This paper investigates changes in electric utilities¡¯ dividend policies following the onset of deregulation. Consistent with the theory of dividend clienteles, we find that utilities continue to pay high dividends after the onset of deregulation. Under a regulated regime, we find no...

We compare earnings for the last twelve months ending in quarter four (i.e., fiscal year earnings), three, two and one. Prior literature offers two competing explanations for why fourth quarter earnings exhibit higher volatility than other interim quarters. Under the first explanation, GAAP...

This study compares the earnings forecasts of analysts employed by independent research firms to those of analysts employed by investment banks along the dimensions of accuracy and optimism. We discuss the conflicts of interest faced by both groups and suggest that, despite incentives stemming...

In recent years, many corporations have replaced their traditional defined benefit (DB) pension plans with ldquo;cash balancerdquo; (CB) plans, which share many of the characteristics of defined contribution plans. This study provides empirical evidence on the characteristics of CB converters...

Quarterly earnings allow aggregation into annual earnings in four different ways. Fiscal year reported earnings is one of these four possible measures of annual earnings, the others being earnings for years ending at the first, second and third fiscal quarters. We provide evidence on earnings...

Virtual teams are increasingly common in organizations, yet explicit theory and research on virtual team processes and outcomes is relatively rare. In this chapter, we first place virtual teams in context and provide a two dimensional framework for understanding the range of virtualness. We then...

This chapter considers the social structuring processes that occur in groups that use computer medicated communication (CMC). We propose several mechanisms through which status is created, negotiated, and managed in such groups. This chapter builds on earlier model of status dynamics in...

Information technology may play the role of a jealous mistress when it comes to the relationship between individual and organizational knowledge creation. Information technology can facilitate the dissemination of knowledge across the organization - even to the point of making virtual groups a...

Corporate inversions – reorganizations that result in relocating corporate tax domiciles from the US to a foreign country – are alleged to cost the US Treasury billions of dollars in tax revenue. Contrary to these assertions, we find that that inverting firms pay no less taxes after the...