Melbourne Accounting Research Seminar - Jianxin (Donny) Zhao

Melbourne Accounting Research Seminars
Melbourne Accounting Research Seminars

More Information

Martin Weisner

martin.weisner@unimelb.edu.au

T: +61 3 8344 6556

  • Melbourne Accounting Research Seminar

Assistant Professor Jianxin (Donny) Zhao from Emory University will present a MARS seminar.

Topic: The Rise of VIEs in China: Balancing State Control and Access to Foreign Capital

Abstract: We investigate Chinese firms’ use of variable interest entities (VIEs) to evade Chinese regulation on foreign ownership and list in the US. Since VIEs are explicitly designed to circumvent the intent of Chinese law on restricting foreign control, they potentially increase the risk of government intervention and agency conflicts within the firm. The use of VIEs among Chinese firms listed in the US is widespread, growing, and associated with valuation discounts of approximately 25% relative to Chinese non-VIE firms listed in the US. The discount varies predictably with events that change VIE risks, and is tempered by better oversight (large auditor and institutional investment) and factors that lower regulatory risk (politically connected directors and high media visibility). To remediate investor concerns, VIE firms are more likely to have these characteristics. Finally, we find that the risk of intervention disciplines VIE managers who curry government favor by contributing to disaster relief, and hiring excess employees.

This seminar will be conducted remotely via Zoom. Register for this seminar

Click here to register for all MARS seminars