Title: Corporate governance and R&D disclosure in listed French companies

Authors: Ahmed Zemzem; Sameh Mekaoui; Yokna Karoui

Addresses: High Institute of Business Studies, University of Sousse, Sahloul III, PO Box 40, 4054, Sousse, Tunisia ' High Institute of Accounting and Business Administration, University of Manouba, Manouba Campus, Tunis 2010, Tunisia ' High Institute of Accounting and Business Administration, University of Manouba, Manouba Campus, Tunis 2010, Tunisia

Abstract: Our aim is to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms (board of directors, ownership structure and audit committee) on the level of R&D voluntary disclosure. For a sample composed by 20 firms belonging to the SBF 250 index, we have analysed their annual reports for a period from 2005 to 2008. Results show that the size of the board of directors and the institutional ownership have a significant effect on the level of R&D voluntary disclosure. The family ownership seems to be significant, but at a less significant level.

Keywords: corporate governance; R&D disclosure; research and development; voluntary disclosure; SBF 250; board of directors; ownership structure; audit committee; annual reports; family ownership; France.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMFA.2015.071196

International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2015 Vol.7 No.2, pp.114 - 133

Received: 03 Nov 2014
Accepted: 03 May 2015
Published online: 16 Aug 2015 *

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