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Harmonisation of financial reporting before the European Company Law Directives: the case of the Nordic Companies Act

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  • Sally Aisbitt

Abstract

De jure harmonisation of financial reporting began early in the Nordic countries with initial discussions reported as early as the 1930s. Legislation implemented in the 1970s was based on a proposal for a common Nordic Companies Act. This article follows the history of this legislation and analyses it with a view to providing insights into voluntary harmonisation across multiple countries. The main lessons appear to be that (1) Germany had a measurable influence; (2) taxes played an important role which has persisted in some countries, with others resisting change until the 1980s and 1990s; (3) the Nordic countries were among the first to introduce a legal requirement for publication of a funds flow statement; (4) meeting the needs of diverse and dynamic stakeholders was addressed differentially by the Nordic countries; and (5) regional co-operation seems to have been overtaken by events on the broader international stage and the costs of compromise.

Suggested Citation

  • Sally Aisbitt, 2002. "Harmonisation of financial reporting before the European Company Law Directives: the case of the Nordic Companies Act," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 105-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:32:y:2002:i:2:p:105-117
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2002.9728960
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    1. Lisa Evans & Christopher Nobes, 1996. "Some mysteries relating to the prudence principle in the Fourth Directive and in German and British law," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(2), pages 361-373.
    2. Sally Aisbitt, 2001. "Measurement of harmony of financial reporting within and between countries: the case of the Nordic countries," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 51-72.
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    1. Hermes, Cornelis & Oxelheim, L. & Randoy, Trond & Hooghiemstra, Reginald, 2015. "The impact of board internationalization on earnings management," Research Report 15010-I&O, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    2. Hooghiemstra, Reggy & Hermes, Niels & Oxelheim, Lars & Randøy, Trond, 2019. "Strangers on the board: The impact of board internationalization on earnings management of Nordic firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 119-134.

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