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Intangible Assets and Firms' Disclosures: An Empirical Investigation

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  • David S. Gelb

Abstract

This study examines how research and development (R&38;D) and advertising expenditures affect firms' disclosures. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) mandate that these expenditures be immediately expensed in financial reports, despite the fact that they often benefit the firm for longer periods. Prior studies find, however, that investors consider intangible assets in their valuation of firms. These studies argue that current GAAP, by not recognizing the value generated by these assets, severely impairs the usefulness of accounting reports. I investigate if firms with higher levels of R&38;D and advertising expenditures place greater reliance on voluntary, and therefore more flexible, disclosures such as voluntary publications and investor relations. Using analysts' ratings of firms' disclosures, I find that firms with higher levels of intangible assets are more likely to receive significantly higher ratings for their investor relations programs or voluntary publications than for their annual reports. These findings suggest that firms with higher levels of intangible assets emphasize supplemental disclosures because mandated accounting disclosures inadequately present their financial performance. These results have important policy implications for regulators and investors since they indicate that voluntary disclosures, which are unregulated and unaudited, are an important means of disclosure for these firms.

Suggested Citation

  • David S. Gelb, 2002. "Intangible Assets and Firms' Disclosures: An Empirical Investigation," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3‐4), pages 457-476, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:29:y:2002:i:3-4:p:457-476
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5957.00438
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    Cited by:

    1. Nielsen, Christian, 2005. "Modelling transparency: A research note on accepting a new paradigm in business reporting," Management Accounting Research Group Working Papers M-2005-03, University of Aarhus, Aarhus School of Business, Department of Business Studies.
    2. Samah Rebai Azouz, 2013. "Gouvernement D'Entreprise Et Choix Du Mode De Comptabilisation Des Investissements En R&D : Cas Des Entreprises Françaises Cotées," Post-Print hal-00996788, HAL.
    3. Georgieva, Daniela & Georgieva, Teodora, 2020. "A study of social policies based on the example of the Bulgarian hotels on the Black Sea coast," MPRA Paper 105291, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2020.
    4. Denise A. Jones, 2007. "Voluntary Disclosure in R&D†Intensive Industries," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(2), pages 489-522, June.
    5. Shawn Ho & Baljit K. Sidhu & Fan Yang, 2023. "The response of Australian firms to AASB 138 disallowing the recognition of internally generated identifiable intangibles," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(3), pages 3609-3641, September.
    6. Yuan Ding & Gary Entwistle & Hervé Stolowy, 2003. "International differences in R&D disclosure practices: Evidence in a French and Canadian context," Working Papers hal-00591687, HAL.
    7. Георгиева, Даниела, 2019. "Фактори, Които Оказват Въздействие Върху Оповестяванията За Научноизследователска И Развойна Дейност На Български Иновативни Предприятия [Factors that affects research and development disclosure of," MPRA Paper 98752, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2019.
    8. Nihal Paşalı Taşoğlu & Deniz Akbulut & Aynur Acer, 2024. "The Role of Sustainability Statements in Investor Relations: An Analysis of the Annual Reports of Airline Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-24, March.
    9. Christopher Nobes & Christian Stadler, 2021. "Towards a Solution to the Variety in Accounting Practices of Extractive Firms under IFRS," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 31(4), pages 273-285, December.
    10. Whitwell, Gregory J. & Lukas, Bryan A. & Hill, Paul, 2007. "Stock analysts' assessments of the shareholder value of intangible assets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 84-90, January.
    11. Khaled Hussainey & Martin Walker, 2009. "The effects of voluntary disclosure and dividend propensity on prices leading earnings," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(1), pages 37-55.

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