Tom Van Caneghem

Article Contribution and Subsequent Citation Rates: Evidence from European Accounting Review

Recent investigations suggest that research assessments are mainly based on publication counts and journal level and, hence, fail at capturing the multifaceted nature of research performance. Instead, some commentators indicate that focus on the articles contribution would stimulate a more polycentric approach to research. In the current study we investigate the role of an articles contribution on its citations. In doing this, we gather data from European Accounting Review, an outlet that plays an instrumental role in the dissemination of Europe-based accounting research and that holds a long tradition of tolerance towards the use of diverse research methods and paradigms. We employ proxies to evaluate the objective contribution of an article as well as author reputation. Our findings suggest that articles are cited for their contribution rather than as a result of the characteristics of their authors. Our study also poses some suggestions to capture the multifaceted nature of research performance.Recent investigations suggest that research assessments are mainly based on publication counts and journal level and, hence, fail at capturing the multifaceted nature of research performance. Instead, some commentators indicate that focus on the articles contribution would stimulate a more polycentric approach to research. In the current study we investigate the role of an articles contribution on its citations. In doing this, we gather data from European Accounting Review, an outlet that plays an instrumental role in the dissemination of Europe-based accounting research and that holds a long tradition of tolerance towards the use of diverse research methods and paradigms. We employ proxies to evaluate the objective contribution of an article as well as author reputation. Our findings suggest that articles are cited for their contribution rather than as a result of the characteristics of their authors. Our study also poses some suggestions to capture the multifaceted nature of research performance.

Intra‐industry conformity in dividend policy

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of intra-industry conformity tendencies on dividend policy among a large sample of US firms. Design/methodology/approach - The paper explores mimetic influences on dividend policy. Consistent with prior institutional research, the paper measures mimetic pressures as institutional prevalence or the pervasiveness of a feature of dividend policy within a firms relevant environment. Findings - The results reveal a significantly positive relationship between the lagged density of firms in the industry that pay a dividend and the probability of a focal firm paying a dividend. Moreover, for firms paying a dividend, results indicate that higher similarity in dividend payout among firms in the same industry induces more conformity between a focal firm and average industry practice. Overall, results are consistent with imitation in dividend policy. Research limitations/implications - The results support the view that future research on dividend policy should value social and behavioral factors more explicitly in order to arrive at a more overall and consistent explanation of firms dividend policy. Moreover, the results also illustrate the relevance of alternative theories in explaining dividend policy. Practical implications - The results show that intra-industry benchmarking of dividend policy plays a significant role in the USA. Originality/value - This study documents the relevance of social imitation mechanisms behind dividend payout behavior and therefore adds to the current knowledge of the impact of behavioral processes on dividend policy.

Information Availability, Information Quality and the Financial Structure of Belgian SMEs

In this paper we test whether the amount and/or quality of financial statement information affect the financial structure of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We explore this issue for Belgian SMEs because there are important differences in disclosure and audit requirements among them. Consistent with the traditional view that asymmetric or incomplete information restricts access to external funds, our results indicate that both the amount and the quality of financial statement information are positively related to SME leverage. In addition, we find that leverage is positively related to asset structure, growth (prospects) and median industry leverage; and negatively related to firm age and profitability.

Nonprofit organizations’ choice in favor of a sector expert auditor: a study of behavioral choice criteria

From 2006 onwards very large Belgian nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are legally required to appoint an external auditor. In this context we investigate whether auditor choice in favor of a sector expert, being a higher quality auditor, is associated with NPOs’ expectations regarding several auditor attributes. We find that NPOs are more likely to choose a sector expert if they attach higher importance to an auditor’s client focus and relationship with management. NPOs are less likely to choose a sector expert if they care more about the practical execution of the audit. We provide recommendations for increasing the appeal of sector expertise as valuable auditor attribute. The resulting quality increase of NPOs’ financial statements and audit reports could benefit various stakeholders.