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Tax Avoidance, Managerial Ability, and Investment Efficiency

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  • Inder K. Khurana
  • William J. Moser
  • K. K. Raman

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the impact of managerial ability on the relation between corporate tax avoidance and investment efficiency. Using a sample of US firms from 1994–2015, we find that as tax avoidance increases, firms with high (low) managerial ability exhibit increased (reduced) investment efficiency, that is, smaller (greater) deviations from predicted levels of investment spending. Supplemental analysis also shows that as tax avoidance increases, strong (weak) corporate governance increases (decreases) investment efficiency. Overall, our findings shed light on whether corporate tax avoidance generates wealth for the firm's shareholders or simply exacerbates agency problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Inder K. Khurana & William J. Moser & K. K. Raman, 2018. "Tax Avoidance, Managerial Ability, and Investment Efficiency," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 54(4), pages 547-575, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:54:y:2018:i:4:p:547-575
    DOI: 10.1111/abac.12142
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    Cited by:

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    3. Liguang Zhang & Wanyi Chen & Liao Peng, 2023. "The impact of tax enforcement on corporate investment efficiency: evidence from the tax administration information system," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 1635-1669, June.
    4. Jaehong Lee & Suyon Kim & Eunsoo Kim, 2021. "Designation as the Most Admired Firms to the Sustainable Management of Taxes: Evidence from South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Fu, Junhui & Chen, Xingwei & Liu, Yufang & Chen, Rongda, 2022. "Managerial ability and stock price synchronicity," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    6. Abdelmajid Hmaittane & Kais Bouslah & Bouchra M’Zali & Imane Ibariouen, 2022. "Corporate Sustainability and Cost of Equity Capital: Do Managerial Abilities Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Sabri Boubaker & Imen Derouiche & Hung Nguyen, 2022. "Voluntary disclosure, tax avoidance and family firms," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(1), pages 129-158, March.
    8. Bronwyn McCredie & Kerrie Sadiq & Larelle Chapple, 2019. "Navigating the fourth industrial revolution: Taxing automation for fiscal sustainability," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(4), pages 648-664, November.
    9. Puspita Ghaniy Anggraini & Mahfud Sholihin, 2023. "What do we know about managerial ability? A systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(1), pages 1-30, February.
    10. Asiri, Mohammed & Al-Hadi, Ahmed & Taylor, Grantley & Duong, Lien, 2020. "Is corporate tax avoidance associated with investment efficiency?," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    11. Qamar uz Zaman & M. Kabir Hassan & Arshad Hafiz Muhammad, 2020. "Managerial Efficiency and Corporate Leverage Policy in Pakistan," Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance (AAMJAF), Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, vol. 16(2), pages 25-46.

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