Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions of external auditors, preparers and users (investors and analysts) of financial statements in Jordan about this new segmental reporting standard; a decision usefulness framework underpins the research.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 external auditors, 6 preparers and 14 users of Jordanian listed companies’ financial statements.
Findings
The findings reveal that a majority of interviewees found that IFRS 8 was not a problematic standard, and that the management approach of IFRS 8 was an improvement on the previous standard - IAS 14R - because the information produced was seen as useful to users of financial statements. Moreover, the respondents indicated that there was an improvement in the quantity and quality of segmental information under IFRS 8 in annual reports for 2009; it was more understandable, relevant, reliable and comparable than the segmental information which had previously been reported.
Research limitations/implications
No attempt was made to assess the usefulness of segmental information reported under IFRS 8 by Jordanian listed companies in their annual reports for other groups such as lenders, suppliers, customers, trade creditors and the general public (IASC, 1989). Thus, a survey about the impact of IFRS 8 on other groups may yield further insights about the decision usefulness of the new standard’s disclosures. However, Jordanians are not familiar with such research instruments and the culture within the society is relatively secretive (Piro, 1998).
Practical implications
The findings of the current research should be valuable for international accounting standard setters at the IASB. It provides some indication about the impact of this new standard.
Originality/value
This research shows that segmental information reported under IFRS 8 is more useful for decision makers needs compared to segmental information that previously reported under IAS 14R. It also provides a great insight about the impact of this new segmental disclosure standard.
The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions of external auditors, preparers and users (investors and analysts) of financial statements in Jordan about this new segmental reporting standard; a decision usefulness framework underpins the research.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 external auditors, 6 preparers and 14 users of Jordanian listed companies’ financial statements.
Findings
The findings reveal that a majority of interviewees found that IFRS 8 was not a problematic standard, and that the management approach of IFRS 8 was an improvement on the previous standard - IAS 14R - because the information produced was seen as useful to users of financial statements. Moreover, the respondents indicated that there was an improvement in the quantity and quality of segmental information under IFRS 8 in annual reports for 2009; it was more understandable, relevant, reliable and comparable than the segmental information which had previously been reported.
Research limitations/implications
No attempt was made to assess the usefulness of segmental information reported under IFRS 8 by Jordanian listed companies in their annual reports for other groups such as lenders, suppliers, customers, trade creditors and the general public (IASC, 1989). Thus, a survey about the impact of IFRS 8 on other groups may yield further insights about the decision usefulness of the new standard’s disclosures. However, Jordanians are not familiar with such research instruments and the culture within the society is relatively secretive (Piro, 1998).
Practical implications
The findings of the current research should be valuable for international accounting standard setters at the IASB. It provides some indication about the impact of this new standard.
Originality/value
This research shows that segmental information reported under IFRS 8 is more useful for decision makers needs compared to segmental information that previously reported under IAS 14R. It also provides a great insight about the impact of this new segmental disclosure standard.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2-27 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Accounting Research |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |