What is it about?
This article explores what makes financial information reliable and high quality in today’s global business environment. From this review, the study identifies three main levels of influence: • At the company level, good corporate governance, honest reporting practices, strong auditing, and oversight by banks improve financial information quality. • At the country level, strong legal systems, regulations, and how companies are monitored by authorities play an important role. • At the international level, competition in global financial markets and how much a company operates across borders also affect transparency and reporting quality. Based on these findings, the paper suggests that managers should focus on being transparent, improving audits, and encouraging ethical behavior within their firms. It also recommends that regulators strengthen oversight and enforcement to prevent financial misconduct. Overall, the study brings together existing knowledge into one clear framework that explains what influences financial information quality.
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Why is it important?
This research is important for several key reasons: a) It supports trust in financial markets Reliable financial information is the foundation of healthy markets. Investors, lenders, regulators, and managers rely on financial reports to make decisions. When information is poor or misleading, it can lead to: Bad investment choices; Financial crises; and Loss of public trust. By identifying what improves financial information quality, the study helps strengthen confidence in global markets. b) It helps managers improve business practices The findings give clear guidance to company leaders on what they can do to improve reporting quality, such as: Strengthening corporate governance; Encouraging transparency; and Improving audit processes. This can lead to better internal decision-making and improved relationships with investors and stakeholders. c) It informs policymakers and regulators The study highlights the importance of strong regulatory systems and supervision. This is useful for governments and regulatory bodies when designing policies to: Monitor financial reporting; Enforce compliance; and Reduce fraud and manipulation. d) It brings scattered research together Before this paper, many studies examined financial information quality separately at firm, country, or global levels. This research is important because it systematically combines all these perspectives into one comprehensive framework. This makes it easier for researchers and practitioners to understand the full picture.
Perspectives
This manuscript is particularly valuable because it addresses a fundamental issue in modern business: trust. In an era of globalization and increasingly complex financial transactions, it is easy for information to become distorted, misunderstood, or manipulated. This study recognizes that financial information quality is not shaped by just one factor but by a combination of company behavior, national regulations, and international market pressures. What stands out is the practical nature of the recommendations. The manuscript does not remain purely theoretical — it offers clear guidance for both managers and regulators. This makes it especially relevant for real-world application. By carefully reviewing a large body of existing research, the paper provides a solid and credible foundation for its conclusions. This strengthens its usefulness as a reference point for future studies. Overall, the manuscript contributes meaningfully to improving transparency, accountability, and sustainability in global financial systems. It encourages businesses and institutions to take responsibility for the accuracy of financial information, which ultimately benefits economies, investors, and society as a whole.
Antonio Carrizo Moreira
Universidade Aberta
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Factors influencing the quality of financial information: A systematic literature review, South African Journal of Accounting Research, July 2024, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10291954.2024.2366169.
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