Square Peg in a Round Hole: Comparability and Trade Secrets

Tiwari, M (2023) Square Peg in a Round Hole: Comparability and Trade Secrets. Dissertation thesis, Indian School of Business.

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Abstract

In this paper, I document the impact of knowledge assets on between firms accounting quality. Specifically, I study if financial statement comparability (comparability) is affected by the protection provided to trade secrets–a key knowledge asset. To do this, I utilize the enactment of the uniform trade secrets act (UTSA) in the U.S. states in a staggered manner, as a quasi-natural experiment to the enhanced protection levels provided to trade secrets. I find that as protection to trade secrets increase, comparability reduces. The results are weaker for firms that have more intangibles intensity and that have a higher proportion of
sophisticated users of financial statements. Overall, this paper establishes trade secrets as a determinant of comparability.

Item Type: Thesis (Dissertation)
Subjects: Finance
Date Deposited: 01 Apr 2023 06:50
Last Modified: 06 Apr 2023 06:08
URI: https://eprints.exchange.isb.edu/id/eprint/1685

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