Accrual-Based and Real Activities Based Earnings Management Behavior of Family Firms in Japan

We have explored the extent of accrual-based and real activities-based earnings management using data from family and non-family firms in Japan. Family firms are expected to have lower agency costs because family shareholders and management are more congruent in their pursuit of mutual firm goals and seek lower levels of earnings management. However, this collusion may lead to entrenchment and higher levels of earnings management, which becomes opaque to outside shareholders. A founding family is concerned with the reputation of their firm for sustained socioemotional wealth and family firms may conduct cosmetic earnings management to conceal bad news. We empirically assess the levels of earnings management and investigate whether the level will be lower or higher for family or non-family firms, and identify which method is more costly. The level of accruals and cost may vary among the family firm