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Causes and Consequences of Improvements in the Information Environment for Swedish Small and Mid-Sized Firms

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  • Mari Paananen
  • Annelies Renders
  • Marita Blomkvist

Abstract

We investigate improvements in the information environment and financing decisions for Swedish small and mid-sized firms. These firms are required to file audited annual reports. We create an index capturing accounting standards choices, auditor quality, and board size reflecting information environment improvements. We find an association between increased short-term financing and information environment improvements: The most common actions are to switch to a Big 4 auditor or a chartered accountant and to add independent board members as opposed to changing the accounting standards used. These improvements are associated with a switch to long-term debt and a reduction of cost of debt. Our findings are relevant for the ongoing discussion on accounting regulation for private firms both in the USA and Europe since they show that (Swedish) private firms use other ways to improve the information environment in order to access to less costly long-term bank debt besides adopting International Financial Reporting Standards.

Suggested Citation

  • Mari Paananen & Annelies Renders & Marita Blomkvist, 2016. "Causes and Consequences of Improvements in the Information Environment for Swedish Small and Mid-Sized Firms," Accounting in Europe, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 21-42, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acceur:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:21-42
    DOI: 10.1080/17449480.2016.1156240
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin & Ameen Qasem & Norhani Aripin & Mohd Shazwan Mohd Ariffin, 2021. "Corporate Responsibility Disclosure, Information Environment and Analysts’ Recommendations: Evidence from Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
    3. Dominika Hadro & Karol Marek Klimczak & Marek Pauka, 2017. "Impression Management in Letters to Shareholders: Evidence from Poland," Accounting in Europe, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(3), pages 305-330, September.
    4. Farah Saerens & Stefanie Ceustermans, 2021. "Abbreviated or Micro-Entity Accounts? Effect of Financial Reporting Format on the Availability of Trade Credit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.

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