Skip to main content

The Moderating Effect of Proprietary Costs in the Relation Between Ownership Structure and Human Capital Disclosure in Sustainability Report

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Book cover Network, Smart and Open

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between ownership concentration and human capital disclosure in sustainability report, using both the agency theory and the proprietary costs theory . The findings show a negative relationship between ownership concentration and the level of human capital disclosure. The results also reveal that the association between ownership concentration and human capital disclosure is stronger for companies characterized by higher proprietary costs. This study contributes to the literature on human capital disclosure in different ways. First, we develop a wider human capital disclosure index, that could be utilized in future studies, and use this index to investigate the information released in the sustainability report. Moreover, this is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, examining the role of proprietary costs as a potential explanatory determinant, in conjunction with ownership structure, of human capital disclosure released in sustainability report.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Cormier, D., Aerts, W., Ledoux, M. J., & Magnan, M. (2009). Attributes of social and human capital disclosure and information asymmetry between managers and investors. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 26(1), 71–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Van der Meer-Koistra, J., & Zijlstra, S. M. (2001). Reporting on intellectual capital. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 14(4), 456–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Beattie, V., & Smith, S. J. (2010). Human capital, value creation and disclosure. Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, 14(4), 262–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Beattie, V., & Thomson, S. J. (2007). Lifting the lid on the use of content analysis to investigate intellectual capital disclosures. Accounting Forum, 31(2), 129–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Petty, R., & Guthrie, J. (2000). Intellectual capital literature review. Measurement, reporting and management. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 1(2), 155–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, H. M., & Lin, K. (2003). The measurement of human capital and its effects on the analysis of financial statements. International Journal of Management, 20(4), 470–478.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Claver-Cortés, E., Zaragoza-Sáez, P. C., Molina-Manchón, H., & Úbeda-García, M. (2015). Intellectual capital in family firms: Human capital identification and measurement. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 16(1), 199–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Massingham, P., Nguyen, T. N. Q., & Massingham, R. (2011). Using 360 degree peer review to validate self-reporting in human capital measurement. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 12(1), 43–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cordazzo, M. (2005). IC statement vs environmental and social reports. An empirical analysis of their convergences in the Italian context. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 6(3), 441–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Oliveira, L., Rodrigues, L. L., & Craig, R. (2010). Intellectual capital reporting in sustainability reports. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 11(4), 575–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cinquini, L., Passetti, E., Tenucci, A., & Frey, M. (2012). Analyzing intellectual capital information in sustainability reports: Some empirical evidence. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 13(4), 531–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Sveiby, K. (1997). The new organizational wealth. Managing and measuring knowledge-based assets. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler Publishers Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Brooking, A. (1996). Intellectual capital. Core asset for the third millennium enterprice. London: International Thomson Business Press.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Edvinsson, L., & Malone, M. S. (1997). Intellectual capital. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kaplan, R. S., Norton, D. P. (1992, January–February) The balanced scorecard. Measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, 70(1), 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kaplan, R. S., Norton, D. P. (1996, January–February). Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system. Harvard Business Review, 74, 75–85.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2000, September–October). Having trouble with your strategy? Then map it. Harvard Business Review, 78(5), 167–176.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Asanga Abhayawansa, S. (2014). A review of guidelines and frameworks on external reporting of intellectual capital. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 15(1), 100–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Roslender, R., & Fincham, R. (2004). Intellectual capital: Who counts, controls? Accounting and the Public Interest, 4(1), 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. De Pablos, P. O. (2002). Evidence of intellectual capital measurement from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 3(3), 146–193.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Abeysekera, I., & Guthrie, J. (2004). Human capital reporting in a developing nation. British Accounting Review, 36(3), 251–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Abeysekera, I. (2008). Motivations behind human capital disclosure in annual reports. Accounting Forum, 32(1), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Bozzolan, S., Favotto, F., & Ricceri, F. (2003). Italian annual intellectual capital disclosure. An empirical analysis. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 4(4), 543–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bukh, P. N., Nielsen, C., Gormsen, P., & Mouritsen, J. (2005). Disclosure of information on intellectual capital in Danish IPO prospectuses. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 18(6), 713–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Williams, S. M. (2001). Is intellectual capital performance and disclosure practices related? Journal of Intellectual Capital, 2(3), 192–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Garcìa-Meca, E., & Martìnez, I. (2005). Assessing the quality of disclosure on intangibles in the Spanish capital market. European Business Review, 17(4), 305–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Li, J., Pike, R., & Haniffa, R. (2008). Intellectual capital disclosure and corporate governance structure in UK firms. Accounting and Business Research, 38(2), 137–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Firer, S., & Williams, S. M. (2005). Firm ownership structure and intellectual capital disclosures. Journal of Accounting Research, 19(1), 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Oliveira, L., Rodrigues, L. L., & Craig, R. (2006). Firm-specific determinants of intangibles reporting: Evidence from the Portuguese stock market. Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, 10(1), 11–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Cerbioni, F., & Parbonetti, A. (2007). Exploring the effects of corporate governance on intellectual capital disclosure: An analysis of European biotechnology companies. European Accounting Review, 16(4), 791–826.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Eng, L. L., & Mak, Y. T. (2003). Corporate governance and voluntary disclosure. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 22(4), 325–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Brammer, S., & Pavelin, S. (2006). Voluntary environmental disclosures by large UK companies. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 33(7–8), 1168–1188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Patelli, L., & Prencipe, A. (2007). The relationship between voluntary disclosure and independent directors in the presence of a dominant shareholder. European Accounting Review, 16(1), 5–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Li, H., Wang, Z., & Deng, X.-I. (2008). Ownership, independent directors, agency costs and financial distress: Evidence from Chinese listed companies. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 8(5), 622–636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Raffournier, B. (1995). The determinants of voluntary financial disclosure by Swiss listed companies. European Accounting Review, 4(2), 261–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Cormier, D., Magnan, M., & Van Velthoven, B. (2005). Environmental disclosure quality in large German companies: Economic incentives, public pressures or institutional conditions? European Accounting Review, 14(1), 3–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Dye, R. A. (1986). Proprietary and nonproprietary disclosures. Journal of Business, 59(2), 331–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Verrecchia, R. E. (1983). Discretionary disclosure. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 5(3), 179–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Birt, J. L., Bilson, C. M., Smith, T., & Whaley, R. E. (2006). Ownership, competition, and financial disclosure. Australian Journal of Management, 31(2), 235–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Botosan, C. A., & Stanford, M. (2005). Managers’ motives to withhold segment disclosures and the effect of SFAS No. 131 on analysts’ information environment. The Accounting Review, 80(3), 751–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Harris, M. S. (1998). The association between competition and managers’ business segment reporting decisions. Journal of Accounting Research, 36(1), 111–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Hayes, R. M., & Lundholm, R. (1996). Segment reporting to the capital market in the presence of a competitor. Journal of Accounting Research, 34(2), 261–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Nichols, N. B., & Street, D. L. (2007). The relationship between competition and business segment reporting decisions under the management approach of IAS 14 Revised. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 16(1), 51–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Pisano, S., & Landriani, L. (2012). The determinants of segment disclosure: An empirical analysis on Italian listed companies. Financial Reporting, 1, 113–132.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Prencipe, A. (2004). Proprietary costs and determinants of voluntary segment disclosure: Evidence from Italian listed companies. European Accounting Review, 13(2), 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Singh, I., & Van der Zahn, J. L. W. M. (2008). Determinants of intellectual capital disclosure in prospectuses of initial public offerings. Accounting and Business Research, 38(5), 409–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Krippendorf, K. (1980). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Guthrie, J., Petty, R., Yongvanich, K., & Ricceri, F. (2004). Using content analysis as a research method to inquire into intellectual capital reporting. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 5(2), 282–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Dumay, J., & Cai, L. (2015). Using content analysis as a research methodology for investigating intellectual capital disclosure. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 16(1), 121–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Abhayawansa, S., & Abeysekera, I. (2008). An explanation of human capital disclosure from the resource based perspective. Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, 12(1), 51–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Abeysekera, I., & Guthrie, J. (2005). An empirical investigation of annual reporting trends of intellectual capital in Sri Lanka. Critical Perspective on Accounting, 16(3), 151–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Guthrie, J., & Petty, R. (2000). Intellectual capital: Australian annual reporting practices. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 1(3), 241–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Garcìa-Meca, E. (2005). Bridging the gap between disclosure and use of intellectual capital information. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 6(3), 427–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Bontis, N., & Fitz-enz, J. (2002). Intellectual capital ROI: A causal map of human capital antecedents and consequents. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 3(3), 223–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Roslender, R., Stevenson, J., & Kahn, H. (2006). Employee wellness as intellectual capital: An accounting perspective. Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, 10(1), 48–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Pisano, S., Lepore, L., Alvino, F. (2017). Italian web-based disclosure: A new index to measure the information released on human capital. In: Mancini, D., Castellano, N., Corsi, K., Lamboglia, R. (Eds.), Reshaping accounting and management control system through digital innovation. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Husin, N. M., Hooper, K., & Olesen, K. (2012). Analysis of intellectual capital disclosure—An illustrative example. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 13(2), 196–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research has been published thanks to the financial support received by the Parthenope University, Naples, entitled “Bando di sostegno alla ricerca individuale per il triennio 2015–2017. Annualità 2016”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sabrina Pisano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Pisano, S., Lepore, L., Di Vaio, A., Landriani, L. (2018). The Moderating Effect of Proprietary Costs in the Relation Between Ownership Structure and Human Capital Disclosure in Sustainability Report. In: Lamboglia, R., Cardoni, A., Dameri, R., Mancini, D. (eds) Network, Smart and Open. Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, vol 24. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62636-9_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics