In the paper, we show how the potential signaling properties of trade agreements can explain two notable features of the international trading system. First, many trade agreements involve gradual, rather than immediate, reduction of trade barriers. We demonstrate how gradualism can serve as a...

We study the association of Web-based non-financial disclosure and a firm's cost of finance within an international context (North America and continental Europe). We examine voluntary Web placement of non-financial disclosures using an information index covering a firm's value creation process....