Exploring the Nature of Material Information: Disclosure and Its Implications

Abstract

Understanding the nature of material information is of crucial importance to regulators and the investment community, particularly with regard to the implications of disclosure. This study examined the disclosure of material information by companies listed in Taiwan in various stages of their life cycle to identify the nature of material information as well as related firm performance and provides insights into their causes and consequences. Evidence suggests that companies intent on fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities are more likely to disclose material information and when doing so, they are highly valued by market participants. Our empirical results provide strong evidence that the disclosure of material information by socially responsible companies is associated with higher earnings quality. Furthermore, mature companies are more likely than growing companies to receive favorable reactions from market participants when they disclose material information.