Voluntary Disclosure of Intellectual Capital by Hong Kong Companies: Examining Size, Industry and Growth Effects Over Time

Abstract

This paper investigates voluntary intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) by listed Hong Kong companies. It uses data taken from the years 1992, 1998 and 2002 to give a longitudinal account of voluntary ICD. Company size and industry effects on voluntary ICD are tested, as are the effects of time and level of disclosure on the financial success of a company. We find that levels of voluntary ICD are low but increase over time. Size and industry effects are found, while company financial success is positively correlated with the voluntary disclosure. These findings have implications for policy formulation and practice in relation to the reporting of intellectual capital.