Corporate Governance and Investment Efficiency: What Is the Role of Financial Statement Comparability?

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between corporate governance, investment efficiency, and financial statement comparability as a mediating factor. Using the System Generalized Method of Moments (Sys GMM), we analyze data from 227 Vietnamese firms between 2016 and 2022 to investigate how financial statement comparability influences the effect of corporate governance on investment efficiency. The selection of Sys GMM is based on its ability to address endogeneity issues and manage dynamic panel data, thereby guaranteeing reliable and coherent evaluations of the interconnections among the various factors. Our findings show that corporate governance positively influences investment efficiency (β = 0.012, p < 0.01), and this relationship is further strengthened when financial statements are more comparable, as transparency reduces information asymmetry. Model diagnostics confirm our specification's validity (Hansen test: p > 0.10). Unlike prior studies that focus on governance's direct impact, this research uniquely establishes financial statement comparability as a mediating mechanism, bridging corporate governance and investment efficiency. It provides valuable insights for decision-makers, regulators, and professionals aiming to enhance corporate governance and financial reporting comparability, fostering a more transparent and efficient investment environment.