Non-financial key performance indicators: what determines the differences in the quality and quantity of the disclosures?

Ewelina Zarzycka and Joanna Krasodomska

Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 2021, vol. 23, issue 1, 139-162

Abstract: Purpose - The paper aims to examine if corporate characteristics, general contextual factors and the internal context differentiate the quality and quantity of the disclosed non-financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on content analysis of the disclosures provided by large public interest entities operating in Poland after the introduction of the Directive 2014/95/EU. The quality of the KPIs disclosures is measured with the disclosure index. Regression analysis and selected statistical tests are used to examine the influence of the selected factors on the differences in the index value and corporate disclosure choices as regards the KPIs. Findings - The study findings indicate that the sample companies provide a variety of non-financial KPIs in a manner that makes their effective comparison difficult. The research confirms that mainly industry, ecologists and the reporting standard determine the significant differences in the quality of the KPIs disclosures and the quantity of presented KPIs. Research limitations/implications - The paper adds to the understanding of the differences in the quality of KPIs presentation and the choice of disclosed KPIs. Practical implications - The paper includes suggestions on how to change corporate practice with regard to the non-financial KPIs disclosures. Originality/value - We shed additional light on the importance of internal contextual factors such as the reporting standard and the reporters' experience in providing non-financial KPIs disclosures.

Keywords: KPIs; Directive 2014/95/EU; Non-financial reporting; Sustainability; Stakeholders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:jaarpp:jaar-02-2021-0036

DOI: 10.1108/JAAR-02-2021-0036

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