Mohammad Alipour, Mehrdad Ghanbari, Babak Jamshidinavid and Aliasghar Taherabadi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between corporate environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) and earnings quality (EQ).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between corporate environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) and earnings quality (EQ).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses earnings persistence and accruals quality as a measures of EQ. The paper also uses panel data regression to examine the association between EDQ and EQ for a sample of 107 Iran non-financial firms. Two different theoretical frameworks are used to clarify whether and to what extent an association may exist as an explicit relationship between EDQ and EQ.
Findings
After controlling for several firm-specific characteristics, the results show that between 2011 and 2016, there has been a significant positive relationship between EDQ and EQ.
Practical implications
This study sheds light on the relevance of regulating corporate reporting within a setting where companies are already voluntarily reporting on environmental information. Findings have implications for policymakers who have mandated or considering mandating environmental reporting. To the policymakers, in particular, this study highlights the need for incorporating, within the listing rules, minimum requirements in relation to the nature and content of environmental reports.
Social implications
The findings have implications for stakeholders in terms of effective information quality. The findings are important as more environmentally responsible firms may provide higher quality, more reliable and more transparent information to meet the ethical expectations of stakeholders.
Originality/value
This is the first study in Iran that considered the impact of EDQ on EQ. This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between EDQ and EQ by showing that the EDQ in Iran is associated with the EQ.
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Keywords
Mohammad Alipour, Mehrdad Ghanbari, Babak Jamshidinavid and Aliasghar Taherabadi
This study aims to link environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) to firm performance and examine the moderating role of board independence in this relationship.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to link environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) to firm performance and examine the moderating role of board independence in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on agency theory and stakeholder theory, the authors developed and tested hypotheses using original survey data from 720 firm-year observations collected from 120 Iranian companies over six years between 2011 and 2016. In this paper, they conducted static and dynamic panel data analysis.
Findings
After correcting for endogeneity bias, the results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between EDQ and firm performance. The results also showed that board independence significantly reinforces the positive effect of EDQ on performance, and firms with more independent board members are involved environmental disclosure for improved performance. This is consistent with agency theory, which posits that a more independent board of directors can better monitor the CEO and reduce incentives for pursuing personal interests, which in turn improves performance. The results are robust after performing sensitivity tests.
Research limitations/implications
This paper takes the perspective of corporate governance to empirically examine the effect of EDQ on firm performance. This study makes a contribution to the literature by showing that board independence moderates the effects of EDQ on firm performance.
Practical implications
The evidence supports the emphasis that recent policy statements have put on increasing the number of independent directors on corporate boards. This study offers insights to policymakers interested in enhancing the monitoring role of corporate boards.
Originality/value
The study adds value to the understanding of the effect of the EDQ on performance and how board independence influences this relationship, particularly in an emerging economy like Iran.
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Zabihollah Rezaee, Mohammad Alipour, Omid Faraji, Mehrdad Ghanbari and Babak Jamshidinavid
The purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) and risk and to further examine whether corporate governance (CG…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) and risk and to further examine whether corporate governance (CG) practices moderate this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a set of unique, hand collected data (from 2011 to 2016) to measure EDQ for a sample of 762 firm-years Iranian listed companies. Ordinary least squares regression analysis is performed in testing hypotheses after controlling for a variety of firm, industry and year effects. Moreover, several analyses are performed to establish the robustness of the findings.
Findings
The results indicate a negative association between EDQ and firm risk. While board independence moderates this relationship, other CG practices such as CEO duality and board size do not show any effects on the relationship between EDQ and risk. The results remain robust after performing sensitivity tests and under various specifications, including the fixed-effects panel data and Heckman two-stage regressions.
Research limitations/implications
Results are from a sample of firms from one country.
Practical implications
The results have implications for policymakers, legislators and corporate executives, as environmental initiatives are gaining more attention worldwide.
Social implications
Sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental and social performance and disclosure are gaining global attention. This study addresses the link between firm risk and EDQ.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the relationship between corporate risk-taking and EDQ in the context of a developing economy.
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Diogenis Baboukardos, Eshani Beddewela and Teerooven Soobaroyen