DISCLOSURE OF BIOLOGICAL ASSETS IN THE BEST AND LARGEST OF PULP AND PAPER SECTOR ENTREPRISES: A COMPARISON BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATELY COMPANIES

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the level of disclosure of biological assets in the best and largest in public and privately companies in the pulp and paper on the for the period 2010 a 2013. The observation of that period allows evaluating whether there was an increase in the level of information communication concerning biological assets in public and privately companies. The definition of the unit of analysis was based on the ranking of companies listed by 2013 Biggest and Best Magazine, specifically from the pulp and paper sector, and investigated the explanatory notes and the sites of six companies between the years 2010 and 2013, with 4 public companies and 2 privately companies. The obtained results indicate that the compulsory disclose did not meet all the requirements demanded by Technical Pronouncement 29 and Technical Pronouncement 46, neither by public nor by privately held companies. Companies from both ownership structures observed voluntary disclosure in a higher level. Results may infer that the accounting norms related to biological assets are not adhered to its completeness and that transparency is not totally observed. It was acknowledged that ownership structure is not a determining factor to the level of compulsory or voluntary disclosure of biological assets and that there wasn’t significant improvement in disclosure along the analyzed period. The findings contribute to the research on the disclosure practices, particularly in the matters of discretion and efficiency.