An Investigation of Goodwill Accounting Policy Choice within a Specific Knowledge Framework

Posted: 24 Nov 2002

See all articles by Pearl H. N. Tan

Pearl H. N. Tan

Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University

Abstract

This study, using Singapore data, investigates the relationship between Chief Executive Officers' ("CEOs") specific knowledge and the accounting method choice on capitalisation of goodwill. International Accounting Standard 22 (1987), applicable in Singapore in 1996, the year of the study, permits a choice between capialisation and subsequent amortisation and immediate wrtie-off of goodwill to reserves. This study proposes a positive relationship between human capital specificity of CEOs and the recognition of purchased goodwill on the balance sheet. Specific knowledge is unique to firms and is acquired through experience. Given that specialised assets arise from firm-specific circumstances, firm-specific knowledge potentially explains the recognition policies pertaining to specialised assets. Overall, the evidence in this study supports a positive relationship between CEOs' firm-specific knowledge and the capitalisation of goodwill.

Keywords: specific knowledge, human capital specificity, specialised assets, goodwill, International Accounting Standards

JEL Classification: M41, J41

Suggested Citation

Tan, Pearl H. N., An Investigation of Goodwill Accounting Policy Choice within a Specific Knowledge Framework. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=310640

Pearl H. N. Tan (Contact Author)

Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University ( email )

Singapore, 639798
Singapore
+65 6790-5743 (Phone)
+65 6791-3697 (Fax)

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