F65 - Economic Impacts of Globalization: FinanceReturn

The literature review integrates findings from 32 studies which examined IFRS 15 adoption effects on different countries and industries. The implementation of IFRS 15 has achieved its main goal of creating better revenue recognition standards which enhance financial reporting excellence and transparency and promote comparability. The review demonstrates how IFRS 15 adoption modified revenue recognition timing while improving earnings quality and reducing earnings manipulation in industries with complex long-term contracts such as construction and telecommunications. The transition process was smoother for those companies serving developed markets but emerging economies had to contend with more issues due to scarce resources and lax enforcement mechanisms. Empirical evidence indicates that comparability and decision-usefulness of financial statements enhanced post-adoption but inconsistent disclosure practices and management judgment reliance remain issues. Research gaps with respect to longitudinal studies and user-behavioral responses are indicated in the review and provide avenues for further research