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Business strategies and annual report readability

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  • Ahsan Habib
  • Mostafa Monzur Hasan

Abstract

This study investigates the association between firm‐level business strategy and the readability of narrative disclosures in annual reports. As business strategy affects the information environment and financial performance of firms, we expect the readability of narrative disclosures to vary with the particular business strategy that a firm pursues. In accord with this expectation, we find that firms with prospector‐type business strategies produce less readable narratives, while those with defender‐type business strategies produce more readable narratives. We also document that the association between strategy and readability is partially mediated by organisational performance, although the mediation effect is rather modest. These findings are robust when subjected to a series of sensitivity tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahsan Habib & Mostafa Monzur Hasan, 2020. "Business strategies and annual report readability," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 2513-2547, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:60:y:2020:i:3:p:2513-2547
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12380
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    4. Zhengguang Li & Ping Li & Xibo Zhao & Ziying Tu, 2022. "Business Strategy and Environmental Information Disclosure Quality: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Heavy Pollution Listed Firms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Jia, Jing & Li, Zhongtian, 2022. "Risk management committees and readability of risk management disclosure," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(3).
    6. Vismaya Gangadharan & Lakshmi Padmakumari, 2024. "Fogging the firm performance: an empirical examination of the annual report readability in India," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(2), pages 211-226, June.

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