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Zachariah C. & Anicich, Eric M. & Galinsky, Adam D., 2020. "Compensatory conspicuous communication: Low status increases jargon use," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 274-290.
    2. Feld, Jan & Lines, Corinna & Ross, Libby, 2024. "Writing matters," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 378-397.
    3. Kai A. Bauch & Peter Kotzian & Barbara E. Weißenberger, 2021. "Likeability in subjective performance evaluations: does it bias managers’ weighting of performance measures?," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 91(1), pages 35-59, February.
    4. Chen, Wei & Tan, Hun-Tong & Wang, Elaine Ying, 2023. "The impact of repeated notifications and notification checking mode on investors' reactions to managers’ strategic positive title emphasis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    5. Jingyu Gao & F.G.H. (Frank) Hartmann & Min Zhang & Yasheng Chen, 2023. "The impact of CSR performance and CSR disclosure readability on investors’ earnings estimates," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(S1), pages 1157-1186, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Jargon; Industry knowledge; Good jargon; Bad jargon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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