Keywords

textual analysis, disclosure effectiveness, narrative disclosure

Abstract

We discuss the evolution of research on textual attributes in accounting and suggest potential directions for future research using Cazier and Pfeiffer (2017) to illustrate the challenges and opportunities in the literature. We categorize the literature based on whether a given textual attribute is assumed to be ‘‘discretionary’’ versus ‘‘nondiscretionary’’ and whether it is assumed to be ‘‘helpful’’ versus ‘‘harmful.’’ The literature to date has been largely descriptive, with limited focus on causality, and we argue that there are substantial opportunities for research that better isolate the discretionary components of textual disclosure, as well as identifying specific contexts in which a given attribute is more likely to be helpful than harmful.

Original Publication Citation

“Discussion of 10-K Disclosure Repetition and Managerial Reporting Incentives: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Go with Textual Research?” (with Mark Lang and Lorien Stice-Lawrence) Journal of Financial Reporting 2, no. 1 (2017): 133-138.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017

Publisher

Journal of Financial Reporting

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Accountancy

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Included in

Accounting Commons

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