Share-based payment and IFRS-2 : stock options performance and the effects of implementing IFRS-2 in Norwegian publicly traded firms

Abstract

This study looks at share-based payment in Norwegian publicly traded firms. A review of the history of stock options and the development of accounting and taxation legislations is presented. The paper is divided into two main parts where we first look at whether the implementation of IFRS-2 has caused any change in the use of stock options to CEOs and employees. Our findings show a drop, presumably in stock option grants, in most industries after the implementation, and we conclude that accounting legislation is one important exogenous variable that affects the use of stock options. The second part examines the relationship between stock options and company performance and we find both significant negative and insignificant relationships. We conclude that the relationship is indeterminable.