Transparency, Financial Accounting Information, and Corporate Governance

Bushman, Robert M.; Smith, Abbie J.

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Transparency, Financial Accounting Information, and Corporate Governance

Economic Policy Review, Vol. 9, No. 1, April 2003

23 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2005

See all articles by Robert M. Bushman

Robert M. Bushman

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School

Abbie J. Smith

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

Abstract

Audited financial statements along with supporting disclosures form the foundation of the firm-specific information set available to investors and regulators. In this paper, the authors discuss economics-based research focused on the properties of accounting systems and the surrounding institutional environment important to effective governance of firms. They provide a framework for understanding the operation of accounting information in an economy, discuss a broad range of important research findings, present a conceptual framework for characterizing and measuring corporate transparency at the country level, and isolate a number of future research possibilities.

Keywords: financial accounting, corporate governance, transparency

JEL Classification: D8, G3, M4

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Bushman, Robert M. and Smith, Abbie J., Transparency, Financial Accounting Information, and Corporate Governance . Economic Policy Review, Vol. 9, No. 1, April 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=795547