This paper analyzes the capitalization of Research & Development (R&D) expenditures under IFRS. Discretionary R&D capitalization can be exercised by managers to signal private information on future economic benefits to the market. It can, however, also serve as opportunistic earnings management....

We analyze the trade-off between the benefits of signaling and the distortions fromopportunistic earnings management resulting from the discretionary capitalization ofResearch & Development (R&D) expenditures. The latter can be used by managers to signalprivate information to the market. It can...