The impact of ownership structure on earnings management : evidence from the Indonesian Stock Exchange

Abstract

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to test whether ownership structure has an influence on earnings management using the control variables of leverage, company size, profitability, and company growth. Moreover, this research aims to find out what type of ownership has more influence on earnings management in Indonesia therefore the authors focus on all types of company ownership as independent variables.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The purposive sampling method is used for the selection of the research samples. This research uses non-financial companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2019 as research objects. Earnings management is measured using discretionary accruals which is a Modified Jones Model. The ownership structure is calculated from the percentage of each share ownership in the company

FINDINGS: The results of this research indicate that there is no significant effect of ownership structure on earnings management in Indonesia. Only leverage, company size, and company growth have a significant positive effect on earnings management.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This research is useful for improving decision making for corporate governance, as well as providing information to academics about the influence of the supervisory role of ownership structure on earnings management.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article expands on previous research by including the type of ownership structure as an independent variable and examines its effect on earnings management in developing countries.