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The effects of line†of†business reporting on competition in oligopoly settings

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  • GERALD A. FELTHAM
  • FRANK B. GIGLER
  • JOHN S. HUGHES

Abstract

. This study considers the welfare effects of line†of†business (LOB) reporting by firms operating in imperfectly competitive markets. The analysis is based on a two†period model in which a multisegment firm, labeled the incumbent, operates as a monopolist in two markets in the first period and then competes against an entrant in each of the two markets in the second period. The incumbent obtains private information in the first period. LOB reporting fully reveals that information to the entrants; aggregate reporting only partially reveals the incumbent's information. The second†period consequences on firms and consumers parallel results previously available from the information†sharing literature. These results serve to explain why some firms opposed the imposition of LOB reporting by accounting rule†making bodies. The incumbent may distort first†period production in an attempt to influence entrant beliefs. However, such distortions lower the incumbent's expected first†period profit and result in no gains in the second period. Nonetheless, in equilibrium, these distortions cannot be avoided unless the entrants observe the incumbent's first†period production or prices, suggesting a role for nonfinancial disclosures in accounting reports. Résumé. Les auteurs se penchent sur l'effet «protecteur» de la communication d'informations relatives au secteur d'activité par les entreprises qui exercent leurs activités sur des marchés imparfaitement concurrentiels. L'analyse est fondée sur un modèle comportant deux périodes, dans lequel une entreprise oeuvrant dans plusieurs secteurs d'activité†désignée sous l'appellation d'entreprise installée—exerce un monopole dans deux marchés au cours de la première période et doit ensuite livrer concurrence à un nouveau venu dans chacun des deux marchés au cours de la seconde période. L'entreprise installée obtient de l'information privilégiée au cours de la première période. L'information sectorielle livre intégralement cette information aux nouveaux venus, mais l'information consolidée ne révèle qu'une partie de l'information dont dispose l'entreprise installée. Les résultats de la seconde période pour les entreprises et les consommateurs s'apparentent à ceux qui ont été exposés jusqu'à maintenant dans les écrits relatifs au partage d'informations. Ces résultats viennent expliquer pourquoi certaines entreprises se sont opposées à ce que les organismes de réglementation comptable fassent de la présentation de l'information sectorielle une obligation. L'entreprise installée peut «biaiser» l'information relative à la première période dans l'intention d'influer sur les convictions des nouveaux venus. Ces distorsions diminueront cependant le profit espéré par l'entreprise installée au cours de la première période et se traduiront par des gains nuls au cours de la seconde période. Néanmoins, en situation d'équilibre, ces distorsions ne peuvent être évitées, à moins que les nouveaux venus n'observent la production ou les prix de l'entreprise installée au cours de la première période, ce qui permet de croire que la présentation d'informations non financières dans les rapports comptables a un rôle à jouer.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald A. Feltham & Frank B. Gigler & John S. Hughes, 1992. "The effects of line†of†business reporting on competition in oligopoly settings," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:9:y:1992:i:1:p:1-23
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1911-3846.1992.tb00865.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carolyn M. Callahan & E. Ann Gabriel, 1998. "The Differential Impact of Accurate Product Cost Information in Imperfectly Competitive Markets: A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(4), pages 419-455, December.
    2. Kryzanowski, Lawrence & Mohebshahedin, Mahmood, 2020. "Transparency and fund governance efficacy: The effect of the SEC'S disclosure rule on advisory contracts," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    3. Carolyn B. Levine & Michael J. Smith, 2003. "Ex Post Voluntary Disclosure Strategies for Insiders," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(4), pages 719-746, December.
    4. Glaeser, Stephen, 2018. "The effects of proprietary information on corporate disclosure and transparency: Evidence from trade secrets," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 163-193.
    5. Sheng-Syan Chen & Chia-Wei Huang & Chuan-Yang Hwang & Yanzhi Wang, 2022. "Voluntary disclosure and corporate innovation," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 1081-1115, April.
    6. Ronald A. Dye & S. Sridhar, 2002. "Resource Allocation Effects of Price Reactions to Disclosures," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 385-410, September.
    7. Christian Leuz, 2010. "Different approaches to corporate reporting regulation: How jurisdictions differ and why," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(3), pages 229-256.
    8. Elayan, Fayez A. & Pacharn, Parunchana & Li, Jennifer & Brown, Kareen & Chen, Yijia, 2023. "The market response to mandatory disclosure of payments to foreign governments," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(6).
    9. Bazrafshan, Ebrahim & Kandelousi, Amene S. & Hooy, Chee-Wooi, 2016. "The impact of earnings management on the extent of disclosure and true financial performance: Evidence from listed firms in Hong Kong," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 206-219.
    10. Christensen, Hans B. & Liu, Lisa Yao & Maffett, Mark, 2020. "Proactive financial reporting enforcement and shareholder wealth," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(2).

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