Relationship between Human Capital Disclosure and Firm Value of Firms Listed at the NSE, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of human capital disclosure on firm value measured by Tobin Q. The study was based on signaling, legitimacy, and agency theories. The study employed a correlational and longitudinal research design. The target population consisted of sixty-two (62) Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firms between 2017 and 2021. Census technique was used to select all the eligible firms to participate in the study. Secondary data was collected using a secondary data extraction tool. Experts and supervisors interrogated research instruments to determine their reliability. The reliability of the instrument was achieved through collecting the data from audited company annual reports. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. Specifically, correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between variables, while multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses using panel data. The data was presented using tables and graphs. The findings indicated a continuous declining trend in the human capital disclosure index from 2017 to 2021. Human capital disclosure had a significantly positive relationship with Tobin Q (β=3.043722, P<0.05). The study recommends that firms should improve human capital disclosure, to enhance firm value