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Output-based measurement of accounting comparability: A survey of empirical proxies

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  • Gross, Christian
  • Perotti, Pietro

Abstract

Accounting comparability has been the subject of significant interest in empirical financial accounting research. Recent literature, particularly that following De Franco et al.’s (2011) influential study, has focused on utilizing the output of the financial reporting process to measure accounting comparability. In this paper, we conduct an early survey of studies using output-based measures of comparability. We provide two distinct contributions to the literature. First, we describe and comment on four important measurement concepts as well as the studies that introduced them. With this methodological contribution, we aim to facilitate the measurement choice for empirical accounting researchers engaged in comparability research. Second, we classify the sub-streams of literature and related studies. In providing this content-related contribution, we sum up what has already been achieved in output-based accounting comparability research and highlight potential areas for prospective research. As a whole, our study attempts to guide empirical researchers who (plan to) undertake studies on accounting comparability in selecting relevant topics and choosing adequate approaches to measurement.

Suggested Citation

  • Gross, Christian & Perotti, Pietro, 2017. "Output-based measurement of accounting comparability: A survey of empirical proxies," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 1-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joacli:v:39:y:2017:i:c:p:1-22
    DOI: 10.1016/j.acclit.2017.09.002
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    1. Gus De Franco & S.P. Kothari & Rodrigo S. Verdi, 2011. "The Benefits of Financial Statement Comparability," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(4), pages 895-931, September.
    2. E. Barbu & Baker C. R., 2007. "Evolution of research on international accounting harmonization : a historical and insitutional perspective," Post-Print halshs-00325856, HAL.
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    11. Holger Daske & Luzi Hail & Christian Leuz & Rodrigo Verdi, 2013. "Adopting a Label: Heterogeneity in the Economic Consequences Around IAS/IFRS Adoptions," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 495-547, June.
    12. Christian Gross, 2016. "The Effect of the German Accounting Law Modernization Act on the Comparability of Private Local GAAP and IFRS Firms," Schmalenbach Business Review, Springer;Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft, vol. 17(3), pages 423-460, December.
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    14. DeFond, Mark & Hu, Xuesong & Hung, Mingyi & Li, Siqi, 2011. "The impact of mandatory IFRS adoption on foreign mutual fund ownership: The role of comparability," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 240-258, April.
    15. Sanjeev Bhojraj & Charles M. C. Lee & Derek K. Oler, 2003. "What's My Line? A Comparison of Industry Classification Schemes for Capital Market Research," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(5), pages 745-774, December.
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    18. Joanne Horton & George Serafeim & Ioanna Serafeim, 2013. "Does Mandatory IFRS Adoption Improve the Information Environment?," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 388-423, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wil Martens & Prem W. S. Yapa & Maryam Safari, 2020. "The Impact of Financial Statement Comparability on Earnings Management: Evidence from Frontier Markets," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Meshram, Vedprakash Vasantrao & Arora, Jagriti, 2021. "Accounting constructs and economic consequences of IFRS adoption in India," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    3. Shijiao Cao & Jianqiong Wang, 2023. "Longitudinal accounting comparability and bond credit spreads: Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 1953-1981, June.
    4. Cao, Shijiao & Wang, Jianqiong & Zhou, Jianan, 2022. "Pricing like things alike: The role of financial statement comparability in bond pricing," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 428-447.
    5. Kim, Junwoo & Kim, Robert & Kim, Sangwan, 2020. "Does financial statement comparability mitigate delayed trading volume before earnings announcements?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 62-75.
    6. Solomon Opare & Muhammad Nurul Houqe & Tony van Zijl, 2021. "Meta‐analysis of the Impact of Adoption of IFRS on Financial Reporting Comparability, Market Liquidity, and Cost of Capital," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 57(3), pages 502-556, September.
    7. Riccardo Macchioni & Alessandra Allini & Martina Prisco, 2022. "The role of the Big Four audit firms and the legal system in non-GAAP comparability," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(1), pages 79-116.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Comparability; Harmonization; Measurement; Empirical financial accounting; Survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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