Title: The impact of firm characteristics and corporate governance attributes on internet investor relations - evidence from Bahrain

Authors: Abdelmohsen M. Desoky; Gehan A. Mousa

Addresses: Accounting Department, College of Business Administration, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Kingdom of Bahrain ' Accounting Department, College of Business Administration, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract: The study examined the relationships between firm characteristics and corporate governance (CG) attributes and IR disclosure among companies listed on Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). An index of 31 items of IR disclosure was used. It was found that of the 40 companies included in this study, 34 (85%) had accessible websites and of the 34 companies, only 9 (26.47%) companies had a separate section for IR information in their websites. On average, the level of IR disclosure by Bahraini listed companies is relatively high. The univariate statistics showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the IR disclosure index and firm size, board size, and board composition. The finding however revealed a negative relationship between IR disclosure index and firm type and firm performance.

Keywords: corporate disclosure; corporate governance; investor relations disclosure; firm characteristics; board characteristics; Bahrain; internet; websites; firm size; board size; board composition; firm type; firm performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2013.052974

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2013 Vol.5 No.2, pp.119 - 147

Received: 28 May 2012
Accepted: 07 Sep 2012
Published online: 13 Nov 2013 *

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