Determinants of obtaining assurance on extended external reporting by European corporations
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School of Business |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
Department
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Mcode
Degree programme
Accounting
Language
en
Pages
97 + 7
Series
Abstract
Sustainable business practices have become the ideal objective for many corporations striving to secure legitimacy amidst escalating global crises. The role of assurance as one of those practices has gained increased attention among researchers, policymakers and corporate stakeholders over the past decade. With the aim of contributing to that discussion, this empirical thesis investigates the determinants of European corporations’ decision to obtain extended external reporting (EER) assurance. EER offers a broader scope than financial auditing, covering information on the corporation’s business model, future opportunities and risks, along with economic, environmental and social impacts. There are several implications of assuring EER, ranging from enhancing credibility to aiding strategic decision-making and risk management. It also has a significant role in facilitating societal sustainability development goals. As forthcoming regulatory changes transform the previously voluntary nature of EER assurance, understanding the structures influencing the decision to obtain assurance holds significant pragmatic implications. Earlier studies examining determinants of EER assurance, i.e., either firm-, industry-, or country-related, provide conflicting results. Both cross- and single-country studies have been applied with varying time periods. Yet, there is a scarcity of studies focusing on a European setting and all contextual factors. Following earlier literature, a meta-theoretical approach is employed, consisting of theories such as the agency, resource dependency and legitimacy theory. The thesis employs a panel data sample covering a 20-year time series for corporations listed in the STOXX Europe 600 index. The research question is examined using a hierarchical logistic regression, complemented by robustness tests to validate the results. Firm-level factors are evidenced as important drivers for the demand for EER assurance. The size and independence of the board of directors are positively related to the decision to obtain assurance. Additionally, CEO-chairman separation, the presence of a sustainability committee, and affiliation with the utilities industry also increase the likelihood of obtaining assurance. However, contrary to the hypotheses, the results indicate that certain characteristics reduce the likelihood of obtaining assurance, while others show no effect. The significance of the thesis lies in uncovering key factors influencing EER assurance decisions through detailed regression analyses and a broad theoretical framework. In doing so, parts of the inherent link between accounting and sustainability are highlighted.Description
Thesis advisor
Sinha, VikashKeywords
assurance, EER, hierarchical logistic regression, non-audit service