1874 - UNVEILING THE VALUE OF HAPPINESS: THE CASE FOR REPORTING EMPLOYEE HAPPINESS INVESTMENTS

Session: D10S007 - Trust, Culture, and Social Regulation 1
AUTHORS:
Tsaban Shay (Peres Academic Center ~ Rehovot ~ Israel) , Shavit Tal (Ariel University ~ Ariel ~ Israel)
Abstract text:
This paper critically evaluates the economic, regulatory, and accounting significance of transparent reporting on employee happiness investments, emphasizing its potential to reduce information asymmetry in capital markets. Information asymmetry, a condition where managers possess superior information compared to investors, poses substantial risks including market inefficiencies, misallocation of capital, and increased costs of capital. Empirical evidence consistently illustrates that employee happiness is positively correlated with enhanced firm productivity, lower risk, and improved financial performance. Despite these clear linkages, current international accounting and regulatory frameworks inadequately capture employee happiness investments, exacerbating informational disparities and hindering effective investor decision-making. Drawing on recent studies and real-world financial outcomes, the paper argues for regulatory reforms mandating standardized reporting of employee happiness as a crucial step toward more informed market assessments and sustainable corporate practices.