Determinants of risk disclosure compliance in Malawi: a mixed-method approach

The purpose of this paper is to investigate compliance with risk disclosure requirements under International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 7 by Malawian Stock Exchange-listed companies over a three-year period. Specifically, the paper examines the extent and determinants of risk disclosure compliance with IFRS 7.

The study uses a mixed-method approach. The quantitative approach employs the research index methodology and uses panel data regression analysis to examine the relationship between proportion of non-executive directors (NEDs), size, gearing and profitability and the extent of risk disclosure compliance. The results of the panel data regression analysis are triangulated by the qualitative research approach in the form of personal interviews with company managers.

The results indicate that over the three years, the extent of compliance with IFRS 7 is, on average, 40 per cent which is very low. The regression results suggest that NEDs, size and gearing are significantly and positively associated with the extent of risk disclosure compliance under IFRS 7. The results of qualitative approach are mixed since some support and whilst others contradict the regression results.

The sample size is very small which may affect the generalisability of the study.

The use of a mixed-methods approach to examine the determinants of risk disclosure compliance provides additional insights not provided in prior studies. The contradicting results suggest that more research using the mixed approach is required to provide more robust evidence of the determinants of risk disclosure compliance.