Human Resource Accounting Information and Investment Evaluation: Evidence from Individual Retail Investors in Karnataka

Human Resource Accounting Information (HRAI) gives details about an organisation’s human resources and can provide investors with additional information for evaluating investment opportunities. However, its effective use is influenced by investors’ level of knowledge, their perception of its relevance and the ease with which the information can be accessed, understood and evaluated. The present study examines the knowledge, perceived usefulness and hindrances associated with HRAI among NSE-registered individual retail investors in Karnataka. A quantitative descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from 287 individual retail investors using a structured questionnaire administered through both online and offline modes. The HRAI items were classified into five dimensions through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), namely HR Valuation, HR Composition, HR Performance, Employee Benefits and Employee Governance. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests. The results indicate that investors have a low level of knowledge across all five dimensions, with the mean scores of the individual knowledge items falling below the scale average. In contrast, respondents expressed a high level of perceived usefulness of HRAI for investment evaluation, with mean scores ranging from 4.33 to 4.41. HRAI was particularly perceived as useful for comparing companies, assessing investment in human resources and their contribution to company performance, and evaluating investment opportunities. The findings also reveal substantial hindrances in accessing and evaluating HRAI, with mean scores ranging from 4.35 to 4.51. Information overload, inconsistent measurement criteria, selective disclosure, technical complexity and the absence of a uniform reporting framework were among the key hindrances identified by the respondents. Overall, the findings indicate a gap between investors’ limited knowledge of HRAI and their recognition of its usefulness, highlighting the need for greater consistency, clarity and effective presentation of human resource information in corporate reporting.