Testing the Level of Compliance of International Accounting Standard IAS 38: Evidence from Bahrain

Abstract

This research aims to examine the level of compliance of International Accounting Standard 38 (IAS 38, intangible assets) among the listed companies of Bahrain Bourse. This paper employs the method of equal weighted disclosure index to determine if the listed firms are complying with the disclosure requirements of the IAS 38. The required data for the year 2016 has been obtained from Bloomberg. The research found that firms have a compliance of 35.4%. The regression analysis results showed that there is a correlation between IAS 38 disclosure and the size of audit firms, leverage, profitability and industry type. There is a lack of relationship between IAS 38 disclosure and age & size of the company. This research serves as the basis of a future study on IAS 38 in different countries in emerging markets.

In order to assure high performance and implementation of IAS 38, all firms listed in Bahrain Bourse ought to increase the level of compliance.