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This paper aimed to shed light on the relationship between blockchain technology intensity and tax evasion and whether this relationship is moderated by good governance.

Data from a sample of 50 European companies selected from the STOXX 600 index between 2010 and 2019 were used to test the model via panel data and multiple regression. Here, we used the generalized least squares method estimated on panel data. A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the moderating effect of good governance on the association between blockchain technology intensity and tax evasion. For the robustness analyses, we included the comparative study of legal systems. We performed an additional analysis by testing the dynamic dimension of the data set using the generalized method of moments to control for the endogeneity problem.

Expectedly, the results showed a negative relationship between blockchain technology intensity and tax evasion. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the moderating variable negatively affects the relationship between blockchain technology and tax evasion.

To our knowledge, this study supports the existing literature. Firstly, it expands the scientific debate on tax evasion. Secondly, it extends the scope of the agency theory, which is used to explain the phenomena associated with tax evasion. This study is one of the first to examine the moderating effect of good governance on the association between blockchain technology intensity and tax evasion.

This paper aims to investigate the effect of corporate environmental disclosure on earnings management and to further examine whether this relationship is moderated by female board.

Our sample includes 264 European companies listed on the STOXX eUROPE 600 for the period 2010 to 2022. We excluded financial companies (banks and insurance companies) due to their specific capital structure and regulatory requirements, and companies with missing data. Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) regression method is used to estimate the econometric models. For robustness analyses, the authors included the alternative measure of the dependent variable, and they applied the simultaneous equation model for the endogeneity test.

Using discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management, the results obtained indicated a negative effect of corporate environmental disclosure on earnings management. The results suggest also that women on boards are effective in their monitoring role. Indeed, findings show that the effect of corporate environmental disclosure on earnings management is particularly stronger with the presence of women directors on the companies’ boards.

This study has two limitations. Firstly, the sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of our findings. Secondly, our earnings management indicator, based on estimates of accruals, may not perfectly reflect all streams of earnings management. Therefore, to reduce potential bias in these estimates, it would be useful to use other indicators, such as real earnings management.

The findings have several implications for regulatory, investors and academic researchers. For regulators, it is appropriate to promote several standards related to corporate environmental disclosure and earnings management. The results advise also the worldwide policy maker to give the importance of female roles to improve engagement firms in corporate environmental disclosure, so to be more transparent in their accounting practices to ensure that they are not engaging in unethical or fraudulent behavior. For investors, the results show that the existence of female directors on the board reduces earnings management. For academic researchers, it is interesting to explore the relationship between corporate environmental disclosure, women on the board, and earnings management.

This paper extends the existing literature by examining the moderating effect of women directors on the relationship between corporate environmental disclosure and earnings management in the European context.