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The Enforcement of Mandatory Disclosure Rules

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Dahm

    (University of Nottingham, School of Economics)

  • Paula González

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Nicolás Porteiro

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

Abstract

This paper examines the incentives of a firm to invest in information about the quality of its product and to disclose its findings. If the firm conceals information, it might be detected and fined. We show that optimal monitoring is determined by a trade-off. Overall, stricter enforcement reduces the incentives for selective reporting but crowds out information search. Our model implies that there are situations in which the relationship between the two monitoring instruments might be complementary. We also show that the welfare effects of mandatory disclosure depend on how it is enforced and that imperfect enforcement (in which some information remains concealed) might be optimal. In particular, the optimal fine might be smaller than the largest possible fine, even though the latter requires lower resource costs for inspections.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Dahm & Paula González & Nicolás Porteiro, 2018. "The Enforcement of Mandatory Disclosure Rules," Working Papers 18.09, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wpaper:18.09
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    Cited by:

    1. Xianpei Hong & Xinlu Cao & Yeming Gong & Wanying (amanda) Chen, 2021. "Quality information acquisition and disclosure with green manufacturing in a closed-loop supply chain," Post-Print hal-03188234, HAL.
    2. Dahm, Matthias & González, Paula & Porteiro, Nicolás, 2018. "The enforcement of mandatory disclosure rules," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 21-32.
    3. Elmagrhi, Mohamed H. & Ntim, Collins G. & Wang, Yan & Elamer, Ahmed A. & Crossley, Richard, 2021. "The effect of vice-chancellor characteristics and internal governance mechanisms on voluntary disclosures in UK higher education institutions," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    4. Hong, Xianpei & Cao, Xinlu & Gong, Yeming & Chen, Wanying, 2021. "Quality information acquisition and disclosure with green manufacturing in a closed-loop supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    5. Huan Cao & Xu Guan & Tijun Fan & Li Zhou, 2020. "The Acquisition of Quality Information in a Supply Chain with Voluntary vs. Mandatory Disclosure," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(3), pages 595-616, March.
    6. Herresthal, Claudia, 2022. "Hidden testing and selective disclosure of evidence," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    strategic information transmission; scepticism; confidence effect; monitoring; penalty; fine; sanction; detection probability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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