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The effect of mobile device use and headline focus on investor judgments

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  • Brown, T.
  • Grant, Stephanie M.
  • Winn, Amanda M.

Abstract

This study conducts two experiments to examine how investors’ judgments differ when they read a press release using either a mobile device or a computer. Results show that when investors use a mobile device, information related to a specific headline (mentioning a specific part of the news like “net income” or “revenue”) influences their investment judgments more than when investors use a computer. This effect is robust to specific headlines that focus on either positive or negative information. In contrast, investors’ judgments do not differ when they use a mobile device compared to a computer and the headline is general (using the broad term “results”). We replicate our findings in a second experiment and provide evidence that the observed effect occurs because investors who use their mobile device are in a more distracted frame of mind, which in turn increases the influence of prominent information. Our results suggest that managers’ presentation choices may have a greater influence on investors as they increasingly rely on mobile devices to research and execute investment decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, T. & Grant, Stephanie M. & Winn, Amanda M., 2020. "The effect of mobile device use and headline focus on investor judgments," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:aosoci:v:83:y:2020:i:c:s0361368219300960
    DOI: 10.1016/j.aos.2019.101100
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    1. Ming‐Hung Wu & Wei‐Che Tsai & Pei‐Shih Weng & Dan‐Yi Li, 2021. "Effects of investor attention in China's commodity futures markets," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(8), pages 1315-1332, August.
    2. Wu, Haibo & Wu, Chongfeng, 2024. "Mobile device use and the ranking effect on trading behavior: Evidence from natural experiments," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Kim, Min & Stice, Derrald & Stice, Han & White, Roger M., 2021. "Stop the presses! Or wait, we might need them: Firm responses to local newspaper closures and layoffs," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Brown, Nerissa C. & Elliott, W. Brooke & Wermers, Russ & White, Roger M., 2021. "News or noise: Mobile internet technology and stock market activity," CFR Working Papers 21-10, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).
    5. Li, Zhuolei & Diao, Xundi & Wu, Chongfeng, 2022. "The influence of mobile trading on return dispersion and herding behavior," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    6. Downen, Tom & Kim, Sarah & Lee, Lorraine, 2024. "Algorithm aversion, emotions, and investor reaction: Does disclosing the use of AI influence investment decisions?," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    7. Ruan, Qinnan, 2022. "Management control systems and ethical decision making," Other publications TiSEM 3b6dc74f-fd2a-48ef-b1a9-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    8. Chen, Wei & Tan, Hun-Tong & Wang, Elaine Ying, 2023. "The impact of repeated notifications and notification checking mode on investors' reactions to managers’ strategic positive title emphasis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).

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