Another related explanation for financial information policy followed by companies is signalling. Signalling theory addresses problems of information
asymmetry in markets (Ross 1979; Morris, 1987).
The theory shows how this asymmetry can be reduced
by the party with more information signalling it to
those with less. Whenever there is information
asymmetry between a company and its investors, it is
in management’s self-interest to adequately signal
the company’s value in order to increase the
shareholders’ wealth. There are many potential
mechanisms to signal the value of a company, such as
disclosure, selection of auditors, capital structure
decisions and payout policies (Chow, 1982).
Signalling theory (Ross, 1979) suggests that financial
reporting stems from managementís desire to disclose
its superior performance. Good performance enhances
managementís reputation and position in the market
for management services, and good reporting may be
one aspect of good performance. Financial information
may be used by firms to indicate underlying reality,
and to influence external users when making decisions.
It may be argued that only good companies will use
this instrument, because the quality of companies can
be later observed without difficulty, and companies
would be punished by the market if they sent
inappropriate and unsubstantiated signals (Morris,
1987). Accounting numbers can also serve as a means
of signalling, although one limitation is that conveying
the value of the company via accounting numbers may
be constrained by generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP). Compliance with IAS can serve as
one such supplemental signalling device.