Impact of board characteristics on firm dividends: evidence from India

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1204-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeti Khetarpal Sanan
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Free Cash Flows ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study examined the impact of board size, independence and gender diversity on firm dividend payout. Furthermore, it examined whether the board characteristic–dividend payout relationship was moderated by free cash flows in the firm. Design/methodology/approach A total of 118 Indian firms representing multiple industries were examined for a period of four financial years from 2013 to 2016. The data are in panel form given the cross-sectional and time series nature of the study. Random effects specification was used for analysis Findings Results of the study indicated that the proportion of independent directors and proportion of female directors on the board have a negative and significant effect on dividend payout. In addition, the results showed a negative and significant moderating role of free cash flows, which implied that the magnitude of the impact of the proportion of independent directors and the proportion of female directors on the board on dividend payout is significantly greater in firms with high free cash flows. Overall, the results suggested that firms whose board characteristics signaled strong governance paid lower dividends. Originality/value This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of internal governance mechanisms by presenting evidence of the substitution hypothesis from an emerging economy, one in which firms operate within a unique regulatory framework of board composition.

Determinants of corporate corruption disclosures: evidence based on EU listed firms

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikki Jaggi ◽  
Alessandra Allini ◽  
Gianluca Ginesti ◽  
Riccardo Macchioni
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Corporate Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of corporate board characteristics and country-level legal system on corruption disclosures mandated by the recent European Union (EU) Directive No. 95/2014. Design/methodology/approach Based on a sample of 234 European listed companies and covering the 2017–2018 period, this study uses regression analyses to empirically test the association of independent directors, board gender diversity and country’s legal system with disclosure of corruption information. Findings The presence of independent directors and female directors is positively associated with corporate corruption disclosures. The association between independent directors and corruption disclosures is especially strong when firms are operating in the common law environments. Research limitations/implications This study is exclusively focused on larger European listed firms and therefore the findings may not be valid for small and medium firms. Practical implications This study provides important information to policymakers to have a better understanding of the factors that influence firms’ disclosure policy on corruption-related activities. It also offers useful information to investors because it shows firms’ propensity to disclose corruption information that would enable them to evaluate their risk and return better. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates firms’ response to the EU Directive No. 95/2014 in disclosing corruption information after its implementation in 2017. It documents the effective role played by female directors in influencing firms’ information disclosure policies. It also confirms that common law environment is more conducive to disclosures.

Building resilience in retail supply chains: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and future pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study explores the countermeasures taken by retailers to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chain disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of the four largest retailers of the United Arab Emirates. The respondents were designated at different positions such as Vice President, Director and Project Manager.FindingsResults reveal that retailers are employing six countermeasures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chains. Particularly, retailers are securing required demand, preserving cash flows, redirecting inventory, adding capacity to their distribution centres, becoming more flexible with their direct or third-party logistics provider and finally widening delivery options for their suppliers to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory. Second, this study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the countermeasures employed by retailing firms to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.Originality/valueA notable weakness in a supply chain disruption literature is an unfulfilled need for research examining the strategies employed by retailers to respond to/address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Our study fills this gap.

Does gender diversity on boards reduce information asymmetry problems? Empirical evidence from the French market

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-166
Author(s):  
Nadia Loukil ◽  
Ouidad Yousfi ◽  
Raissa Wend-kuuni Yerbanga
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Information ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Market Liquidity ◽  
Idiosyncratic Volatility ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bid Ask Spread ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of female members in boards of directors on asymmetric information in the French stock market. Design/methodology/approach The authors use two proxies for asymmetric information: the idiosyncratic volatility and the bid-ask spread. This study is conducted on all listed firms in the SBF 120 index between 2002 and 2012. Findings Results show that gender diversity in boardrooms has a negative effect on the level of private information in stock markets and reduces the bid-ask spread. However, these effects are significant in family-controlled firms: female inside directors significantly increase the idiosyncratic volatility and the bid-ask spread, while female independent directors decrease both proxies for stock market liquidity. Research limitations/implications Our empirical findings contribute to the current debate on the benefits of gender diversity on corporate boards from the market perspective. It shows that, under specific conditions, financial markets could be receptive to the presence of female directors in boardrooms. Practical implications Practitioners and policymakers advocate the benefits of gender diversity on corporate boards. This paper shows that when the protection of minority shareholders is poor, the stock market is receptive to the presence of women independent directors, only in family controlled firms. This is a further argument that could help women to overcome glass-ceiling barriers they usually face to achieve top management positions. Originality/value This paper provides support for the increased attention paid to gender-diverse boards. It addresses the market sensitivity toward the presence of women members in French boardrooms and their positions. This is the first paper, to the best of our knowledge, to address how appointing women to different positions in the boardroom could provide signals to investors in the presence of asymmetric information. French firms are mostly family controlled. Thus, the findings bring valuable information of the impact of board diversity on the stock market considering family and nonfamily firms.

Board independence, gender diversity and CEO compensation

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 845-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramzi Benkraiem ◽  
Amal Hamrouni ◽  
Faten Lakhal ◽  
Nadia Toumi
Keyword(s):  
Ceo Compensation ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Women Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Board Decision Making ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the joint effect of board independence and gender diversity on the effectiveness of boards in monitoring CEO compensation in a continental European context, i.e. France. Design/methodology/approach Fixed-effect regressions are used to study the impact of board independence, gender diversity and their interaction, i.e. the proportion of female independent directors on the different components of CEO compensation (total, fixed and variable). Findings The authors observe that both the proportions of independent directors and women sitting on the boards positively influence the various components of CEO compensation. However, the interaction of these factors, i.e. the proportion of female independent directors, is negatively associated with CEO compensation. These results suggest that independent women directors improve board effectiveness in monitoring CEO compensation, especially its fixed component. Originality/value The results of this research help to elucidate the importance of women being appointed to boards as independent directors to properly monitor managerial pay. These results provide support to the approach of the French Cope-Zimmerman law of January 2011, which promotes female representation on boards as independent directors to enhance board decision-making. Thus, evidence presented and discussed in this paper should provide useful insights for academics, corporate managers and regulators.

The impact of board characteristics on corporate investment decisions: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Kwame Agyei-Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Corporate Investment ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Investment Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
The Board Of Directors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of board characteristics on firms’ investment decisions. Design Methodology Approach The study used data sourced from annual reports of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2018. Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined. This was followed by a regression analysis which forms the main data analysis. Findings The multiple regression analysis results indicated that the proportion of independent directors and financial experts on the board are negatively related to firm investment. These findings imply that independent directors and financial experts on the board can help firms reduce overinvestment and improve investment efficiency. Originality Value The extant literature shows that the board of directors are an effective mechanism to reduce agency problems in firm decisions and operating performance. However, there has been little research on the role of the board of directors in corporate investment policy.

scholarly journals Does gender diversity on the board reduce agency cost? Evidence from Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Amin ◽  
Ramiz Ur Rehman ◽  
Rizwan Ali ◽  
Collins G. Ntim
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Agency Cost ◽  
Agency Conflicts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Board Gender Diversity ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of board gender diversity on agency costs in non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Design/methodology/approach Multiple regression analysis is used to determine the impact of board gender diversity on agency cost. The research used panel data consisting of 2,062 firm-year observations of 226 non-financial firms listed on the PSX from 2008 to 2019 to test the proposed hypothesis. In addition, the Blau and the Shannon indices were used to checking for robustness. Findings The results indicate that female presence on the board significantly reduces the agency cost and, hence, mitigates the principal-agent conflict. Moreover, consistent with the critical mass theory, it was found that boards with three or more female directors have a stronger impact on reducing the agency cost, as compared to two or fewer female directors on the board. Research limitations/implications The sample was restricted to non-financial firms listed on the PSX only; therefore, the results reflect the attributes of Pakistan’s business environment. A similar analysis in the context of other countries may generate different results. Practical implications The findings imply that female directors play an important role in reducing agency conflicts between shareholders and managers by enhancing monitoring through effective governance mechanisms. The policymakers, therefore, should focus on female career development and encourage professional training programmes to generate a fair, competitive environment for senior female management. Originality/value This study attempts to fill the literature gap in that no similar study covers the non-financial firms’ listed firms in Pakistan. The paper supports the reforms made by the code of corporate governance by making the placement of female directors mandatory on Pakistani corporate boards. Overall, support is provided for the view that regulators should favour gender quotas regarding the composition of the board management team of listed firms to reduce agency conflicts and gain shareholder confidence.

Impact of the busyness and board independence on the discretionary disclosures of Indian firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-265
Author(s):  
Kavitha D. ◽  
Nandagopal R. ◽  
Uma Maheswari B.
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of board characteristics such as size, independence, busyness and duality on the extent of discretionary disclosures of listed Indian firms.Design/methodology/approachA disclosure index with 110 items was constructed to assess the discretionary disclosures in the annual reports of listed firms. The study measured disclosure using 1,024 firm-year observations over 8 years from 2009 to 2016. Board characteristics such as size, independence, busyness and duality have been used in the study as indicators of corporate governance.FindingsThe results indicate that while the proportion of independent directors positively impacts the extent of discretionary disclosures, boards with duality and the busyness of the director have a negative impact. The size of the board does not significantly impact the extent of disclosures.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines the discretionary disclosures made only in the annual reports. Future studies could examine information disclosed in other media. Moreover, this study uses an un-weighted self-constructed disclosure index, which is subject to its inherent limitations.Originality/valueThis study has examined the impact of the “busyness” of the director on the extent of disclosures. This variable has not been explored in prior studies. The significance of the variable indicates that the number of directorships held impacts the efficiency with which a director performs his/her role in the board. The study reiterates the need for firms and policymakers to focus on improving board independence and to move away from leadership structures with duality.

Women on boards in India: a need or tokenism?

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1769-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varnita Srivastava ◽  
Niladri Das ◽  
Jamini Kanta Pattanayak
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Regulatory Reform ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Women On Boards ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of gender diversity on corporate boards in India in the light of recent regulatory reform introduced in the Companies’ Act, 2013 which mandated the presence of at least one woman on the corporate boards of all the listed firms. Design/methodology/approach Based on a panel of 300 firm-year observations for 15 years from 2001 to 2015, regression analysis has been conducted to analyze the relation between gender-related variables of corporate boards with firm-specific financial characteristic, cost of equity (COE) and return on assets (ROA) of firms listed in CNX Nifty, a major financial market index of India. Findings The analysis indicates that boards with gender diversity explain a slightly more than 5.5 percent change in a firm’s COE and have a much higher impact of 45 percent on a firm’s ROA. The presence of female directors on the boards and their independence have a negative association with the COE, whereas the level of involvement of female directors on different committees has a positive association with the ROA. Practical implications The findings may help theorists in defining the right mix of female on the corporate boards in an emerging economy. Also, by taking input from the findings, regulators and industry can formulate policies to foster gender diversity on corporate boards in India. Originality/value This study considers the recent regulatory norm introduced in India. This issue has still not been discussed and analyzed by researchers in India. It attempts to explain the impact a gender diverse board can make on a firm’s performance. It also makes valuable recommendations to improve the norms intended to more effectively foster gender diversity on corporate boards in India.

Board gender diversity and firms' internationalization speed: the role of female directors' characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Ren ◽  
Ping Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Upper Echelons Theory ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Internationalization Speed ◽  
Board Gender Diversity ◽  
The Impact

PurposeDrawing on the gender self-schema theory, upper echelons theory and the literature on international business, this study aims to examine the impact of board gender diversity on firms' internationalization speed.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, secondary data of 886 listed Chinese manufacturing firms from 2009 to 2018 are studied using the ordinary least squares regression model as the baseline method, an instrumental variable method is adopted for endogeneity control and both fixed and random effect models are adopted for the robustness test.FindingsBoard gender diversity reduces firms' internationalization speed, and the negative effect between board gender diversity and internationalization speed is stronger when the average age of female directors is older and weaker when female directors have international experience or financial background.Practical implicationsFirst, Chinese firms need to increase or decrease board gender diversity to match the board to firms' internationalization strategy. Increasing board gender diversity may be a more appropriate choice for firms that are expanding rapidly internationally, and vice versa. Second, when introducing female directors to international firms, it is essential to address other characteristics of these directors beyond their gender.Originality/valueFirst, the authors contribute to the literature on board gender diversity using Chinese manufacturing firms as our research sample, which provides new insights into the economic consequences of increasing the number of female directors. Second, this research contributes to the literature on firms' internationalization speed. Third, the authors capture in more detail the economic consequences of increasing board gender diversity in the context of China.

Ownership structure, board characteristics and dividend policy: evidence from Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajab Khan
Keyword(s):  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of ownership structure and board characteristics on dividend policy in the listed Turkish firms between 2013 and 2019. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the probability of paying dividends, dividend payout ratio and dividend yield measures. The suitable regression procedures (logit, probit and Tobit models) are used to examine the research hypotheses by focusing on a panel data set drawn from the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) 100 index, excluding financial and utility firms. Findings The empirical findings indicate that institutional and concentrated ownerships are significant and positively associated with dividend payouts, whereas family ownership does not influence dividend policy. On the other end, board size is positive, while chief executive officer duality is negatively related to dividend policy. Additionally, the female directors and board independence are insignificant in influencing firms to pay high dividends. Research limitations/implications Future researchers can validate this paper’s findings by considering the stock dividends as well. Additionally, future researchers may investigate the relationship between these constructs by extending the sample size of firms listed on BIST or in other emerging markets. Practical implications This study’s findings may serve policymakers, regulators, investors and academic researchers to get valuable guidance from relevant literature. The Turkish firms may improve dividend policy by implementing the regulatory framework introduced by the Capital Markets Law in 2012 for effective monitoring and protecting the minority shareholders’ rights. The controlling shareholders may alleviate principal-principal conflicts by ensuring the independence of directors and increasing the number of female directors according to the critical mass of at least 30% of board members. Originality/value This study contributes to agency theory and signaling theory by considering ownership structure and board attributes among Turkish firms related to dividend payments.

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