International comparison of firm performance dispersion

本研究探讨了1982年至2007年间10个国家的盈利能力分散的基本面。造成这一现象的原因既有会计因素，也有经济因素。使用汇总数据，我们报告的证据表明，分散是显着相关的收入平滑，自由裁量权报告的收益，小公司的存在，和宏观公司业绩。研究结果对盈利能力离散度的定义和法律的差异具有稳健性。

This study explores the fundamentals of profitability dispersion across ten countries between 1982 and 2007. Both accounting and economic factors cause this phenomenon. Using aggregated data, we report evidence that the dispersion is significantly related to income smoothing, discretion in reported earnings, the presence of small firms, and macro firm performance. The results are robust to the definition of profitability dispersion and differences of legal system.