An examination of CEO power with board vigilance as a catalyst for firm growth in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navitha Singh Sewpersadh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Governing Board ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Ceo Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ceo Tenure ◽  
Ceo Attributes

Purpose The recent collapse of the corporate giant Steinhoff in South Africa (SA) has highlighted the risks of a dominant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and an ineffective governing board. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the influence of CEO power attributes and independent governing boards on the growth of a Johannesburg stock exchange-listed firm. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question “Under the monitoring role of the board, what CEO attributes, theoretically and in practice preeminent successful firm growth strategies?” This question was answered by examining 130 companies over six years using the econometric methodology of generalized least squares and ordinary least squares with the specific inclusion of generalized method of moments estimation due to its efficiency in controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, endogeneity, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, amongst others. The proxies for CEO power are CEO tenure, turnover and professional skills as well as the explanatory variable of board vigilance. The response variable was firm growth. Findings This study found that CEO tenure is negatively correlated with firm growth indicating that long-tenured CEOs may stagnate the firm's growth. Furthermore, CEO turnover was positively correlated with firm growth indicating that a new CEO may bring innovative strategies that link to this study's finding on CEO tenure. The membership of CEOs to accounting professional bodies and board vigilance are also positively correlated to firm growth. Practical implications SA firms' growth policy does not solely depend on the neoclassical fundamental determinants of profitability, net worth, and cash flows. Since the value relevance of assessing CEO attributes as well as board vigilance in the SA market has proved to be very significant and will contribute to future decision making on growth strategies. This study innovatively illustrates the different drivers of firm growth, which is distinct from the normal macroeconomic indicators. The practical contribution of the study lies in the fact that organizations now discern which CEO attributes contribute to sustainability and profitability. Social implications The current depressed economic environment has several negative implications for the citizens of SA. The rising unemployment levels and inflation has deteriorated living conditions. For the economy to recover, SA needs its listed companies to remain strong performers to protect stakeholder interests and attract investments. The people responsible for steering the companies through this difficult time are the CEOs with the governing board protecting the public interest. This study examines these two important constructs concerning firm growth. Originality/value This study uniquely used a firm growth variable as opposed to the multitude of studies that used firm performance variables. Furthermore, this study's robustness was bolstered by an extensive theoretical framework employed to examine the value of a CEO as a firm growth stimulator. The period of this study is also unique as it examines firms in the aftermath of the global recession of 2008. This study provides a fresh perspective on firm growth indicators and has key implications for policymakers, stakeholders and regulatory establishments.

The impact of globalization on the performance of Banks in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadzlan Sufian ◽  
Fakarudin Kamarudin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Bank Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinational Banks ◽  
Dynamic Panel Regression ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the impact globalization has had on the performance of the banking sector in South Africa. In addition, this study also investigates bank-specific characteristics and macroeconomic conditions that may influence the performance of the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data collected for all commercial banks in South Africa between 1998 and 2012. The ratio of return on assets was used to measure bank performance. They then used the dynamic panel regression with the generalized method of moments as an estimation method to investigate the potential determinants and the impact of globalization on bank performance. Findings Positive impact of greater economic integration and trade movements of the host country, while greater social globalization in the host country tends to exert negative influence on bank profitability. The results show that banks originating from the relatively more economically globalized countries tend to perform better, while banks headquartered in countries with greater social and political globalizations tend to exhibit lower profitability levels. Originality/value An empirical model was developed that allows for the performance of multinational banks to depend on internal and external factors. Moreover, unlike the previous studies on bank performance, in this empirical analysis, we control for the different dimensions of globalizations while taking into account the origins of the multinational banks. The procedure allows us to test for the home field, the liability of foreignness and global advantage hypotheses to deduce further insights into the prospects of banking across borders.

Exploring the nonlinear effect of size on profitability: evidence from an insurance brokerage industry in an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Angelous Kotey ◽  
Richard Akomatey ◽  
Baah Aye Kusi
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Effect ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Brokerage Firms

PurposeThis study examines the possible nonlinear effect of size on stakeholder and shareholder profitability in the Ghanaian insurance brokerage industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a panel dataset of 64 Ghanaian insurance brokerage firms spanning 2011–2015. Static [ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effect and random effect and dynamic (two-step generalized method of moments (GMM))] estimation techniques are employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe study finds the existence of both economies and diseconomies of scale and scope theories in the Ghanaian insurance brokerage industry confirming the existence of nonlinear nexus between size and performance. This finding is consistent for both stakeholder and shareholder profit performance. Thus, the results show that size improves profitability of insurance brokerage firms, but beyond a certain threshold, the relationship turns negative as size negatively affects profitability.Practical implicationsThe research findings have implications for both policy and research; the study recommends that Ghanaian brokerage managers should understand that not all growth is good and exercise a duty of care when applying growth strategies by monitoring size effect on performance so as not to go beyond the inflection point. Further research can be done to examine this effect in other contexts, timeframes and jurisdictions.Originality/valueThis research is unique in that it employs a panel dataset consisting of 96% of insurance brokerage firms in Ghana whilst employing both static and nonstatic regression models to examine the effect of size. The research analysis adopted is robust, and the findings are significant. Also, the lack of empirical studies on the operations and dealings of auxiliary institutions such as the insurance brokerage firms adds value to this research.

CEO compensation, CEO attributes and tax aggressiveness: evidence from French firms listed on the CAC 40

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawssan Jbir ◽  
Souhir Neifar ◽  
Yosra Makni Fourati
Keyword(s):  
Ceo Compensation ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tax Aggressiveness ◽  
Ceo Tenure ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ceo Attributes

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of CEO (chief executive officer) compensation and CEO attributes on the level of tax aggressiveness of French companies. Design/methodology/approach The sample comprises 180 firm-year observations of 40 companies listed on the CAC 40 during the period ranging from 2008 to 2018. For the purpose of overcoming the problems of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation, the authors apply the generalized least square panel regression. Findings This study’s results corroborate the importance of CEO compensation and CEO attributes as determinants of tax aggressiveness. In addition, the authors come up with the fact that CEO compensation has a negative effect on tax aggressiveness, and that older CEOs and CEOs with accounting expertise are negatively linked with tax aggressiveness. The authors also find out that there is a positive relationship between the CEO tenure and tax aggressiveness. Moreover, the authors report that foreign CEOs are more likely to engage in tax aggressiveness practices than local CEOs. Research limitations/implications The unavailability of all annual reports and the use of only one proxy to measure tax aggressiveness present limitations. This study shows significant implications for shareholders, regulators and researchers. As a matter of fact, shareholders will observe the effect of appointing a foreign CEO on the tax aggressiveness level. This study may also provide regulators with new ideas regarding the role of the CEO and its impact on aggressive decision-making. And it brings forth new insight for researchers through adding a foreign CEO as a new determinant of tax aggressiveness. Originality/value According to the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence regarding the effect of both CEO compensation and CEO attributes on tax aggressiveness. It also looks into the impact of a foreign CEO on tax aggressiveness.

Mandatory CSR expenditure and stock return

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-975
Author(s):  
Asit Bhattacharyya ◽  
Md Lutfur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Stock Returns ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Reverse Causality ◽  
Endogeneity Bias ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose India has mandated corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditure under Section 135 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 – the first national jurisdiction to do so. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of mandated CSR expenditure on firms’ stock returns by using actual CSR spending data, whereas the previous studies mostly focus on voluntary CSR proxied by CSR scores. Design/methodology/approach The authors estimate their baseline regression by using ordinary least squares(OLS) method. Although the baseline regression involving CSR expenditure and stock returns using ordinary least squares method are estimated, endogeneity and reverse causality biases are addressed by using two-stage least squares and generalized method of moments approaches. These approaches contribute mitigating endogeneity bias and biases associated with unobserved heterogeneity and simultaneity. Findings The findings document that mandatory CSR expenditure has a negative impact on firms’ stock returns which supports the “shareholders” expense’ view. This result remain robust after controlling for endogeneity bias and the use of both standard and robust test statistics. The authors however observe that this result holds for the firms with actual CSR expenditure equal to the mandated amount but does not hold for the firms with actual CSR expenditure greater than the mandated amount. Therefore, the authors provide evidence that CSR expenditure’s impact on stock returns depends on whether firms simply comply the regulation or voluntarily chose an amount of CSR expenditure above the mandated amount. Originality/value The primary contribution is to present a valid and robust evidence of negative effect of mandated CSR spending on firms’ stock returns when the mandatory CSR spending rule is already in place. This study contributes by examining the impact of mandated CSR spending on stock during post-implementation period (2015-2017), whereas other studies by Dharampala and Khanna (2018); Kapoor and Dhamija (2017); and Mukherjee et al. (2018) mainly examined the impact of legislation on Indian CSR. The authors use mandated actual CSR expenditure, whereas previous studies mostly focus on voluntary CSR proxied by CSR scores.

scholarly journals Disclosure, Shariah governance and financial performance in Islamic banks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariem Ben Abdallah ◽  
Slah Bahloul
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Indicators ◽  
Shariah Governance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Robustness Check

PurposeThis study aims at investigating the impact of the disclosure and the Shariah governance on the financial performance in MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia) Islamic banks.Design/methodology/approachWe use the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression models to check the interdependence relationship between the disclosure, the Shariah governance and the financial performance of 47 Islamic banks (IBs) from ten countries operating in MENASA region. The sample period is from 2012 to 2019. In these regressions models, Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) are the dependent variables. The disclosure and the Shariah governance indicators are the independent factors. To measure the Shariah governance, we use the three sub-indices, which are the Board of Directors (BOD), the Audit Committee (AC) and the Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB). Size, Leverage and Age of the bank are used as control variables. We also used The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and the three-stage least squares (3SLS) estimations for robustness check.FindingsResult shows a negative relationship between the disclosure and the two performance measures in IBs. Furthermore, as far as the governance indicators are concerned, we found that the BOD and AC, as well as the BOD and SSB, have a positive and significant impact on the ROA and ROE, respectively. This reveals that good governance had a significant association with higher performance in MENASA IBs.Originality/valueThe paper considers both IBs that adopt mandatory as well as voluntary AAOIFI standards and the GLS method to investigate the impact of the AAOIFI disclosure and the Shariah governance on ROA and ROE. Also, it uses the GMM and the 3SLS estimations for robustness check. It is relevant for researchers, policymakers and stakeholders concerned with IBs' performance.

A panel path analysis approach to the determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 transmission: does testing matter for confirmed cases?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gour Gobinda Goswami ◽  
ARM Mehrab Ali ◽  
Sharose Islam
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Per Capita Gdp ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Per Capita

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to examine the role of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test on transmission data globally to reveal the fact that the actual picture of transmission history cannot be exposed if the countries do not perform the test adequately.Design/methodology/approachUsing Our World in Data for 212 countries and areas and 162 time periods daily from December 31, 2019, to June 09, 2020, on an unbalanced panel framework, we have developed a panel-based path analysis model to explore the interdependence of various actors of COVID-19 cases of transmission across the globe. After controlling for per capita gross domestic product (GDP), age structure and government stringency, we explore the proposition that COVID-19 tests affect transmission positively. As an anecdote, we also explore the direct, indirect and total effects of different potential determinants of transmission cases worldwide and gather an idea about each factor's relative role in a structural equation framework.FindingsUsing the panel path model, we find that a 1 standard deviation change in the number of tests results in a 0.70 standard deviation change in total cases per million after controlling for several variables like per capita GDP, government stringency and age population (above 65).Research limitations/implicationsIt is not possible to get balanced data of COVID-19 for all the countries for all the periods. Similarly, the socioeconomic, political and demographic variables used in the model are not observed daily, and they are only available on an annual basis.Practical implicationsCountries which cannot afford to carry out more tests are also the countries where transmission rates are suppressed downward and negatively manipulated.Social implicationsCross country collaboration in terms of COVID-19 test instruments, vaccination and technology transfer are urgently required. This collaboration may be sought as an alternative to foreign development assistance.Originality/valueThis article provides an alternative approach to modeling COVID-19 transmission through the panel path model where the test is considered as an endogenous determinant of transmission, and the endogeneity has been channeled through per capita GDP, government stringency and age structure without using any regression-based modeling like pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed-effects, two-stage least squares or generalized method of moments (GMM). Endogeneity has been handled without using any instruments.

scholarly journals The Tide that lifts all boats? Acquisitions and CEO-TMT pay disparity in the Netherlands

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 2038-2059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padma Rao Sahib ◽  
Gerwin Van der Laan ◽  
Hans Van Ees
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Firm Strategy ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Managerial Compensation ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Organic Growth ◽  
Pay Disparity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how firm growth, and its decomposition into acquisitive and organic growth, can serve as an antecedent to the disparity in pay between the CEO and other top management team (TMT) members. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on tournament theory, the authors argue that acquisitive and organic growth strategies have different effects on CEO-TMT pay disparity. Findings The authors find that acquisitive growth, measured through the number and size of acquisitions, increases CEO-TMT pay disparity while organic growth has no effect on CEO-TMT pay disparity. Practical implications The findings, based in the context of the Netherlands, imply that boards in their monitoring activity may need to take into account the potential incentive effects of acquisitive activity as CEOs may have a greater motivation to engage in acquisitions than their fellow TMT members. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on relative compensation and incentives and the literature on managerial compensation and firm strategy. To investigate the role of firm growth in increasing CEO-TMT pay disparity, the authors adopt a fine-grained approach along two dimensions. First, the authors disaggregate firm growth into organic and acquisition driven firm growth. Second, the authors disaggregate pay disparity in these components.

Digitalization and strategic flexibility – a recipe for business growth

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Juhani Matalamäki ◽  
Sanna Joensuu-Salo
Keyword(s):  
Firm Growth ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Strategic Flexibility ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThis paper examines how digitalization can affect three aspects of firm growth. The specific objectives are as follows: (1) to increase understanding of how digitalization affects pre-factors for growth, (2) to examine how digitalization transforms the growth process, especially growth strategies and (3) to examine how digitalization is apparent in the outcome of growth.Design/methodology/approachWe explore six Finnish growth companies in order to understand the relationship between digitalization and growth. We used qualitative data collection and the Digimat measurement test for analyzing patterns, themes and best practices to generate a deeper understanding of the impact of digital technologies on business growth and growth strategies in these companies.FindingsWe propose that business growth includes three aspects of growth: pre-factors of growth, growth as a process and growth as an outcome. Digitalization may affect all of these aspects and strategic flexibility can affect business growth. Digitalization and strategic flexibility are intertwined; strategic flexibility enables the application of new technology, and digitalization enables flexibility.Practical implicationsBuilding on the results of the case studies, this research identifies relationships between digitalization, business growth and strategic flexibility.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the growing literature on digitalization, providing new insight into its relation to business growth.

How to strike a balance between CEO compensation and strategic risk? A longitudinal analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Olson ◽  
Satyanarayana Parayitam ◽  
Bradley Skousen ◽  
Christopher Skousen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Ceo Compensation ◽  
Stock Option ◽  
Ceo Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Publicly Traded Companies ◽  
Strategic Risk ◽  
Ceo Tenure ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Longitudinal Regression

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between CEO ownership, stock option compensation, and risk taking. The authors include important CEO power variables as moderators. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a longitudinal regression analysis. In addition, the paper includes interactional plots for further interpretation. Findings The results indicate that CEO ownership reduces risk taking, while there is a partial support that stock options increase risk taking. CEO tenure is a powerful moderator that decreases risk taking in both CEO ownership and CEO stock option scenarios. Board independence, counter to the hypothesis in this paper, may encourage risk taking. Research limitations/implications The findings in this paper provide support for the inclusion of CEO power variables in CEO compensation studies. However, the study examines large publicly traded companies; thus, all findings may not be applicable to small- and medium-sized companies. Originality/value Scholars have encouraged more complex CEO compensation models and the authors have examined both main effect and interaction models.

Tone of earnings announcements in sin industries

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Luo ◽  
Linying Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Earnings Announcements ◽  
Ceo Power ◽  
Earnings Announcement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ceo Tenure ◽  
Social And Ethical Issues ◽  
Industry Membership ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the empirical association between the tone of earnings announcements and a company’s membership in a sin industry. Design/methodology/approach This study constructs a model of the determinants of earnings announcement tone to examine the impact of sin industry membership on earnings announcement tone. An interaction term between CEO power (CEO–chairman duality) and sin industry membership is used to test whether CEO power moderates the strength of the association. The earnings announcements tone is measured using the spread in the proportion of positive and negative words. The category of sin industry includes not only industries such as tobacco, gambling and alcohol, but also industries associated with emerging environmental, social, and ethical issues (i.e. firearms, oil and cement). Findings The analysis of a sample of US firms from the 1994 to 2013 period shows that the tone of earnings announcement is less optimistic for companies in sin industries, but this association is weaker for companies that are led by powerful CEOs. The results remain robust to alternative definitions of sin industry membership and CEO power (CEO tenure) and to alternative model specifications. Originality/value The findings suggest that although sin companies cannot change the nature of their business, the management of such companies, in general, uses a less aggressive tone in their earnings announcements. These results further investors’ understanding of sin companies’ reporting behavior.

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