Good Corporate Governance as Moderating Variables

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 118 views

Introduction

Effective profit management is a crucial aspect of any company's success, particularly in the manufacturing industry. However, the practice of earnings management, which involves manipulating financial reports to present a more favorable picture of a company's performance, can be a significant challenge. This study aims to explore the factors that influence earnings management in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2013-2015 period. Specifically, we examine the role of good corporate governance as a moderating variable in this context.

Research Methods

This study employed a hypothesis testing research design, which involves testing a set of predetermined hypotheses to explain a phenomenon. The population analyzed consisted of all manufacturing companies listed on the IDX, with a total of 144 companies. Using the proportional random sampling method, we managed to obtain 106 companies as samples to be analyzed.

Research Findings

The results of this study showed that simultaneously, factors such as information asymmetry, company size, leverage, institutional ownership, and profitability have an influence on earnings management. However, when analyzed partially, only information and profitability asymmetry have proven to have a significant effect on earnings management. On the other hand, company size, leverage, and institutional ownership do not show a significant effect on earnings management.

Good Corporate Governance as Moderating Variables

In this study, good corporate governance was measured through the Independent Board of Commissioners and the Audit Committee. However, the results of the analysis show that these two elements do not function as moderating variables that affect the relationship between information asymmetry, company size, leverage, institutional ownership, and profitability for earnings management. This suggests that although good corporate governance is important in managerial practice, its role as a converter of the influence of these factors is not visible in the context of this study.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

Asymmetry factors, particularly information and profitability, become crucial in the context of earnings management because unbalanced information between management and shareholders can encourage earnings management actions to hide actual financial performance. Profitability also affects earnings management, which can be understood because more profitable companies tend to have more resources to practice earnings management.

On the other hand, the results that show the size of the company, leverage, and institutional ownership do not affect earnings management may be caused by the specific nature of the manufacturing industry listed on the IDX in that period. These companies may have a more homogeneous earnings management pattern, so these factors do not show significant differences in earnings management.

In the context of corporate governance, although the Board of Commissioners Independent and Audit Committee are expected to encourage transparency and accountability, the fact that they did not succeed in good finances suggests that there may be other factors at play.

Conclusion

This study provides significant insight into the factors that influence earnings management in manufacturing companies listed on the IDX. Although several factors are proven to affect earnings management, the role of good corporate governance as a moderating variable seems less significant. Further research is needed to explore more about the aspects that influence the interaction between earnings management and corporate governance, as well as to identify the steps that can be taken to increase the effectiveness of supervision in these companies.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, we recommend the following:

Improving transparency and accountability: Companies should prioritize transparency and accountability in their financial reporting to reduce the likelihood of earnings management.
Enhancing corporate governance: Companies should strengthen their corporate governance structures, including the Board of Commissioners and Audit Committee, to ensure that they are effective in overseeing financial reporting.
Increasing institutional ownership: Companies should encourage institutional ownership to increase the level of scrutiny and oversight of financial reporting.
Improving profitability: Companies should focus on improving their profitability to reduce the likelihood of earnings management.

By implementing these recommendations, companies can improve their financial reporting practices and reduce the likelihood of earnings management.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study only examined manufacturing companies listed on the IDX during the 2013-2015 period, which may not be representative of other industries or time periods. Secondly, the study only examined the role of good corporate governance as a moderating variable, which may not be the only factor influencing earnings management. Finally, the study only analyzed a limited number of factors, which may not be exhaustive.

Future Research Directions

This study provides several avenues for future research. Firstly, researchers could examine the role of other factors, such as market pressure and regulatory environment, in influencing earnings management. Secondly, researchers could examine the impact of earnings management on company performance and financial stability. Finally, researchers could examine the effectiveness of corporate governance structures in preventing earnings management.

Q: What is earnings management, and why is it a concern for companies?

A: Earnings management refers to the practice of manipulating financial reports to present a more favorable picture of a company's performance. This can be a concern for companies because it can lead to inaccurate financial reporting, which can affect investors' decisions and the company's reputation.

Q: What are the factors that influence earnings management, according to this study?

A: The study found that information asymmetry, company size, leverage, institutional ownership, and profitability are the factors that influence earnings management.

Q: What is the role of good corporate governance in earnings management?

A: Good corporate governance, represented by the Independent Board of Commissioners and Audit Committee, was tested as a moderating variable in this study. However, the results showed that these elements do not function as moderating variables that affect the relationship between information asymmetry, company size, leverage, institutional ownership, and profitability for earnings management.

Q: Why did the study focus on manufacturing companies listed on the IDX?

A: The study focused on manufacturing companies listed on the IDX because this industry is a significant contributor to the Indonesian economy, and understanding the factors that influence earnings management in this industry can provide valuable insights for policymakers and investors.

Q: What are the implications of this study for companies and policymakers?

A: The study's findings suggest that companies should prioritize transparency and accountability in their financial reporting to reduce the likelihood of earnings management. Policymakers can also use this study's findings to develop regulations that promote good corporate governance and prevent earnings management.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the fact that it only examined manufacturing companies listed on the IDX during the 2013-2015 period, which may not be representative of other industries or time periods. Additionally, the study only analyzed a limited number of factors, which may not be exhaustive.

Q: What are the future research directions based on this study?

A: The study provides several avenues for future research, including examining the role of other factors, such as market pressure and regulatory environment, in influencing earnings management. Researchers can also examine the impact of earnings management on company performance and financial stability.

Q: How can companies and policymakers use the findings of this study to improve earnings management practices?

A: Companies and policymakers can use the study's findings to develop strategies to improve earnings management practices, such as increasing transparency and accountability, enhancing corporate governance, and promoting institutional ownership.

Q: What are the benefits of good corporate governance in preventing earnings management?

A: Good corporate governance can help prevent earnings management by promoting transparency and accountability, ensuring that financial reports are accurate and reliable, and providing a framework for oversight and monitoring.

Q: How can companies and policymakers measure the effectiveness of good corporate governance in preventing earnings management?

A: Companies and policymakers can measure the effectiveness of good corporate governance in preventing earnings management by tracking key performance indicators, such as financial reporting quality, audit committee effectiveness, and board of commissioners' independence.

Q: What are the consequences of earnings management for companies and investors?

A: Earnings management can have significant consequences for companies and investors, including damage to reputation, loss of investor confidence, and financial penalties.