search query: @indexterm privatization / total: 703
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Author: | Guedhami, O. Pittman, J.A. Saffar, W. |
Title: | Auditor choice in privatized firms: Empirical evidence on the role of state and foreign owners |
Journal: | Journal of Accounting & Economics
2009 : DEC, VOL. 48:2-3, p. 151-171 |
Index terms: | auditors privatization disclosure corporate governance shareholders |
Language: | eng |
Abstract: | This study examines the link between the political economy and accounting transparency by investigating the importance of shareholders' proportionate holdings to auditor choice. A unique dataset of 176 privatizations from 32 countries is used. The results reveal strong, robust evidence that privatized firms worldwide become less (more) likely to appoint a Big Four auditor with the extent of state (foreign) ownership, which is consistent with the predictions on shareholders' diverging interests in high-quality financial reporting manifesting in auditor choice. Furthermore, the relations between shareholders' equity stakes and auditor choice are found to strengthen when country-level governance institutions are weaker. |
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