R&D Accounting and the Tradeoff Between Relevance and Objectivity
通过模拟制药研发项目，比较不同研发报告方法下会计信息的相关性与客观性，发现类似成功努力法的简单资本化规则能更好地反映经济价值，即使存在盈余管理也依然有效。
We use a simulation model for a pharmaceutical R&D program to examine the tradeoff between objectivity and relevance of accounting information under various methods of R&D reporting. A simple capitalization rule, similar to the successful‐efforts method of capitalizing oil and gas exploration costs, provides a stronger relation between accounting information and economic values than immediate expensing of R&D outlays or capitalizing the full cost of outlays. The superior relevance of this “successful‐efforts” method persists even when earnings management is widespread.