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Does financial information presentation format matter? Evidence from Chinese firms’ reporting of research and development expense

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  • Partha Mohanram

    (University of Toronto)

  • Wei Sun

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Baohua Xin

    (University of Toronto)

  • Jigao Zhu

    (University of International Business and Economics)

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of a regulatory change in China of the presentation format for research and development (R&D) expense, which mandates public firms to explicitly present R&D expense on their income statements. We predict that this regulation will impact nonstate-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), which care about stock market valuation, more than state-owned enterprises (SOEs). We find that non-SOEs report significantly higher R&D expense post regulation. Furthermore, the R&D increase strengthens for firms facing higher peer pressure to pursue R&D and high-tech firms and weakens for firms with higher institutional investment. The positive valuation implication of R&D diminishes post regulation, suggesting that investors discount the increase in R&D expense. An additional analysis shows that firms’ innovation efficiency decreases post regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Partha Mohanram & Wei Sun & Baohua Xin & Jigao Zhu, 2025. "Does financial information presentation format matter? Evidence from Chinese firms’ reporting of research and development expense," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 1638-1682, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:30:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11142-024-09868-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-024-09868-y
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    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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