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published_or_final_version / abstract / Law / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The objective of this study is to evaluate the incremental information content of the Annual Report to Shareholders (ARS) and the 10-K. The study defines incremental information content as that set of data that has not been previously released to the public, which is contained in the ARS or 10-K, that gives rise to a resetting of equilibrium security prices. The results of the study have two implications. First, a finding of the existence of incremental information content in either the ARS or the 10-K provides evidence that investors may use the incremental data contained in either report to improve their estimates of firms' systematic risk components (Beta). Second, the results of the study may provide feedback value to accounting policymakers for evaluating their prior beliefs concerning the wealth effects of their accounting policy decisions. The study employs the familiar Market Model for generating unexpected returns. Further, the ordinary least squares regression method is used to derive regression parameters (including Beta) for the Market Model. This procedure has been accomplished for the 312 ARS and 159 10-K sample firms for reporting years ending in 1975, 1976 and 1977. The Quandt log-likelihood ratio and the Chow test have been employed to block the two study samples on the basis of stable regression parameters and to determine which weeks in the study period Beta-shifts have occurred for firms in the Non-Stationary ARS and 10-K groups. Two procedures have been employed in the study. The first procedure has been employed to determine if an unusual concentration of Beta-shifts has occurred in conjunction with the release of either report. The second procedure has been employed to detect the existence of any unusual unexpected return activity associated with the release of the ARS or the 10-K. Using the procedures described above, the study concludes that neither the release of the ARS nor the release of the 10-K affects investors' assessments of firms' systematic risk components or return distributions. Thus, the evidence the dissertation provides does not support an hypothesis that either report possesses incremental information content. Finally, the study concludes that the ARS and the 10-K fail to influence investors assessments and that policymakers must rely on their value judgments concerning their prior beliefs for the wealth effects of the ARS and 10-K.

This thesis examines the optimal role for public relations practitioners to play in managing the communications of disclosure situations. The contribution to knowledge in this work is the clarification of decision-making around organizational disclosures and the role public relations practitioners play in these sometimes difficult and sensitive situations. Decision making around the disclosure of organizational information has not been given much attention in the public relations and communications management literature. While other fields such as medicine and finance have researched the merits of disclosure and transparency for a number of years, the topic has evaded in depth academic examination in communications literature. Given the involvement of public relations practitioners in organizational disclosures, it is somewhat surprising that a model for managing the communications of these situations has not been proposed previously in published research. This thesis closes this gap by proposing a normative, theoretical model that is grounded in practice, and uses ethical decision-making, to assist communicators in developing strategies for managing disclosure events and improving the transparency of their organizations to the public. Using the Strauss and Corbin (1998) approach to Grounded Theory, this thesis explored the topic of disclosure with senior level Canadian public relations practitioners to elicit key themes prior to the development of an initial model which was then tested through further empirical research and user-group contact. The model presented in this thesis is intended to help public relations practitioners and their organizations’ senior management teams, structure their thoughts about disclosing information and develop a communication strategy through a step-wise process that works to find a balance between the needs of the organization and the information needs of stakeholders to make an informed decision about the situation. This thesis provides unique insights into practitioner dilemmas and challenges; highlights a number of important themes and conceptual issues that have not received attention to date; and offers a model for practice.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The objectives of this study were: to understand the process of environmental disclosures operating within a conservation organisation; to identify the nature of and rationales for particular environmental disclosures made by the organisation; and to observe the development of the environmental disclosure policy, media and content of the organisation as it underwent significant change. The investigative approach adopted in the study identified a level of complexity associated with the process of disclosure that would otherwise remained concealed. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1277152 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Commerce, 2007

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The objectives of this study were: to understand the process of environmental disclosures operating within a conservation organisation; to identify the nature of and rationales for particular environmental disclosures made by the organisation; and to observe the development of the environmental disclosure policy, media and content of the organisation as it underwent significant change. The investigative approach adopted in the study identified a level of complexity associated with the process of disclosure that would otherwise remained concealed. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1277152 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Commerce, 2007

Thesis (S.J.D.)--Faculty of Law, University of Sydney, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Accounting and Information Studies, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 8, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-101). Also issued in print.

Thesis (MCom (Hons)) -- Bond University, 2008. / "A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Commerce (Honours)"-- t.p. Bibliography: leaves 100-104.

Thesis (S.J.D.)--University of Sydney, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed 15 April 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Juridical Studies to the Faculty of Law. Degree awarded 2003; thesis submitted 2001. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.