Westpac Group IFR: Financial vs. Corporate Governance Factors Analysis

This report investigates the determinants of Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) by comparing the effects of financial factors and corporate governance factors on IFR. The study aims to understand the extent to which each factor influences IFR, addressing a gap in existing literature. It uses secondary data from the Westpac Group, including their 2017 Annual Report and financial results, to measure the impacts of financial factors like profitability and corporate governance on IFR. The research question focuses on establishing the relationship between financial and corporate governance factors and IFR. The report references relevant studies, such as those by Agboola & Salawu (2012) and Debreceny, Gray & Rahman (2003), to provide context and support the analysis. The research seeks to contribute to the understanding of IFR determinants within the financial sector, offering insights into the relative importance of financial and governance factors.

Running head: COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL- AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE FACTORS ON INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING (IFR) 1
Comparing the Effects of Financial- And Corporate Governance Factors on Internet
Financial Reporting (IFR)
Name
Institution

COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL- AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
FACTORS ON INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING (IFR) 2
Field of Research: Determinants of Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) in a new look- a
comparison between the effect of financial factors on IFR and the effect of Corporate
Governance factors on IFR. A clear understanding of the determinants IFR is lacking in the
literature. Many researchers have in the recent past tried to study the determinants of IFR but the
issue has not been fully captured. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to interrogate
the determinants of IFR by comparing the effects of financial factors and corporate governance
on IFR to understand the extent to which each factor determines the IFR.
Secondary Data: Readily available data from the Westpac Group is retrievable at:
https://www.westpac.com.au/content/dam/public/wbc/documents/pdf/aw/ic/
2017_Westpac_Annual_Report_Web_ready_&_Bookmarked.pdf . This data will help measure
the impacts of financial factors like profitability and corporate governance on IFR like
percentage of shareholders involved. Readily accessible data on the financial results factors
affecting IFR in Westpac Group is retrievable at:
https://www.westpac.com.au/content/dam/public/wbc/documents/pdf/aw/ic/
2017_Full_Year_Template_Full_FINAL.xlsx
Research Question: This study seeks to establish the determinants of Internet Financial
Reporting (IFR) by interrogating the relationship between the effects of financial factors on IFR
on one hand and comparing it with the relationship between the effects of corporate governance
factors on IFR on the other. Specifically, “To what extent does financial factors and corporate
governance factors affects Internet Financial Reporting?”
Search Terms: financial reporting, accounting information, internet, disclosure,
corporate governance factors, IFR and financial factors

COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL- AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
FACTORS ON INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING (IFR) 3
Merged Articles and References List: Albeit Agboola & Salawu (2012) gives some
insights into the determinants of IFR, their study is only limited to the two major factors
influencing IFR as firms size and type of auditors but they are silent of comparing corporate
governance factors and financial factors. Taking a more general approach, Debreceny, Gray &
Rahman, (2003) sought out to compare both financial factors and corporate governance on IFR.
Agboola, A. A., & Salawu, M. K. (2012). The determinants of internet financial reporting:
Empirical evidence from Nigeria.
Almilia, L. S. (2010). Financial and Non-financial Factors Influencing Internet Financial and
Sustainability Reporting (Ifsr) in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Journal of Indonesian
Economy and Business, 25(2), 201-221.
Debreceny, R., Gray, G. L., & Rahman, A. (2003). The determinants of Internet financial
reporting. Journal of accounting and public policy, 21(4), 371-394.
Kelton, A. S., & Yang, Y. W. (2008). The impact of corporate governance on Internet financial
reporting. Journal of accounting and Public Policy, 27(1), 62-87.
Kelton, A. S., & Yang, Y. W. (2008). The impact of corporate governance on Internet financial
reporting. Journal of accounting and Public Policy, 27(1), 62-87.
Oyelere, P., Laswad, F., & Fisher, R. (2003). Determinants of internet financial reporting by
New Zealand companies. Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting,
14(1), 26-63.