IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/jaarpp/v13y2012i1p5-20.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Incentives for fixed asset revaluations: the UK evidence

Author

Listed:
  • George Emmanuel Iatridis
  • George Kilirgiotis

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the incentives for fixed asset revaluation. The motives that are investigated include firm size, fixed asset intensity, firm foreign operations and acquisitions, firm indebtedness and earnings management inclination. Design/methodology - The study utilises logistic and linear regressions to test the hypothetical relations set up in the study. The categorisation of sample companies into those that perform asset revaluations and those that do not is based on the examination of firms’ annual reports. Findings - The findings of the study provide evidence that firm size is positively related to fixed asset revaluation. Firms with foreign operations, with low fixed assets, and with high debt capital needs are more likely to perform fixed asset revaluations. This is also the case for firms that carry out acquisitions. The study also shows that fixed asset revaluation is negatively related to earnings management. Research limitations/implications - Firms that revalue their fixed assets should examine the signals that are likely to be conveyed to investors about their managerial ability and financial prospects. Firms would tend to revalue their fixed assets when it is likely to result in maximum favourable financial consequences. Future research should investigate the possible opportunism in firms’ behaviour, as well as the stock market reaction to fixed asset revaluations. Originality/value - The paper is useful for investors and financial analysts, as it sheds light on the motives for fixed asset revaluations. The reporting of asset values based on fair values would assist them in making unbiased predictions about firms’ future performance. The paper gives insight about the financial attributes of firms that perform fixed asset revaluations. For example, firms with capital needs would be inclined to undertake a fixed asset revaluation in order to reinforce their financial position.

Suggested Citation

  • George Emmanuel Iatridis & George Kilirgiotis, 2012. "Incentives for fixed asset revaluations: the UK evidence," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(1), pages 5-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jaarpp:v:13:y:2012:i:1:p:5-20
    DOI: 10.1108/09675421211231871
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09675421211231871/full/html?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09675421211231871/full/pdf?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1108/09675421211231871?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Y.C. Lin & Ken V. Peasnell, 2000. "Fixed Asset Revaluation and Equity Depletion in the UK," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3-4), pages 359-394.
    2. Courtenay, Stephen M. & Cahan, Steven F., 2004. "The impact of debt on market reactions to the revaluation of noncurrent assets," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 219-243, April.
    3. Aboody, David & Barth, Mary E. & Kasznik, Ron, 1999. "Revaluations of fixed assets and future firm performance: Evidence from the UK1," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(1-3), pages 149-178, January.
    4. DeFond, Mark L. & Subramanyam, K. R., 1998. "Auditor changes and discretionary accruals," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 35-67, February.
    5. Missonier-Piera, Franck, 2007. "Reply to discussion of "Motives for fixed asset revaluation: An empirical analysis with Swiss data"," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 210-212.
    6. Jones, Jj, 1991. "Earnings Management During Import Relief Investigations," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 193-228.
    7. Myers, Stewart C., 1977. "Determinants of corporate borrowing," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 147-175, November.
    8. Y.C. Lin & Ken V. Peasnell, 2000. "Fixed Asset Revaluation and Equity Depletion in the UK," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3&4), pages 359-394.
    9. Ervin L. Black & Keith F. Sellers & Tracy S. Manly, 1998. "Earnings Management Using Asset Sales: An International Study of Countries Allowing Noncurrent Asset Revaluation," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(9-10), pages 1287-1317.
    10. Christoffersen, Peter & Chung, Hyunchul & Errunza, Vihang, 2006. "Size matters: The impact of financial liberalization on individual firms," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 25(8), pages 1296-1318, December.
    11. Missonier-Piera, Franck, 2007. "Motives for fixed-asset revaluation: An empirical analysis with Swiss data," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 186-205.
    12. Ervin L. Black & Keith F. Sellers & Tracy S. Manly, 1998. "Earnings Management Using Asset Sales: An International Study of Countries Allowing Noncurrent Asset Revaluation," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(9‐10), pages 1287-1317, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Johannes Thesing & Patrick Velte, 2021. "Do fair value measurements affect accounting-based earnings quality? A literature review with a focus on corporate governance as moderator," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 91(7), pages 965-1004, September.
    2. Habeeb Mohamed Nijam, 2018. "Motives for Reporting Fixed Assets at Revalued Amount: Evidence from a Developing Economy," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(3), pages 604-622, June.
    3. Md. Tahidur Rahman & Syed Zabid Hossain & Md. Anwarul Haque, 2021. "Timing, Recurrence, and Effects of Fixed Asset Revaluation: Evidence from Bangladesh," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 11(2), pages 67-75.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lopes, Alexsandro Broedel & Walker, Martin, 2012. "Asset revaluations, future firm performance and firm-level corporate governance arrangements: New evidence from Brazil," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 53-67.
    2. Missonier-Piera, Franck, 2007. "Motives for fixed-asset revaluation: An empirical analysis with Swiss data," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 186-205.
    3. Mao, Yaping & Renneboog, Luc, 2015. "Do managers manipulate earnings prior to management buyouts?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 43-61.
    4. Habeeb Mohamed Nijam, 2018. "Motives for Reporting Fixed Assets at Revalued Amount: Evidence from a Developing Economy," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(3), pages 604-622, June.
    5. Salvatore Madonna & Greta Cestari & Francesca Giuliani, 2021. "Asset revaluation: scelte manageriali in tempo di crisi," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(3), pages 41-64.
    6. Md. Tahidur Rahman & Syed Zabid Hossain & Md. Anwarul Haque, 2021. "Timing, Recurrence, and Effects of Fixed Asset Revaluation: Evidence from Bangladesh," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 11(2), pages 67-75.
    7. Jung, Boochun & Pourjalali, Hamid & Wen, Eric & Daniel, Shirley J., 2013. "The association between firm characteristics and CFO's opinions on the fair value option for non-financial assets," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 255-266.
    8. Cho, Hyungjin & Chung, Ju Ryum & Kim, Young Jun, 2021. "Fixed asset revaluation and external financing during the financial crisis: Evidence from Korea," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    9. Apostolos Ballas & Vaia Panagiotou & Christos Tzovas, 2014. "Accounting Choices for Tangible Assets: A Study of Greek Firms," SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, University of Piraeus, vol. 64(4), pages 18-38, October-D.
    10. Anastasios Tsamis & Konstantinos Liapis, 2014. "Fair Value and Cost Accounting, Depreciation Methods, Recognition and Measurement for Fixed Assets," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(3), pages 115-133.
    11. Crisan Sorana Adina, 2013. "Can Asset Revaluation Be Manipulative? - A Case Study," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 1198-1209, July.
    12. Konstantinos J. Liapis & Christos L.Galanos, 2010. "Accounting GAAPs and Accounting Treatments for Management of Property: Case Studies from Greek Real Estate Market," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 169-194.
    13. Anastasios Tsamis & Konstantinos Liapis, 2014. "Property Assets Fair Value Accounting Under Uncertainty," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 35-54.
    14. Juan Manuel García Lara & Beatriz García Osma & Belén Gill de Albornoz Noguer, 2006. "Effects of database choice on international accounting research," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 42(3‐4), pages 426-454, September.
    15. Jincheol Bae & Jaehong Lee & Eunsoo Kim, 2019. "Does Fixed Asset Revaluation Build Trust between Management and Investors?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-22, July.
    16. Cairns, David & Massoudi, Dianne & Taplin, Ross & Tarca, Ann, 2011. "IFRS fair value measurement and accounting policy choice in the United Kingdom and Australia," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 1-21.
    17. Chy, Mahfuz & De Franco, Gus & Su, Barbara, 2021. "The effect of auditor litigation risk on clients' access to bank debt: Evidence from a quasi-experiment," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1).
    18. Francesco Capalbo & Claudio Lupi & Margherita Smarra & Marco Sorrentino, 2021. "Elections and earnings management: evidence from municipally-owned entities," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(3), pages 707-730, September.
    19. Benzion Barlev & Dov Fried & Joshua Rene Haddad & Joshua Livnat, 2007. "Reevaluation of Revaluations: A Cross‐Country Examination of the Motives and Effects on Future Performance," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7‐8), pages 1025-1050, September.
    20. Hervé Stolowy & Gaetan Breton, 2000. "A Framework for the Classification of Accounts Manipulations," Working Papers hal-00597249, HAL.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eme:jaarpp:v:13:y:2012:i:1:p:5-20. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Emerald Support (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.