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Factors Influencing Firms' Disclosures about Environmental Liabilities

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Listed:
  • Mary E. Barth

    (Stanford University)

  • Maureen F. McNichols

    (Stanford University)

  • G. Peter Wilson

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

This paper examines factors related to environmental liability disclosure decisions for firms in industries with substantial Superfund site involvement. We hypothesize that the extent of disclosure about environmental liabilities is associated with five factors: (1) regulation, including enforcement activity, (2) managements' information, including site uncertainty and allocation uncertainty, (3) litigation and negotiation concerns, (4) capital market concerns, and (5) other regulatory influence. Our empirical tests examine the association between measures of environmental liability disclosure, based on disclosures in firms' annual reports and Forms 10-K, and proxies for the five factors, based on information from other public sources, including the EPA. We find that all of our hypothesized factors except site uncertainty significantly influence firms' environmental disclosure decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary E. Barth & Maureen F. McNichols & G. Peter Wilson, 1997. "Factors Influencing Firms' Disclosures about Environmental Liabilities," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 35-64, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:2:y:1997:i:1:d:10.1023_a:1018321610509
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1018321610509
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Skinner, Dj, 1994. "Why Firms Voluntarily Disclose Bad-News," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 38-60.
    2. Barth, Me & Mcnichols, Mf, 1994. "Estimation And Market Valuation Of Environmental Liabilities Relating To Superfund Sites," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32, pages 177-209.
    3. Merton, Robert C, 1987. "A Simple Model of Capital Market Equilibrium with Incomplete Information," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 42(3), pages 483-510, July.
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    Cited by:

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