Determinants of eXtensible business reporting language adoption: an institutional perspective

Purpose This paper aims to examine the institutional factors that influence the adoption of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) at the country level. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a large sample of 175 developed and developing countries over 14 years. Data is obtained from different sources including, World Development Indicators, the Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) website and the Quality of Government database. Findings The results highlight the significance of coercive, mimetic and normative pressures in terms of ROSC reports, the extent of accounting globalisation and education. However, in further analyses, the authors found that coercive pressure is pronounced in developing countries. Nevertheless, mimetic pressure is an important, influential factor for all countries regardless of their status as developed or developing. Originality/value This study responds to the lack of research on the country-level factors of countries’ adoption of XBRL. The present study contributes to the literature by providing additional evidence on the country-level factors influencing XBRL adoption. Using the institutional theory, the authors provide a better understanding of the global diffusion of XBRL, which has attracted little attention. The study also complements prior literature on the adoption of international accounting and financial reporting practices.