IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/finana/v102y2025ics1057521925001644.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Do narrative-related disclosures in the annual report enhance firm value? New evidence from an emerging market

Author

Listed:
  • Nguyen, Thai Hoang
  • Vu, Lien Phuong Thi
  • Mai, Anh Ngoc
  • Tran, Tuyen Quang

Abstract

This study examines the effect of narrative disclosures on firm value, based on a sample of listed companies in Vietnam from 2012 to 2021. In contrast to prior research, which typically focuses on a single facet of narrative disclosures, this study explores multiple dimensions. The results indicate that firms with a more optimistic tone and forward-looking statements tend to achieve higher firm value. However, no significant relationship is observed between the complexity of disclosures and firm value. Various robustness checks validate the explanatory power of narrative disclosures, highlighting their role in enhancing firm value by positively influencing earnings per share and overall financial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen, Thai Hoang & Vu, Lien Phuong Thi & Mai, Anh Ngoc & Tran, Tuyen Quang, 2025. "Do narrative-related disclosures in the annual report enhance firm value? New evidence from an emerging market," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:102:y:2025:i:c:s1057521925001644
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104077
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1057521925001644
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104077?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lopes, Alexsandro Broedel & de Alencar, Roberta Carvalho, 2010. "Disclosure and cost of equity capital in emerging markets: The Brazilian case," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 443-464, December.
    2. Tran Quang Tuyen & Vu Van Huong & Doan Thanh Tinh & Tran Duc Hiep, 2016. "Corruption, provincial institutions and manufacturing firm productivity.New evidence from a transitional economy," Estudios de Economia, University of Chile, Department of Economics, vol. 43(2 Year 20), pages 199-215, December.
    3. Flannery, Mark J. & Hankins, Kristine Watson, 2013. "Estimating dynamic panel models in corporate finance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 1-19.
    4. Tim Loughran & Bill Mcdonald, 2014. "Measuring Readability in Financial Disclosures," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 69(4), pages 1643-1671, August.
    5. Gus De Franco & Ole†Kristian Hope & Dushyantkumar Vyas & Yibin Zhou, 2015. "Analyst Report Readability," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 76-104, March.
    6. Colin Higgins & Wendy Stubbs & Tyron Love, 2014. "Walking the talk(s): Organisational narratives of integrated reporting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(7), pages 1090-1119, August.
    7. Balcaen, Sofie & Ooghe, Hubert, 2006. "35 years of studies on business failure: an overview of the classic statistical methodologies and their related problems," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 63-93.
    8. Fahd Alduais, 2022. "Textual analysis of the annual report and corporate performance: evidence from China," Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(5), pages 1221-1252, July.
    9. Angela K. Davis & Jeremy M. Piger & Lisa M. Sedor, 2012. "Beyond the Numbers: Measuring the Information Content of Earnings Press Release Language," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 845-868, September.
    10. Li, Feng, 2008. "Annual report readability, current earnings, and earnings persistence," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2-3), pages 221-247, August.
    11. Paul Gompers & Joy Ishii & Andrew Metrick, 2003. "Corporate Governance and Equity Prices," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(1), pages 107-156.
    12. Colin Higgins & Wendy Stubbs & Tyron Love, 2014. "Walking the talk(s): Organisational narratives of integrated reporting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(7), pages 1090-1119, August.
    13. repec:eme:aaaj00:aaaj-04-2013-1303 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Paul C. Tetlock & Maytal Saar‐Tsechansky & Sofus Macskassy, 2008. "More Than Words: Quantifying Language to Measure Firms' Fundamentals," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1437-1467, June.
    15. Jaywon Lee & Jongwon Park, 2019. "The Impact of Audit Committee Financial Expertise on Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) Tone," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 129-150, January.
    16. Marcel C. Minutolo & Werner D. Kristjanpoller & John Stakeley, 2019. "Exploring environmental, social, and governance disclosure effects on the S&P 500 financial performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 1083-1095, September.
    17. Daniel Kahneman, 2003. "Maps of Bounded Rationality: Psychology for Behavioral Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1449-1475, December.
    18. Huong Vu & Tuyen Quang Tran & Tuan Nguyen & Steven Lim, 2018. "Corruption, Types of Corruption and Firm Financial Performance: New Evidence from a Transitional Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 847-858, April.
    19. Samuel B. Bonsall & Brian P. Miller, 2017. "The impact of narrative disclosure readability on bond ratings and the cost of debt," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 608-643, June.
    20. repec:eme:maj000:02686900710829390 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Angela K. Davis & Isho Tama†Sweet, 2012. "Managers’ Use of Language Across Alternative Disclosure Outlets: Earnings Press Releases versus MD&A," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 804-837, September.
    22. Hassanein, Ahmed & Hussainey, Khaled, 2015. "Is forward-looking financial disclosure really informative? Evidence from UK narrative statements," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 52-61.
    23. Feng Li, 2010. "The Information Content of Forward‐Looking Statements in Corporate Filings—A Naïve Bayesian Machine Learning Approach," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 48(5), pages 1049-1102, December.
    24. Healy, Paul M. & Palepu, Krishna G., 2001. "Information asymmetry, corporate disclosure, and the capital markets: A review of the empirical disclosure literature," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-3), pages 405-440, September.
    25. Julia Catharina Jensen & Nicola Berg, 2012. "Determinants of Traditional Sustainability Reporting Versus Integrated Reporting. An Institutionalist Approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(5), pages 299-316, July.
    26. Zhou, Qing & Faff, Robert & Alpert, Karen, 2014. "Bias correction in the estimation of dynamic panel models in corporate finance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 494-513.
    27. Elena Platonova & Mehmet Asutay & Rob Dixon & Sabri Mohammad, 2018. "The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure on Financial Performance: Evidence from the GCC Islamic Banking Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 451-471, August.
    28. repec:eme:aaaj00:09513570210440586 is not listed on IDEAS
    29. Emma L. Schultz & David T. Tan & Kathleen D. Walsh, 2010. "Endogeneity and the corporate governance - performance relation," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 35(2), pages 145-163, August.
    30. Cowen, Scott S. & Ferreri, Linda B. & Parker, Lee D., 1987. "The impact of corporate characteristics on social responsibility disclosure: A typology and frequency-based analysis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 111-122, March.
    31. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    32. Blundell, Richard & Bond, Stephen, 1998. "Initial conditions and moment restrictions in dynamic panel data models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 115-143, August.
    33. S. Lim & Z. Matolcsy & D. Chow, 2007. "The Association between Board Composition and Different Types of Voluntary Disclosure," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 555-583.
    34. Robin Sydserff & Pauline Weetman, 2002. "Developments in content analysis: a transitivity index andDICTIONscores," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(4), pages 523-545, October.
    35. Volkan Muslu & Suresh Radhakrishnan & K. R. Subramanyam & Dongkuk Lim, 2015. "Forward-Looking MD&A Disclosures and the Information Environment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 61(5), pages 931-948, May.
    36. Wintoki, M. Babajide & Linck, James S. & Netter, Jeffry M., 2012. "Endogeneity and the dynamics of internal corporate governance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(3), pages 581-606.
    37. Ajina, Aymen & Laouiti, Mhamed & Msolli, Badreddine, 2016. "Guiding through the Fog: Does annual report readability reveal earnings management?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 509-516.
    38. Doaa Aly & Sherif El-Halaby & Khaled Hussainey, 2018. "Tone disclosure and financial performance: evidence from Egypt," Accounting Research Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(1), pages 63-74, May.
    39. Khaled Aljifri & Khaled Hussainey, 2007. "The determinants of forward-looking information in annual reports of UAE companies," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 22(9), pages 881-894, October.
    40. Tim Loughran & Bill Mcdonald, 2011. "When Is a Liability Not a Liability? Textual Analysis, Dictionaries, and 10‐Ks," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 66(1), pages 35-65, February.
    41. Michael Spence, 1973. "Job Market Signaling," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 87(3), pages 355-374.
    42. Khaled Aljifri & Khaled Hussainey, 2007. "The determinants of forward‐looking information in annual reports of UAE companies," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(9), pages 881-894, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eachempati, Prajwal & Srivastava, Praveen Ranjan & Kumar, Ajay & Tan, Kim Hua & Gupta, Shivam, 2021. "Validating the impact of accounting disclosures on stock market: A deep neural network approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    2. Chen, Jean Jinghan & Song, Peiyang & Loi, Fai Lim, 2024. "Strategic forward-looking nonearnings disclosure and overinvestment," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(6).
    3. Javid Iqbal & Khalid Riaz, 2022. "Predicting future financial performance of banks from management’s tone in the textual disclosures," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2691-2721, August.
    4. Kalelkar, Rachana & Xu, Hongkang & Nguyen, Duong & Chen, Zheng, 2024. "Generalist CEOs and the readability of the 10-K report," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    5. Wolfgang Breuer & Andreas Knetsch & Astrid Juliane Salzmann, 2020. "What Does It Mean When Managers Talk About Trust?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 166(3), pages 473-488, October.
    6. Mather, Paul & Ranasinghe, Dinithi & Unda, Luisa A., 2021. "Are gender diverse boards more cautious? The impact of board gender diversity on sentiment in earnings press releases," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(3).
    7. Chiara Mio & Pier Luigi Marchini & Alice Medioli, 2020. "Forward‐looking information in integrated reports: Insights from “best in class”," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2212-2224, September.
    8. Qian Wang & Duowen Wu & Lina Yan, 2021. "Effect of positive tone in MD&A disclosure on capital structure adjustment speed: evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(4), pages 5809-5845, December.
    9. Boachie, Christopher & Mensah, Emmanuel, 2022. "The effect of earnings management on firm performance: The moderating role of corporate governance quality," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    10. Sun, Li & Johnson, Grace & Bradley, Wray, 2022. "CEO power and annual report reading difficulty," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2).
    11. Ingrid E. Fisher & Margaret R. Garnsey & Mark E. Hughes, 2016. "Natural Language Processing in Accounting, Auditing and Finance: A Synthesis of the Literature with a Roadmap for Future Research," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 23(3), pages 157-214, July.
    12. Volkan Muslu & Sunay Mutlu & Suresh Radhakrishnan & Albert Tsang, 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility Report Narratives and Analyst Forecast Accuracy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(4), pages 1119-1142, February.
    13. Pang, Xin & Wang, Kemin & Zhou, Lin, 2024. "When they say ‘not affected’, what do they mean? Evidence from trade disputes," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    14. Kelvin K. F. Law & Lillian F. Mills, 2015. "Taxes and Financial Constraints: Evidence from Linguistic Cues," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 53(4), pages 777-819, September.
    15. Gehan A. Mousa & Elsayed A. H. Elamir & Khaled Hussainey, 2022. "Using machine learning methods to predict financial performance: Does disclosure tone matter?," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 93-112, March.
    16. Yan Luo & Linying Zhou, 2020. "Textual tone in corporate financial disclosures: a survey of the literature," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 17(2), pages 101-110, September.
    17. Tarek Abdelfattah & Mohamed Elmahgoub & Ahmed A. Elamer, 2021. "Female Audit Partners and Extended Audit Reporting: UK Evidence," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 177-197, November.
    18. Sun, Maogang & Li, Zhengyu & Yang, Lu, 2025. "Inconsistency across short-term and long-term oriented signals: Effect on investor reactions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    19. Wanli Li & Tiantian Yan & Yue Li & Ziqiao Yan, 2023. "Earnings management and CSR report tone: Evidence from China," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1883-1902, July.
    20. Soliman, Marwa & Ben-Amar, Walid, 2022. "Corporate social responsibility orientation and textual features of financial disclosures," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:102:y:2025:i:c:s1057521925001644. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/620166 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.