Stakeholder theory and the voluntary disclosure of intellectual capital information

Abstract

Stakeholder theory is used to explore the voluntary disclosure of information regarding intellectual capital in the annual reports of listed Portuguese companies. The observed level and pattern of voluntary disclosure is found to be consistent with the managerial branch of stakeholder theory; and to be influenced strongly by the power of minority shareholders, creditors, consumer proximity, employees, the intensity of the holding of intangibles in the industry in which a company is located, and managerial board ownership. The understandings that emerge should inform regulatory efforts aimed at improving the level, quantity and scope of disclosures of Intellectual Capital items in financial reports.