Does academic origin influence earnings management practices? An analysis of university spin-offs

This study investigates the relationship between university spin-offs and earnings management, proposing a conceptual framework to assess the integrity of financial reporting within academic-origin firms. Grounded in institutional and stakeholder theories, the study hypothesizes and tests whether university spin-offs are less likely to engage in earnings management compared to similar firms. The analysis includes a sample of 860 Italian university spin-offs from 2014 to 2022, benchmarked against a control group of 5,535 innovative startups unaffiliated with academia. To ensure comparability, Propensity Score Matching (PSM) is applied, and earnings management is measured using Stubben’s (2010) conditional earnings model. Results indicate that university spin-offs engage in earnings management to a lesser extent than other firms, potentially due to the influence of academic governance, which promotes ethical practices, alongside unique stakeholder pressures. These findings suggest that policymakers and university governance bodies could encourage ethical financial practices in spin-offs, enhancing their reputations while fostering innovation and economic growth. This study contributes to the literature by integrating institutional and stakeholder theories to interpret university spin-offs’ financial behaviors, providing insights into the distinctive financial management practices of these enterprises.

Keywords: Earnings management, university spin-off; institutional theory, stakeholder theory, academic origin; academic environment; financial reporting

Antonio Prencipe, L’origine accademica condiziona le pratiche di earnings management? Un’analisi sugli spin-off universitari in "MANAGEMENT CONTROL" 2/2025, pp 205-231, DOI: 10.3280/MACO2025-002010