The RPI Effect of Mandated Non-Financial Disclosures

We analyse the impact of mandated disclosure of relative nonfinancial performance information on subsequent nonfinancial performance. We use insights from learning and social comparison theories to posit that disclosure has an “RPI Effect” and drives firms to benchmark and improve future performance. Using panel data from the Japanese National Hospital Organization, we explore whether the introduction of regulation requiring private disclosure of relative patient satisfaction performance to peer hospitals is associated with subsequent performance improvements. We also examine cross sectional variations in performance improvement based on external economic and institutional pressures. We utilize a fractional response econometric model to account for the bounded nature of the variables and to allow for the non-normal distribution of the data. Results show that mandated nonfinancial performance disclosure has an RPI effect and is associated with future performance improvements, which are larger for poorly performing hospitals. Competitive and institutional pressures influence the extent of improvement.

This seminar is organised by the Erasmus Accounting Research Group.