Voluntary disclosure of accounting ratios in the UK

Watson, A.; Shrives, P.; Marston, C.

Abstract

This paper investigates whether the voluntary disclosure of ratios in corporate annual reports can be explained by agency and signalling theory. The two theories are discussed and the applicability to explaining ratio disclosures considered. Drawing on agency and signalling theory, seven hypotheses are tested using data collected over five years, for 313 UK companies. More specifically, associations are considered between ratio disclosure and the following characteristics: company profitability; return on investment; gearing; liquidity; company efficiency; size and industry. The paper finds some evidence of an association between ratio disclosure and company performance, size and industry. The implications of these findings are considered and areas of further research discussed.

Citation

Watson, A., Shrives, P., & Marston, C. (2002). Voluntary disclosure of accounting ratios in the UK. British Accounting Review, 34(4), 289-313. https://doi.org/10.1006/bare.2002.0213

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2002-12
• Deposit Date: Jul 8, 2021
• Journal: British Accounting Review
• Print ISSN: 0890-8389
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 289-313
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/bare.2002.0213
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2777198