{"title":"Data breach notification laws and the cost of private debt","authors":"Nishant Agarwal, Swetha Agarwal, Chandrani Chatterjee","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101518","url":null,"abstract":"We examine the effect of state-level data breach disclosure mandates (DBN laws) on the cost of private debt. Using the staggered passage of DBN laws across the U.S. states, we document an increase in the cost of private debt for firms affected by these laws. These findings suggest that DBN laws increase lenders’ anticipation of cash flow risk from potential future costs related to data breach disclosures. We further document that the increase in the cost of private debt is more pronounced for firms that (i) belong to industries that are susceptible to data breaches, (ii) report internal control weaknesses, or (iii) disclose cyber security risks in their risk factor disclosures. Additionally, we find that the increase in the cost of private debt is less pronounced in firms that focus on cyber security measures, such as investing in cyber security or appointing a technology officer on their board. We contribute to the debt contracting and disclosure literature by focusing on the proactive response of private lenders after the passage of DBN laws to mitigate ex-ante the risk resulting from potential future data breach disclosures while also shedding light on the cost (financing cost) associated with mandatory disclosure practices.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142684386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nurturing diversity in accounting through “Queering” accounting pedagogy","authors":"Lisa Powell, Alessandro Ghio, Nicholas McGuigan","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101516","url":null,"abstract":"This article suggests new possibilities to nurture diversity, disrupt heteronormativity and create space for voices of LGBTIQA+ people in accounting. Whilst past research focuses on and challenges heteronormativity in the accounting workplace, we argue that accounting education plays a key role in shaping sexual norms in accounting. We begin by providing insights into how current accounting education largely neglects LGBTIQA+ perspectives, shaping a discourse around sexuality that reflects heteronormative accounting workplaces. We then build upon the theoretical backdrop of queer theory and critical pedagogy to develop LGBTIQA+ perspectives in accounting education. In doing so, we conceptually advance five lenses through which to design modes of education based on queer pedagogy. These lenses include question and deconstruction of normality, critical reflexivity, discomfort, imagination, and activism. Queering accounting pedagogy in this way can assist educators and students in addressing the concealment of LGBTIQA+ perspectives, thereby critically challenging the hidden curriculum of heteronormativity in accounting. The paper concludes by contending that queering accounting pedagogy can bring possibilities for broader classroom inquiry, democratic participation, social justice, meaningful dialogue, and mutually respectful educational practices in accounting.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142637391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The information content of delayed block trades in cryptocurrency markets","authors":"Luca Galati, Riccardo De Blasis","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101513","url":null,"abstract":"This paper examines the price impact of large block trades in cryptocurrency markets by using a natural experiment in Bitcoin provided by the Gemini exchange. The exchange introduced a block trading facility in 2018, but in December 2019, it changed the minimum size threshold that allows market participants to trade a block and report it with a delay. Consistent with theoretical predictions and earlier empirical findings, we largely confirm that the information content of large trades is significantly lower in the upstairs market than in the downstairs. In contrast with prior research in traditional markets, we find that delaying the reporting of a block traded away from the continuous book discourages informed trading and potentially decreases the informativeness of trading and, therefore, information efficiency. Further, we find that the newly implemented size requirement for upstairs trades increases the total market impact, thereby not working as the intended introduction of a block trading facility.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"15 1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142637392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing ChatGPT for predictive financial factor generation: A new frontier in financial analysis and forecasting","authors":"Yuhan Cheng, Yuming Zeng, Jie Zou","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101507","url":null,"abstract":"The search for predictive financial factors in stock pricing of companies has long been a key focus in accounting and finance, but traditional methods often require complex, subjective inputs. This paper introduces a method using ChatGPT-4 to generate financial factors based on the structure of financial statements and key variables, eliminating the need for numerical data. Leveraging GPT’s natural language processing capabilities and extensive knowledge base, our approach efficiently generates factors that are highly predictive of future returns and exhibit robustness over time, unaffected by variations in different conversational windows. Regression analysis demonstrates that these factors cannot be linearly explained by traditional financial factors. This paper highlights AI’s potential in revolutionizing financial analysis and decision-making.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142637393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Performance management, metric quality, and trust: Survey evidence from healthcare organizations","authors":"Hilco J. van Elten, Berend van der Kolk","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101511","url":null,"abstract":"We examine the impact of performance management (PM) and metric quality on trust and performance in healthcare organizations. Prior research found that PM can elicit feelings of distrust, as healthcare professionals can perceive control as curbing their autonomy. We examine whether the quality of metrics (i.e., their accuracy, sensitivity, and verifiability) can help PM to enhance interpersonal trust in healthcare settings. We mobilize self-determination theory (SDT) and argue that PM using high-quality metrics can address managers' needs for competence and autonomy, which in turn can impact interpersonal trust and unit performance. Using survey data from 152 middle managers in healthcare settings, we find that metric quality moderates the relationship between PM and interpersonal trust, which is subsequently positively linked with unit performance. Also, we find that action control and cultural control are positively associated with interpersonal trust. We complement literature on the control-trust nexus by highlighting the importance of metric quality, and by showing which forms of control can be instrumental in creating a high-trust work environment.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142637394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feilian Xia, James Thewissen, Diego Barrio Herrezuelo, Özgür Arslan-Ayaydin, Shuo Yan
{"title":"Picturing success: The informational role of visual cues in initial coin offerings","authors":"Feilian Xia, James Thewissen, Diego Barrio Herrezuelo, Özgür Arslan-Ayaydin, Shuo Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101503","url":null,"abstract":"Visual cues are increasingly used in financial disclosures to improve information dissemination. While prior research has primarily focused on the informational value of linguistic attributes in financial disclosures, we draw on dual coding theory and investigate how infographics in disclosures affect fundraising success. Exploiting the high level of information asymmetry of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), we find that infographics positively influence the amount raised, particularly when the textual content is highly technical. We explore the mechanisms behind this result, showing that infographics are associated with improved third-party analyst ratings and reduced rating dispersion, which suggests that visuals help mitigate information asymmetry. Furthermore, qualitative, status summary, and startup-specific infographics further enhance fundraising efforts. Overall, visual cues significantly enhance the informational value of entrepreneurial financing disclosure, leading to greater funding outcomes.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142637396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Franklin Nakpodia, Rilwan Sakariyahu, Temitope Fagbemi, Rasheed Adigun, Oluwatoyin Dosumu
{"title":"Sustainable development goals, accounting practices and public financial management: A pre and post COVID-19 assessment","authors":"Franklin Nakpodia, Rilwan Sakariyahu, Temitope Fagbemi, Rasheed Adigun, Oluwatoyin Dosumu","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101466","url":null,"abstract":"Previous studies have highlighted the importance of policy interventions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is limited understanding within accounting literature about strategies to enhance sustainable development initiatives and address the challenges faced in varieties of capitalism. This study investigates the influence of accounting practices and public financial management on SDG attainment, focusing on their interactions. Drawing on a global dataset from 96 countries, we find that both accounting practices and public financial management positively impact human development and environmental sustainability, specifically in relation to SDGs 3, 7, and 13. Additionally, our study uncovers significant differences in these impacts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings, which are robust to endogeneity and heterogeneity tests, suggest that policymakers should prioritise the enhancement of accounting practices and public financial management to achieve the SDGs.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142144492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexander C.A. van Slooten, Paula M.G. Dirks, Sebastian Firk
{"title":"Digitalization and management accountants’ role conflict and ambiguity: A double-edged sword for the profession","authors":"Alexander C.A. van Slooten, Paula M.G. Dirks, Sebastian Firk","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101460","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101460","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the relationship between the anticipated digitalization of the finance and control function and management accountants' (MAs') role conflict and ambiguity. Drawing on role theory, we argue that digitalization is associated with increases in MAs' role conflict and ambiguity because digitalization leads to adaptations in the established role templates of MAs and also introduces new templates for the digital age. We further argue that digitalization is associated with a stronger (weaker) increase in role conflict and ambiguity the more MAs have a watchdog (business partner) orientation. The reason is that the role templates for the digital age are less coherent and clear for watchdog-oriented MAs than for their business partner counterparts. We test our predictions using survey data from 242 MAs in Dutch for-profit firms. While we do not find that digitalization is associated with MAs’ role conflict and ambiguity per se, it is associated with more (less) role ambiguity and conflict for MAs with a relatively stronger watchdog (business partner) orientation. Digitalization may thus act as a double-edged sword for the management accounting profession. MAs focusing on the watchdog role may struggle in the digital age, while their business partner counterparts are set to benefit from digitalization.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141994710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digitalization tensions in the management accounting profession: Boundary work responses and their consequences","authors":"Claudio de Araujo Wanderley, Kate E. Horton","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101455","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines senior finance professionals' experiences and responses to digitalization tensions by applying a boundary-work theoretical lens. Based on interview data, we find that individuals use six boundary work strategies to respond to digitalization, namely, 1. Expansion into business partner roles; 2. Expansion into other specialisms; 3. Defensive boundary work; 4. Cross-functional collaborative boundary work; 5. Boundary spanning/bridging work; and 6. Organizational restructuring work. We also examine finance professionals’ different perceptions regarding the permeability of accounting boundaries and the effects of digitalization, which underpin the use of different strategies. Finally, we shed light on the unintended consequences of these boundary work activities for inter-professional competition, for the nature and scope of accounting roles, and for the future of the management accounting profession, more broadly.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141910576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Uncovering interfirm links through textual topic similarity: A comomentum analysis in financial markets","authors":"Zhiyu Zhang, Zheng Qiao, Yao Ge, Zhe Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.bar.2024.101446","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2024.101446","url":null,"abstract":"Using an unsupervised topic modelling methodology, we construct a cross-firm similarity measure based on the various topics extracted from Management Discussion and Analysis texts. Our findings indicate that the returns of firms with similar textual topics predict the focal firms’ future stock returns. A long-short portfolio constructed on this basis yields an annualised alpha of 17.03%. Further analyses show that the return predictability is stronger for stocks subject to limited investor attention and limits to arbitrage. Additionally, our textual linkage measure can also predict future earnings surprises. Overall, mispricing due to sluggish information incorporation acts as a potential explanation for return predictability.","PeriodicalId":501001,"journal":{"name":"The British Accounting Review","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141994713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}