AJAR (Asian Journal of Accounting Research) (e-Journal)
Volume 5 Issue 1

Sustainability disclosure and earnings informativeness: evidence from Sri Lanka

RM Nayana Chandani Swarnapali (Department of Accountancy and Finance, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Dec 2019

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the communication that takes place through the sustainability disclosure (SD) route has an effect on earnings informativeness (EI) of firms in an emerging market.The sample consists of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, where SD is a new phenomenon and a voluntary reporting initiative. Regression analysis is executed on the panel data to achieve the study objective.The result reveals a positive association between SD and EI. Sustainability reports may provide useful information that supplements merely financial data, aiding the stakeholders to interpret the financial reporting better. The finding premises that SD enhances EI, communicating value relevant information to capital market participants.SD does much to reduce capital market participants’ uncertainties, thereby aiding them to assess financial information better.The findings of the study confirm earlier research findings that indicate a positive association between SD and EI, suggesting that capital market participants are gradually becoming aware of the value relevance of sustainability reports.This is the first study investigating SD and EI association that is specific to the Sri Lankan context. Owing to the sparse studies done on the SD and EI association, this study should contribute significantly to the existing literature by broadening the geographical coverage.

Copyrights © 2019






Journal Info

Abbrev

AJAR

Publisher

Subject

Description

The Asian Journal of Accounting Research (AJAR) provides a forum for international researchers to publish original articles of high-quality research findings which contribute to academic literature and practice. AJAR welcomes a wide range of methodologies in all aspects of accounting and finance in ...