IIMS research seminar "Organizational Networks and Firm Disclosure Specificity: Evidence from Non-Local Chambers of Commerce"
ICSID Research Assistant Jinhai Wang will present at the IIMS online research seminar on May 14th, 2026 at 4 p.m.(Moscow time) via MTS Link. Seminar working language is English.
Abstract. Whether cross-regional organizational networks shape corporate disclosure remains an open question. This paper examines whether joining a non-local chamber of commerce affects the specificity of corporate disclosure. Using Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2024, we construct a disclosure specificity measure from annual report MD&A texts with named entity recognition techniques. We find that firms joining non-local chambers of commerce provide significantly more specific disclosure. Mechanism analyses show that this effect mainly operates through stronger external monitoring, reflected in greater media, analyst, and investor attention. Further analyses show that the effect is more pronounced in regions with stronger collectivistic culture, in less competitive industries, among state-owned enterprises, and in more marketized regions. However, the improvement in transparency is incomplete. Chamber-affiliated firms exhibit more specific non-financial disclosure and receive better external disclosure ratings, but they also engage in stronger earnings aggressiveness and real earnings management. Overall, the findings suggest that non-local chambers of commerce reshape firms’ information production by strengthening observable transparency, without necessarily improving underlying financial transparency.
Please register till May 14th 2 PM here:
https://forms.yandex.ru/u/69f24398eb614678e574cbe0
Looking forward to seeing you!
