Corporate Reporting on the Internet by Irish Companies

The use of the Internet for financial reporting purposes by 109 Irish companies in 1998 is examined. The relationship between Internet disclosure and size, leverage, demand for corporate information and industry is analysed. Results show that 35 (37 per cent) listed and 15 (100 per cent) semi-state companies had a Web site. Larger companies, with larger annual report print runs, were significantly more likely to have a Web site. There was no association between presence of an Internet site and leverage or number of shareholders. Companies in the services and financial industries were significantly more likely to have a Web site.