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Operating asymmetries and non-linear spline correction in discretionary accrual models

Author

Listed:
  • Rajiv D. Banker

    (Temple University)

  • Dmitri Byzalov

    (Temple University)

  • Shunlan Fang

    (Kent State University)

  • Byunghoon Jin

    (Marist College)

Abstract

Earnings management research often uses discretionary accruals from Jones-type models. These models assume a linear relation between sales changes and accruals. However, we predict and find that sales changes have a non-linear asymmetric effect on accruals through managers’ operating decisions. By forcing a linear specification on this non-linear effect, the modified Jones model overestimates (underestimates) discretionary accruals for moderate (extreme) sales changes. This non-linear bias causes excessive type-I error in tests of positive (negative) discretionary accruals for subsamples with moderate (extreme) sales growth. The literature often controls for non-linearities using performance matching (Kothari et al. in J Account Econ 39(1):163–197, 2005). However, we show that this approach leads to false inferences due to matching on the dependent variable. We use a flexible non-linear spline specification to control for the non-linear operating effect of sales changes. Our method successfully mitigates the bias, improves type-I errors without sacrificing test power, and changes inferences about major prior findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajiv D. Banker & Dmitri Byzalov & Shunlan Fang & Byunghoon Jin, 2020. "Operating asymmetries and non-linear spline correction in discretionary accrual models," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 54(3), pages 803-850, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:54:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s11156-019-00808-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-019-00808-5
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    2. Wulung Li & Ramachandran Natarajan & Yan Zhao & Kenneth Zheng, 2021. "The effect of management control mechanisms through risk-taking incentives on asymmetric cost behavior," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 219-243, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sales growth; Non-linearity; Performance matching; Misspecification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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