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The positive externalities of IFRS R&D capitalization: enhanced voluntary disclosure

Author

Listed:
  • Ester Chen
  • Ilanit Gavious

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Baruch Lev

    (New York University Stern School of Business)

Abstract

Studies comparing IFRS with U.S. GAAP generally focus on differences in the attributes and consequences of the recognized financial items. We, in contrast, focus on voluntary disclosure resulting from arguably the most significant difference between IFRS and GAAP: the capitalization of development costs—the “D” of R&D—required by IFRS but prohibited by GAAP. Using a sample of Israeli high-technology and science-based firms, some using IFRS and others U.S. GAAP, we document a significant externality of IFRS development cost capitalization in the form of extensive voluntary disclosure of forward−looking information on product pipeline development and its expected consequences. We show that this disclosure is value-relevant over and above the mandated financial information, including the capitalized R&D asset. We also show that the capitalized development costs (an asset) is highly significant in relation to stock prices, and enhances the relevance of the voluntary disclosures.

Suggested Citation

  • Ester Chen & Ilanit Gavious & Baruch Lev, 2017. "The positive externalities of IFRS R&D capitalization: enhanced voluntary disclosure," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 677-714, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:22:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s11142-017-9399-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-017-9399-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Xia, Dan & Wang, Xiang-Qian, 2021. "The synergetic impact of environmental and innovation information disclosure on corporate financial performance: An empirical study based on China coal listed companies," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Hafis Ahmed oglu Hajiyev & Marina Stolyarova & Olga Kalacheva & Victoria Malitskaya & Yana Ivanova & Lyudmila Malysheva, 2021. "International Financial Reporting Standards' (IFRS) application peculiarities: a case study," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 9(2), pages 255-267, December.
    3. Dargenidou, Christina & Jackson, Richard H.G. & Tsalavoutas, Ioannis & Tsoligkas, Fanis, 2021. "Capitalisation of R&D and the informativeness of stock prices: Pre- and post-IFRS evidence," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4).
    4. Petros Kalantonis & Sotiria Schoina & Spyros Missiakoulis & Constantin Zopounidis, 2020. "The Impact of the Disclosed R & D Expenditure on the Value Relevance of the Accounting Information: Evidence from Greek Listed Firms," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Ziqin Yu & Xiang Xiao, 2022. "Innovation information disclosure and stock price crash risk‐based supervision and insurance effect path analysis," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(3), pages 534-590, September.
    6. Mazzi, Francesco & Slack, Richard & Tsalavoutas, Ioannis & Tsoligkas, Fanis, 2019. "Country-level corruption and accounting choice: Research & development capitalization under IFRS," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(5).
    7. Gordon, Elizabeth A. & Hsu, Hsiao-Tang & Huang, Huichi, 2020. "Peer R&D disclosure and corporate innovation: Evidence from American depositary receipt firms," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    8. Li, Xiaoyu & Zou, Lin, 2024. "Does mandating narrative disclosure of innovation help unveil the curtain of R&D expenditure? Evidence from regulation change in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Taoufik Elkemali, 2024. "Intangible and Tangible Investments and Future Earnings Volatility," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, May.
    10. Dennis Oswald & Ana Simpson & Paul Zarowin, 2022. "Capitalization vs. expensing and the behavior of R&D expenditures," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 1199-1232, December.
    11. Chen, Chao & Gu, Junjian & Luo, Rongxi, 2022. "Corporate innovation and R&D expenditure disclosures," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    12. Dinh, Tami & Schultze, Wolfgang, 2022. "Accounting for R&D on the income statement? Evidence on non-discretionary vs. discretionary R&D capitalization under IFRS in Germany," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    13. Wu, Xianming & Wang, Maoqiong & Cui, Victor, 2024. "Are proactive outbound cross-border mergers and acquisitions effective for firms' R&D? New evidence from emerging market enterprises," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(4).
    14. Baruch Lev, 2018. "The deteriorating usefulness of financial report information and how to reverse it," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(5), pages 465-493, July.
    15. Sangpil Yoon & Gyuhyung Kim & Yanghon Chung & Hosung Son, 2023. "Is customer involvement always beneficial for R&D efficiency? The difference between high‐tech and low‐tech industries," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(3), pages 1678-1688, April.
    16. Versano, Tsahi, 2021. "Silence can be golden: On the value of allowing managers to keep silent when information is soft," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(2).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D capitalization; Voluntary disclosure; IFRS; GAAP;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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