Title: Stakeholders' perceptions on the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards by small and medium-sized enterprises: a multidimensional analysis

Authors: Cristiane Benetti; Luciane Reginato; Edgard Cornacchione; Joshua Onome Imoniana

Addresses: Department of Finance, Accounting, Audit, Control, Economics and Law, ICN Business School ARTEM, 86 Rue du Sergent Blandan, 54000, Nancy, France; Centre Européen de Recherche en Économie Financière et Gestion des Entreprises (CEREFIGE) (EA 3942), Université de Lorraine, 23-25 Rue Baron Louis, 54000, Nancy, France ' University of Sao Paulo, Ave. Luciano Gualberto, 908, FEA3, 218, 05508-210, Brazil ' University of Sao Paulo, Ave. Luciano Gualberto, 908, FEA3, 223, 05508-210, Brazil ' University of Sao Paulo, Ave. Luciano Gualberto, 908, FEA3, 218, 05508-210, Brazil

Abstract: The adoption of IFRS brings benefits in terms of earnings quality and comparability, but also increases the costs associated with its implementation for public companies. This study examines the perceptions of accounting practitioners in France (developed country) and Brazil (emerging country) regarding the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We collected 173 fully or partially completed questionnaires from French and Brazilian practitioners. This study uses descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation tests, means comparison, and multiple correspondence analysis to examine the data corpora. Results indicate that IFRS adoption by Brazilian practitioners gives them an edge over French practitioners on aspects relating to increased recognition of unrealised gains and a possible increase in access to the international capital market. This study adds to the literature by providing country-by-country evidence that Brazilian practitioners are more supportive of the adoption of IFRS than their French counterparts.

Keywords: International Financial Reporting Standards; IFRS; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; emerging countries; accounting practitioners; Brazil; France; multiple correspondence analysis; MCA; gender; culture; fair value.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2025.145261

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2025 Vol.17 No.2, pp.129 - 155

Accepted: 24 Jun 2023
Published online: 31 Mar 2025 *

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