Corporate Governance Failure to Influence the Communication of Key Financial Data over Turbulent Times

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of corporate governance mechanisms and firm characteristics on financial ratio disclosure over the turbulent 2001 and 2006 periods in Malaysia. It was found that the highest categories of ratio disclosures are profitability, cash flow and share market measures whereas there is far less information reported for capital structure and liquidity ratios. Importantly, none of the corporate governance mechanisms investigated influenced the level of financial ratio communication. The findings in this study have important implications for Malaysian policy-makers and regulators that concerted efforts in strengthening overall corporate governance system and firms' disclosure policy are encouraged if the listed firms are to better communicate to their stakeholders. The results also provide useful insights about corporate transparency.