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Unraveling the impact of social media on accounting information disclosure: does government supervision matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Jackie Zhanbiao Li

    (Affiliated Banan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
    Curtin Univeristy Faculty of Business)

  • Saeed Awadh Bin-Nashwan

    (College of Commerce and Business Administration Dhofar University)

  • Yingqian Lao

    (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University)

  • Chai Lee Goi

    (Curtin Univeristy Faculty of Business)

  • Yew Hua Ling

    (Curtin Univeristy Faculty of Business)

Abstract

The growing influence of social media plays a pivotal role in enhancing corporate governance capabilities, thereby contributing to the quality of accounting information disclosure. Relying on a large sample comprising 19,889 A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in China, spanning the period from 2012 to 2022, this research aims to empirically assess the impact of social media on accounting information disclosure of Chinese-listed companies while also investigating the moderating effect of government supervision. We found a positive relationship between increased social media usage and the heightened quality of accounting information disclosure. Specifically, a rise in negative coverage within social media is associated with a more substantial improvement in the quality of corporate accounting information disclosure. Furthermore, when social media usage attracts the moderating effect of government supervision, the positive impact on enhancing the quality of corporate accounting information disclosure becomes more evident. This research contributes theoretically by enriching existing research on the relationship between social media, government supervision, and accounting information disclosure. In practical terms, it serves as a valuable reference for fostering the healthy development of China’s capital market.

Suggested Citation

  • Jackie Zhanbiao Li & Saeed Awadh Bin-Nashwan & Yingqian Lao & Chai Lee Goi & Yew Hua Ling, 2025. "Unraveling the impact of social media on accounting information disclosure: does government supervision matter?," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05544-x
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05544-x
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