Title: Board characteristics and the level of compliance with IAS 1 in Bahrain

Authors: Abdalmuttaleb M.A. Musleh Al-Sartawi; Fatema Alrawahi; Zakeya Sanad

Addresses: Department of Accounting and Economics College of Business and Finance, Ahlia University P.O. Box 10878, Kingdom of Bahrain ' College of Business and Finance, Department of Management and Marketing, Ahlia University, P.O. Box 10878, Kingdom of Bahrain ' College of Business and Finance, Department of Accounting and Economics, Ahlia University, P.O. Box 10878, Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the association between board characteristics and the level of compliance by Bahraini listed firms with International Accounting Standards (IAS 1). A disclosure index is used to measure the extent of compliance with IAS 1. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the association of board characteristics with the extent of compliance with mandatory IAS 1 disclosure requirements. The findings indicate that there is a significant and negative relationship between CEO non-duality, board size, ownership of top stockholders, and the level of compliance with IAS 1 disclosure. The results of the analysis provided in this research should be particularly relevant to regulatory bodies and standard setters. This study might also help when formulating forward-looking disclosure strategies by managing the composition and characteristics of the board of directors. Additionally, the study contributes to financial reporting literature relating to the GCC countries, mainly Bahrain.

Keywords: board characteristics; IAS; International Accounting Standards; corporate governance; information asymmetry; corporate disclosure; Bahrain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMFA.2017.089060

International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2017 Vol.9 No.4, pp.303 - 321

Received: 14 Dec 2016
Accepted: 23 Sep 2017

Published online: 04 Jan 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article