Research team
Expertise
Applying International Financial Reporting Standards. Financial analysis of financial statements. Systems of internal control. Tekst analysis, Earnings management. Impression management. Computational linguistics.
Rhetorical impression management in sustainability reporting and monitoring mechanisms: Interdependencies with sustainability performance and impact on financial and institutional legitimacy.
Abstract
Sustainability reports are discretionary vehicles to signal sustainability performance to external constituents. Motives for their provision vary (from signaling the firm's sustainability track record to opportunistically managing perceived legitimacy on the sustainability front). Central to these motives is public perception management. A firm may resort to rhetorical impression management (IM)to strengthen the persuasiveness of its reporting in order to increase benefits of perceived sustainability efforts. The effectiveness of such rhetorical IM hinges, however, on the credibility of the messages conveyed. External assurance, institutionalized reporting formats, stakeholder engagement and internal governance structures may play a central role in establishing external credibility.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Impression management in performance commentary in annual results press releases of listed companies and institutional context.
Abstract
We examine extent and nature of opportunistic tendencies in annual results framing in press releases of listed companies. Artificial intelligence methods are applied to measure explanation profiles and assess their impression management propensity. Next, we will investigate (in an international context) whether scope and properties of regulatory control and institutional shareholder protection affect the occurrence, nature and strength of impression management tendencies in management's performance commentary.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Intra-industry benchmarking of discretionary disclosure content in corporate reporting.
Abstract
We investigate intra-industry imitation in discretionary financial disclosure and management commentary. Imitation of discretionary reporting content and related reporting choices may be conceived as a rational response to discretion and related ambiguity in order to meet explicit and implicit industry norms. This issue is crucial in the current debate on a principles-based versus rules-based approach in the reporting standard-setting process. Neo-institutional theory suggests that more ambiguous reporting properties can be affected by mimetic, cognitive and normative pressures to conform to institutional templates of appropriate behavior. Benchmarking of reporting features on those of other firms within the industry is a basic mechanism underlying imitation. Mimetic and cognitive imitation will be more prominent in reporting issues characterized by uncertainty about instrumentality (means-ends relationships) or about consequences of reporting choices, whereas for other issues normative pressures (e.g., through auditors and external stakeholders) will prevail. We will address the following research questions: (1) What is the extent of intra-industry benchmarking in specific discretionary reporting choices and which imitation mechanisms drive reporting conformity, (2) What is the impact of professional intermediaries on imitation-driven reporting, (3) Which firm-specific factors affect the extent of benchmarked reporting, and (4) Whether and to what extent self-serving consequences of industrybased imitation in external reporting can be observed.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The impact of presentational qualities of corporate narrative disclosure on risks and performances on the properties of financial analyst behavior in an international setting.
Abstract
The research will assess how companies model the presentational qualities of narrative disclosure in their annual reports and how such disclosures affect and are affected by financial analyst behavior. Narratives are portrayed as an integrated component of a company's investor relations program and as interdependent (as complement or substitute) with other reporting modes. Institutionalization effects will be studied by comparing disclosure behaviour of continental-European, Asian and Anglo-Saxon companies.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Narrative impression management and its economic consequences in an IPO context
Abstract
The research will assess how companies model the presentational qualities of accounting narratives and related narrative impression management tactics in an IPO prospectus an how this in economic consequences (short-term IPO valuation).Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Qualitative analysis of the management commentary disclosure process
Abstract
The aim of the project is to identify key factors which affect the preparation of management discussion and analysis reports. We investigate how firms' institutional setting and capital market context affect managers' ability to provide informative disclosures.We use a qualitative approach and investigate differences in institutional setting using an international sample.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Institutional conformity in financial reporting.
Abstract
The study will identify and analyze institutional conformity in properties of corporate financial reporting characterized by normative ambiguity, such as risk reporting, MD&A and cost allocation decisions. Reporting conformity is theorized as institutional imitation behaviour driven by social, cognitive and competitive forces. The study will integrate the role and functioning of external auditors in reporting conformity.²Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Media legitimacy, news exposure and corporate environmental communication.
Abstract
We explore the association between environmental media legitimacy and the quality of corporate environmental communication efforts. Using a media measure of legitimacy, we study the interrelationships among (1) environmental legitimacy, (2) environmental news exposure, and (3) corporate environmental communication. In addition, we explore the substitutional versus complementary role of different corporate environmental communication channels.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Impact of the regulatory and endorsement system on content and consequences of selfpresentational behavior in management commentary of annual reports.
Abstract
This research investigates the impact of characteristics of the regulatory and endorsement system regarding narrative disclosures on form, content and effect of explanatory behavior in the annual management commentary. Contrasting different institutional environments (US, Australia, Canada, Europe), we will assess the relative impact of differences in regulatory regime on the content and value relevance of argumentation patterns and self-presentational narrative content.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
- Co-promoter: d'Haens Patrick
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Narrative communication on venture risks and performances in the field of sound governing.
Abstract
The research project aims at exploring the role and effectiveness of corporate narrative reporting on risks and performances within a corporate governance framework. The interaction of narrative disclosure patterns and corporate governance processes is analysed as contingent on stakeholder management concerns and institutional forces. Institutionalisation effects are studied within an international settingResearcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Transparency in performance disclosure as a corporate governance mechanism. Strategic dynamics and institutional pressures.
Abstract
The research project focuses on the interaction of performance disclosure transparency and other corporate governance mechanisms (stock options, board committees, independent review, etc.) within the setting of strategic management of trust relationships with external shareholders. Three lines of inquiry are followed: qualifying the relative impact of performance disclosure transparency as a corporate governance mechanism, transparency as a stakeholders relations management tool and transparency as an institutionalized process. Institutionalisation effects are studied within an international setting.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
- Co-promoter: d'Haens Patrick
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Determinants of energy use by households.
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Goorden Lieve
- Co-promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Earnings Management Induced by Cognitive Reference Points. An International Perspective.
Abstract
The current study attempts to examine earnings management induced by cognitive reference points. The international sample is composed of a large set of both listed and private companies. The study aims at, among other things, determining whether investors are really misled by this type of earnings management and whether independent audits are able to restrict these practices.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Theunisse Hilda
- Co-promoter: Aerts Walter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project