COVID-19 SPECIFIC GOING CONCERN DISCLOSURES IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM AN EMERGING MARKET

Purpose- This paper aims to evaluate whether companies in Bangladesh have properly disclosed the implications of the pandemic in their "Going Concern section" in annual reports. Methodology- To achieve this goal, this study analysed COVID-19-specific disclosures in the “Going Concern” section of annual reports for listed textile and banking companies for 2020 and 2021 using discourse analysis. The study also utilized the impression management theory and techniques suggested by Caliskan et al. (2021) to explain the results. Findings- The findings revealed that companies did not adequately evaluate the impacts of the pandemic on the going concern problem and instead used language strategically to manage stakeholder impressions. Companies predominantly employed defensive and performance-showcasing devices in their pandemic-related going concern disclosures, with assertive tactics being used in only a few cases. Conclusion- The study's findings will have policy implications for the board of directors, management, and regulators of companies in shaping directives regarding future disclosures under crises such as COVID-19. Additionally, shareholders will benefit greatly from the findings in assessing the going-concern problem of companies. This study is groundbreaking in its assessment of going concern disclosures from a COVID-19 perspective and will expand the literature with new insights. Keywords: Covid-19, going concern problem, going concern disclosures, impression managementi developing economy. JEL Codes: G33, G38, M41