Call for papers: Financial Reporting, Transparency and Corporate Governance: Issues in Volatile International Markets

Call for papers: Financial Reporting, Transparency and Corporate Governance: Issues in Volatile International Markets

A special issue of International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation

Papers are invited for a special issue on how corporate governance developments in the past decade have changed the face of corporate financial reporting and transparency. The special issue’s prime objective is to increase a healthy debate and dialogue on the impact of corporate governance reforms during the decade on corporate financial reporting practices. Via this special issue, a greater in-depth of understanding of issues on this key topic is sought. Given the enormous volatility in the international capital markets, the demand and need for adequate transparency and suitable corporate financial reporting is essential. Corporate governance advocates would postulate sound corporate governance mechanisms are paramount in maintaining proper corporate financial reporting practices, thereby, aiding in easing tensions in international markets. Others, however, would maintain corporate governance mechanism may be of limited, if any, use.

Countless high profile international corporate financial accounting scandals at the turn of the millennium prompted many national regulators and capital market institutions to introduce new corporate governance requirements to improve standards. Revisions and additional reforms since have led to further complexity on the corporate governance landscape in many nations. Escalating volatility in international capital markets since end of 2006 is placing further demands on sound corporate governance practices and the demand for improved financial reporting and transparency to reassure investor nerves.

Corporate governance reformists frequently suggest that changes in international corporate governance requirements will lead to major improvements in corporate financial accounting practices. It follows then that these changes should aid in overcoming issues arising in the wake of present capital market volatility. Despite assurances, there appears considerable division in the popular business press and scholarly literature on whether changes in corporate governance practices indeed have had a positive, neutral or detrimental impact on corporate financial accounting practices. Some argue the enormous focus on corporate governance matters have prompted corporate management away from full disclosure of corporate financial details pertinent to the decision making of investors. Furthermore, it has been suggested in some quarters disclosures related to corporate governance are placing a significant burden on firms with limited, if any, benefit resulting. Finally, increasing reporting of corporate governance details is thought be cluttering the financial reporting process rather than aiding in improving transparency. Question marks arise, therefore, on how corporate governance reforms and their impact on financial reporting will aid in address concerns with the current volatility of international capital markets.

Despite the importance of corporate governance in general, and its alleged significance to corporate financial reporting, scholarly research on the impact corporate governance changes during the decade on reporting practice is still underweighted, particular via an international lens. This special issue seeks, in part, to bridge this gap fostering greater debate and understanding of the association between corporate governance and corporate financial accounting. Papers across a broad range of approaches and/or those incorporating other disciplinary backgrounds (e.g., economics, finance, management or sociology) aside from accounting are encouraged. In accordance with the mission of IJAAPE, research that is both rigorously undertaken and completed, and relevant to practitioners, user and/or policy-makers is encouraged. Whilst papers of a theoretical nature may be submitted, papers of a strong empirical and quantitative basis are particularly welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following questions:

• Did corporate governance reforms lead to better corporate financial measurement and reporting, and /or enhance financial performance?
• Which corporate governance reforms have the most significant influence on changing the corporate financial reporting landscape since the turn of the millennium?
• Has the same corporate governance reform introduced in multiple nations lead to a convergence or divergence in international corporate financial reporting practices?
• Is disclosure of corporate governance information a complement to overall corporate financial accounting transparency? Or is the disclosure of corporate governance information supplementing traditional disclosure?
• Did the approach taken in different nations to introducing corporate governance reforms lead to different changes in corporate financial reporting practices?
• Should corporate governance be a driving force of corporate financial accounting transparency? Or is corporate governance a fundamental component of corporate financial accounting transparency?
• Is there any nation (or region) setting the standard benchmark for disclosure of corporate governance information?
• What mechanisms are being utilised by corporations to disseminate information about the entity's corporate governance practices and standards?
• How comparable is the reporting of corporate governance information across international accounting boundaries?
• Corporate governance codes of practices - are they an assistance or hindrance in improving corporate financial accounting transparency and reporting practices?
• The attempt/move toward a principle-based accounting under new corporate governance regimes is more effective in improving corporate financial reporting?
• Are persistent differences in US GAAP and IFRS undermining benefits of corporate governance reforms in improving corporate financial reporting practices internationally?
• Have reforms to audit committees been effective in improving financial reporting practices and transparency?
• Are boards of directors increasingly responsible for changes in transparency? Or are key board sub-committees having a great impact?
• Have improvement in the quality of the internal and/or external auditor been influential in determining changes in corporate financial reporting and transparency?
• What features of the internal and external auditor have a bearing on corporate financial reporting and transparency?

Important Date
Deadline for Submission: 31 October, 2008