N/A / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Thesis (S.J.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Michael Trebilcock.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-67).

This thesis examines the economic consequences of the adoption of international pension accounting standard IAS19 Revised (IAS19R) on pension asset allocation decisions by applying a difference-in-differences with propensity score matching method. The publication of IAS19R in 2011 marked a fundamental change to pension reporting in financial statements. In particular, it had a significant impact on (1) how sponsor firms recognise net pension assets/liabilities on the balance sheet, (2) the calculation and recognition of pension expenses, (3) the presentation of re-measurement (actuarial gains and losses), treatment of which had been heavily debated by academics and practitioners, and (4) disclosure requirements for pension schemes, which had been criticised as “excessive” under IAS19. This research examines the “real effect” of IAS19R adoption on management investment decisions. Using a difference-in-differences with propensity score matching method, the results suggest that, on average, UK sponsor firms affected by IAS19R have reduced their risk taking in pension investments post-IAS19R, both over time and compared with a control sample of unaffected US firms (matched by propensity score matching). The results of sensitivity analysis also suggest that UK sponsor firms tried to avoid the expensive liquidity costs of asset re-allocation by switching their pension plan asset allocations gradually during the period around the publication and adoption of IAS19R. Furthermore, the outcomes of sensitivity tests suggest a positive relationship between equity investment levels, and firms’ leverage and cash flow risk, consistent with the “risk-shifting” hypothesis documented in the previous literature. The thesis also applies a manual textual analysis on the comment letters sent by industrial firms to the IASB to provide their opinions on the IAS19R Exposure Draft. The analysis describes and tabulates the arguments raised by these firms on three main amendment areas of IAS19: recognition, presentation and disclosure. Based on this description, this part aims to motivate the empirical research mentioned previously and shed light on the other potential consequences of IAS19R adoption. These consequences include: the management of funding might be driven by accounting rules rather than management rules; the increasing volatility of balance sheet; de-risking in the pension plan portfolio following the adoption of IAS19R; the diminishing of financial statement “true and fair view” and its usefulness due to the abolition of expected rate of return and excessive requirements on pension disclosure. Furthermore, the study also suggests that the lobbying behaviour of these firms on the standard setting process is consistent with the predictions of Positive Accounting Theory.

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Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The Purpose of making this study is to gain a fuller knowledge of the modern pension movement and how it relates to today's social structure, economic forces, and political trends. The first part of the text is devoted to an examination of the forces which have brought pensions to tte significant position they hold today. The next section deals with the problems that arise in the inauguration, administration, financing, funding, and selling of a pension plan. Emphasis has been placed in the decision areas that face management, and how its decisions may affect the structure of the pension field. The remaining section describes the impact that the advent of pensions has had on the capital market, and what we may expect in the future. As a tremendous source of funds for the capital market and no indications of a slowing down of growth, the influence of the future is indeterminable, but the author has endeavored to point out where developments can be expected. / 2031-01-01

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78).

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