Moderating Effect of Whistleblowing Disclosure on Income Smoothing and Shareholders’ Value of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between income smoothing (IS), whistleblowing disclosure (WBD), and Earnings Per Share (EPS) within firms. The problem addressed is how income smoothing and the disclosure of whistleblowing activities affect firm profitability and stability, particularly in terms of earnings management and corporate transparency. The title of the study is "The Impact of Income Smoothing and Whistleblowing Disclosure on Firm Performance: Evidence from Panel Data Analysis. The study employs a fixed-effect regression model with panel data, analyzing 140 observations from 14 firms. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between both income smoothing and whistleblowing disclosure with EPS, suggesting that these factors contribute to greater financial stability and performance. Furthermore, the interaction term between IS and WBD is highly significant, indicating that the combination of these two factors enhances earnings. The study concludes that while income smoothing can help stabilize earnings, it should be carefully managed to avoid masking underlying financial conditions. The research recommends that firms adopt transparent whistleblowing disclosure policies and integrate income smoothing with strategic long-term investments to foster sustainable growth and enhance corporate integrity.