Blockchain technology adoption and accounting information quality

Abstract

AbstractThe study investigates the implications of companies' adoption of blockchain technology on accounting information quality. Based on a sample of 33,242 firm‐year observations from A‐share companies listed on China's stock exchanges in 2007–2019, we find evidence that blockchain technology adoption significantly improves accounting information quality. Further, additional tests demonstrate that the mechanism of blockchain exerting its positive effect include strengthening corporate governance and realising synergies with large audit firms, while cross‐sectional tests show that its positive effect on accounting information quality is attenuated if the company is in an industry with high IT development or has experienced an audit firm change. Economic consequence tests show that the adoption of blockchain is conducive to companies' financing behaviour, as well as to overall firm value. Consequently, our results suggest the positive effect of blockchain technology on accounting information quality.