Boards and governance of state-owned enterprises

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Nana Yaw Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
State Enterprises

Purpose – This study aims to examine the structure, attributes, and performance of boards of directors of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the broader context of public sector governance. This is informed by the less attention given to the concept among public sector organizations despite efforts to make state enterprises more effective and efficient, especially in developing and middle income countries. Design/methodology/approach – Data was collected through questionnaires self-administered in 2010 to all 25 SOEs in Accra, Ghana, out of the 29 nationwide. Some key officials were interviewed and documentary evidence analyzed to achieve triangulation of data and results. Findings – Results show that state-owned enterprises have boards and comply with the minimal governance issues outlined the legal frameworks establishing them. However, they exhibit significant weaknesses in the areas of board performance evaluation, criteria for board appointment, the balance of executive directors and non-executive directors, and other board characteristics, indicating a departure from general practices. Practical implications – Findings suggest the need for a tailored corporate governance framework or code for state-owned enterprises in developing countries. Originality/value – Compared to the literature, this study provides insight on boards from the perspective of state enterprises in ensuring good corporate governance, particularly in the context of a middle income country (Ghana).

The Politics of Management: the Corporate Governance Issue

1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-299
Author(s):  
Arthur Knight
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Class Division ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Training

THE TERM CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HAS COME INTO USE TO describe both the purposes and the methods which determine the structure and the control of companies. A wide range of legal, regulatory and less formalized arrangements is thus embraced. In the UK in recent years discussion has related to a number of interrelated issues: the structure and functioning of boards of directors, reporting to shareholders and the ways in which shareholders use their power. These issues have a bearing upon business performance, though the debate about ways to improve the quality of management embraces also the cultural factors, the educational system and training arrangements; and performance depends too upon factors wholly or largely beyond the influence of managers, such as the tensions from class-division, over-powerful unions and the uncertainties which flow from discontinuities in public policy which are especially evident in the British political system. But in the general debate the corporate governance issues have perhaps had less attention than they deserve; the discussion has been confined to a limited circle. It is proposed here to concentrate on non-executive directors.

scholarly journals Using management control to understand public sector corporate governance changes

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 548-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Ferry ◽  
Thomas Ahrens
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Management Control System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
And Performance

Purpose Within the context of recent post-localism developments in the English local government, this paper aims to show, first, how management controls have become more enabling in response to changes in rules of public sector corporate governance and, secondly, how changes in management control systems gave rise to new corporate governance practices. Design/methodology/approach Theoretically, the paper mobilises the concept of enabling control to reflect on contemporary changes in public sector corporate governance. It draws on the International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) new public sector governance and management control system model and data gathered from a longitudinal qualitative field study of a local authority in North East England. The field study used interviews, observation and documentation review. Findings This paper suggests specific ways in which the decentralisation of policymaking and performance measurement in a local authority (present case) gave rise to enabling corporate governance and how corporate governance and management control practices went some way to aid in the pursuit of the public interest. In particular, it shows that the management control system can be designed at the operational level to be enabling. The significance of global transparency for supporting corporate governance practices around public interest is observed. This paper reaffirms that accountability is but one element of public sector corporate governance. Rather, public sector corporate governance also pursues integrity, openness, defining outcomes, determining interventions, leadership and capacity and risk and performance management. Practical implications Insights into uses of such enabling practices in public sector corporate governance are relevant for many countries in which public sector funding has been cut, especially since the 2007/2008 global financial crisis. Originality/value This paper introduces the concept of enabling control into the public sector corporate governance and control debate by fleshing out the categories of public sector corporate governance and management control suggested recently by IFAC and CIPFA drawing on observed practices of a local government entity.

Does corporate governance affect the performance of Islamic banks? New insight into Islamic countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ejaz Aslam ◽  
Razali Haron
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Governance Mechanism ◽  
Method Of Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Islamic Countries ◽  
And Performance

Purpose Corporate governance plays a significant role to overcome agency issues and develop the culture of transparency and openness. In this context, this paper aims to examine how corporate governance mechanisms affect the performance of Islamic banks (IBs). Design/methodology/approach Stepwise, two-step system generalize method of moment estimation technique is used in the analysis in which control variables are added into the model sequentially. This study used data on 129 IBs from 29 Islamic countries (Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia) during the period of 2008 to 2017. Findings The findings suggest that the audit committee (AUDC) and Shariah board (SB) have positive impact on the performance of IBs (return on assets and return on equity). However, board size and risk management committee have negative and significant effect on the performance of IBs. CEO duality and non-executive directors have mixed relationship with the performance of IBs. These results support the argument that IBs need to improve their financial performance through appropriate governance mechanism. Research limitations/implications The findings of the study added a new dimension to the governance research that could be a valuable source of knowledge for policymakers and regulators to improve the existing governance mechanism for better performance of IBs. Originality/value The study fills the gap in the literature by addressing the issue of corporate governance on performance of IBs across countries. Agency theory is discussed to explain the relationship between corporate governance mechanism and performance.

Corporate governance practices and firm performance: a configurational analysis across corporate life cycles

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala M. Amin ◽  
Ehab K.A. Mohamed ◽  
Mostaq M. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Analytical Approach ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Related Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Country Specific

Purpose This study aims to explore corporate governance (CG) practices that can lead to firms’ better performance in different organizational life cycles. The authors propose a configurational approach to explore how a set of CG practices combine in bundles to achieve high performance outcomes for firms across their corporate life cycles. Design/methodology/approach Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used to analyze a sample of data of 21 countries and 9 industries. Data referred to the period of 9 years extending from the year 2005 to the year 2013. Findings This study reveals that there are multiple CG practices that exist through firms that can achieve high firm performance. Moreover, CG practices combine in different ways for firms in their growth, maturity and declining stages. Research limitations/implications This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles. Practical implications The current study draws attention to the policymakers’ need to assess the current level of regulatory and competitive development of their countries and form policy accordingly. The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move. Social implications The approach used in the current research study not only offers the linkages between CG and performance to managers as incentives to comply with regulation but also to view CG-related activity as a strategic move. Originality/value This study broadening the focus of CG studies to include a rigorous explanation of the global CG phenomena and to provide effective solutions for the practitioners. Contribution to Impact This study demonstrates the value of using a configurational analytical approach to explore both the firm and country-specific CG practices (together) that engage firms to achieve the desired level of performance across the corporate life cycles.

The scantness of the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on executive directors’ remuneration in small listed companies: evidence from Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 934-949
Author(s):  
Husna Siraji Nyambia ◽  
Hamdino Hamdan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
Executive Remuneration ◽  
The Family ◽  
One Year ◽  
And Control

Purpose This study extensively aims to investigate the effects of different aspects of corporate governance (CG) mechanism, including board size, executive directors’ shareholdings, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) duality, a family member as the CEO and/or chairperson of the board, independent directors in remuneration committee and number of board meeting, on executive directors’ remuneration in small firms listed on Bursa Malaysia (BM). Design/methodology/approach The sample of this study consists of 173 bottom-listed companies from Bursa Malaysia in Year 2010. The Year 2010 was chosen because the disclosure of remuneration committee activities and directors’ pay structure is required under the revised Malaysia Code of Corporate Governance, 2007. Furthermore, the period selected is after the global economic crisis (2008), which may have an effect on the remuneration structure in small firms. The ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate the relationship between remuneration as dependent variable and other independent variables. Findings A finding from this study reveals that there is a significant positive relationship between executive ownership and executive remuneration, and between board size and executive remuneration. The results provide evidence that the family members manipulate power and control remuneration in small firms. This indicates that the independent directors are not truly independent to monitor and control the firm activities, including minimizing the excessive remuneration. Research limitations/implications This study examines how the corporate governance (CG) affects remuneration among 173 small firms in Malaysia based on market capitalization, for one year, 2010. Hence, the results may not be generalizable to other periods or types of the companies. This shows the possibility of the absence of some additional variables in the research model and hence a limitation to the findings of the study. Although the study is being parsimonious in the choice of relevant variables, prior literature serves the guide in the selection of the used variables. This therefore gives room for future research using the potential omitted variables. Furthermore, the study focuses on total remuneration, such as fees, salaries, bonuses and benefits in kind, which makes aggregate directors’ remuneration. However, this study did not consider the remuneration related to stock options. Finally, this study only uses secondary data; hence, it could be interesting to use other instruments to collect data like a questionnaire to add more weight to the research. This study only uses one-year data; therefore, impact of changes between years cannot be analysed. Originality/value Results of the study provide evidence that the family members manipulate power and control remuneration in small firms. They reduce the effectiveness of non-executive directors because most of them are appointed by a family member and not socially responsible to their stakeholders.

scholarly journals Corporate governance and performance of listed commercial banks in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 677-687
Author(s):  
Sam Ngwenya
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Governance Indicators ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
The Relationship

The global financial crisis of 2008 that resulted in the collapse of many financial institutions in the United States (US) and Europe have resulted in debates over the failures of corporate governance structures to properly protect investors. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between corporate governance and performance of listed commercial banks in South Africa. The results of the study indicated a statistically positive significant relationship between board size, proportion of non-independent and non-executive directors and bank performance. The results of the rest of the corporate governance indicators are mixed when using different performance measurement variables.

Guest editorialHappy endings and successful stories in public sector financial management: a lesson drawing perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-406
Author(s):  
Sandra Cohen ◽  
Francesca Manes-Rossi ◽  
Isabel Brusca ◽  
Eugenio Caperchione
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Financial Management ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
And Performance

PurposePublic financial management has been characterized by the implementation of several innovations and reforms that embrace different areas and scope. These reforms aim at expenditure rationalization and efficiency enhancement, as well as the improvement of accountability and performance. Despite research having already paid attention to these innovations and reforms, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats empirically faced by public sector organizations still need to be investigated. This editorial introduces the special issue by emphasizing on the lessons that can be learned from past reform experiences.Design/methodology/approachThe editorial synthesizes some of the findings of the previous literature and evidences the necessity of both successful and unsuccessful stories, presenting a future agenda of research which emphasizes the use of case studies as a suitable method to get insights out of multiple experiences.FindingsThe four articles presented in this special issue, covering the topics of accrual accounting adoption, the use of financial statements by councilors, the use of performance information by politicians and the outsourcing of auditing in local governments, provide an overview of the efforts and challenges faced by public administrations by analyzing the influence of the institutional context, the relevance of political implications and their practical footprint.OriginalityIn this special issue, four successful stories that touch upon multiple facets of public financial management in different country contexts are discussed, and they signal important takeaway messages for further reforms.

scholarly journals Malaysian evidence supporting theoretical integration of roles of non-executive directors

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-14
Author(s):  
Hairul Azlan Annuar
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Company Directors ◽  
Code Of Corporate Governance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of independent non-executive directors (INEDs) in Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs), other than the control role prescribed by agency theory and reformatory documents such as the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design, consisting of face-to-face interviews with 27 company directors of Malaysian-owned PLCs, was instigated. Findings The interviews revealed that INEDs do more than just monitor their executive counterparts. Apart from the control role, INEDs of Malaysian companies provide a conduit for mitigating uncertainties in the environment and perform invaluable services to the host companies. Research limitations/implications This research utilized interviews. Generalizations may be an issue when interviews are used as the method of inquiry. Also, the sample is not random as access to many of the interviewed directors depended on recommendations. In addition, respondents were consciously selected in order to obtain various board positions that include independent and non-independent directors. Originality/value There are limited studies using qualitative research design in investigating INEDs’ performing other roles apart from the control role of the board in developing countries. Many of previous studies and literature in this area of corporate governance were predominantly based upon experiences of western economies.

scholarly journals Corporate Governance and Performance of Audit Committee and Internal Audit Functions in an Emerging Economy’s Public Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98
Author(s):  
Shewangu Dzomira
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
The Public ◽  
Effective Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Management Audit

This article seeks to examine corporate governance and the performance of audit committee and internal audit functions in an emerging economy’s public sector. These two functions form a part of imperative corporate governance aspects, and their effective performance ensures better service delivery by public sector agencies. The study is premised on stakeholder theory, which has turned out to be the central point of public sector discourses. The study is based on qualitative content analysis, which aspires to present information about corporate governance and effectiveness of audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector. The findings suggest that there is good corporate governance in terms of the existence of audit committees and internal audit functions in the public sector. However, the results suggest that the audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector are not effective. Absence of advice, implementation of recommendations and inadequacy of resources have undermined the performance of audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector. The leadership and other assurance bringers ought to consider the findings elevated by the audit committees and internal audit and execute their commendation. Their findings should be urbanised into action plans that are implemented by management. Audit committees must improve their oversight on internal audit functions so that both units would effectively perform. The subsistence of successful audit committee and internal audit components in the public sector certifies proficient and effectual exploitation of resources for the gain of all stakeholders.

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