دانلود رایگان مقاله همگرایی استانداردهای حسابداری و FDI

Abstract

Since the development of the eclectic paradigm by Dunning (1977, 1988, 1993), many studies have investigated different forms of location advantages that attract foreign direct investment (FDI). In this study, we consider accounting standards as a component of the institutional infrastructure of a location and hypothesize that the convergence of domestic and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) promotes FDI as it reduces information processing costs for foreign investors.2 We also hypothesize that the effect of reduced information costs is stronger for partner countries whose accounting systems showed greater pre-convergence differences because they magnify the facilitating role of accounting standard convergence for FDI. Using bilateral FDI data from 30 OECD countries between 2000 and 2005, we find evidence generally consistent with these hypotheses.

5. Conclusion and discussion

Motivated by the lack of literature analyzing the country-level benefits of international accounting convergence, this study examines the relationship between convergence of accounting standards and FDI activities, and tests the effect of widespread adoption of IFRS on changes in FDI flows between countries. Our results show three important findings. First, FDI flows are positively associated with conformity to IFRS, suggesting that adopting a set of common financial reporting standards may promote cross-border investments as it reduces the information barrier to FDI. Second, the positive relationship between FDI and IFRS conformity is stronger for country pairs with greater institutional differences, which magnify the need for accounting information in decisions for cross-border transactions. Third, FDI growth is positively associated with the degree of convergence from domestic accounting standards to IFRS during the period 2001 to 2005. As these results are obtained after controlling for other determinants of FDI, in particular the rule of law, it is arguable that accounting standards represent a specific component of institutional infrastructure that is important for FDI.