An Investigation of the Determinants of Voluntary Disclosure by Kuwaiti Shariah-Compliant Companies

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between specific corporate characteristics and the extent of voluntary disclosure (ie, overall, conventional, and Islamic disclosure items) in the annual reports of 108 Shariah-compliant companies listed in the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 2009. Five specific corporate characteristics are investigated: company size, profitability, ownership structure, audit firm size, and industry type. The extent of voluntary disclosure is measured using a self-constructed index. The index consists of 132 items: 86 conventional and 46 Islamic. Multivariate regression analyses are used to examine the relationships between these characteristics and each category of voluntary disclosure. The results show that Shariah-compliant companies disclosed on average 15%, 17%, and 13% of overall, conventional, and Islamic items, respectively. The results show that company size is positively associated with the extent of voluntary disclosure in all three categories, while auditor firm size and industry membership are positive and significant with overall and conventional voluntary disclosure. Profitability and ownership structure were insignificant in all categories. It is believed that this result will prove useful to lawmakers, preparers of financial statements, and others, such as investors.