Comparative Study of Transparency and Disclosure Indices In Developing and Developed Countries

Many studies have been developed on transparency and disclosure indices around the world. These studies use the indices to measure the transparency of corporate information. This has led to a wide variety of information transparency indicators in different countries. The purpose of this study is to compare the components and dimensions of information transparency indices in different countries. In addition، the study will examine the comprehensiveness of the indices and classify the researches conducted in this field into two groups of developed and developing countries. Analysis of Variance has been used to compare the extent of transparency and disclosure indices in the two groups. In addition، after a broad conceptual matrix of 773 items of disclosure، 27 information groups were detected. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the usage of these groups in the developing and the developed countries indices. In addition، U- Man Whitney test were used to compare the disclosure level of the companies in the developed and the developing countries. The review of 63 studies conducted between 1971 and 2012 on 8075 firm-years in 32 countries indicate that although the developing countries use broader measures of transparency and disclosure، disclosure level is higher in developed countries. In addition، the findings reveal that the developed countries spend more attention on disclosing their goals and strategies، expansion plans، and industrial environments. However، the developing countries focus on disclosure of Information in types of risk management، corporate governance and ethical، social and environmental issues.