Examining financial information reporting and behavior of listed companies in Iran

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to provide a model for reporting quality of financial information based on behavior of listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange which is based on structural equation modeling approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses applied research and postsemi experimental method of data collection in the field of proofing accounting research with deductive–inductive approach. The statistical population of this study includes the sample of 128 listed companies in the Tehran Stock Exchange between 2007 and 2017. The behavioral characteristics of managers (hidden variables) are measured by observable variables of myopia, opportunistic behavior and overconfidence of managers. Reporting quality of financial information is also investigated based on the scores accrued to each company and the announcement published by the Tehran Stock Exchange based on the companies' rating in terms of the quality of reporting and proper notification.

Findings

After insuring the acceptable fitness of the measurement pattern and the structure of research in both approaches, structural equations modeling and regression, the results indicate that there is a significant negative relationship between the behavioral characteristics of managers and the reporting quality of financial information.

Originality/value

Accountants have a critical and difficult responsibility of dealing with transactions and presenting them in the form of financial reports that can be used by interest groups to assess the performance of companies. This critical responsibility becomes meaningful when professional and ethical behaviors are the basis for disclosure of financial reporting. Based on the behavioral characteristics of disclosing financial reporting in emerging capital markets such as Iran, this study can be successful in developing new and theoretical literature in this field.

Citation

Izi, R., Garkaz, M., Sayeedi, P. and Matoufi, A. (2020), "Examining financial information reporting and behavior of listed companies in Iran", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 39 No. 9/10, pp. 945-962. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-08-2018-0249