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European Corporate Governance: a Thematic Analysis of National Codes of Governance

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  • James E. Cicon
  • Stephen P. Ferris
  • Armin J. Kammel
  • Gregory Noronha

Abstract

Using Latent Semantic Analysis techniques to analyse the corporate governance codes of 23 EU nations, we obtain a number of new findings regarding their thematic content, variability, and convergence. We determine that these codes can be decomposed into five common themes, with substantial cross†sectional variability in their relative importance. We also find that the themes contained in these codes cluster in ways that are not fully consistent with the legal regime classifications of La Porta et al. (1997) , leading us to construct two new country clusters. We further discover that the identity of the code issuer (e.g., government versus stock exchange) is important in explaining a code's primary theme as well as changes in theme prominence over time. Finally, we fail to find evidence of an unchecked thematic convergence towards an Anglo†Saxon model of corporate governance, with some code themes converging to UK practices while others diverge.

Suggested Citation

  • James E. Cicon & Stephen P. Ferris & Armin J. Kammel & Gregory Noronha, 2012. "European Corporate Governance: a Thematic Analysis of National Codes of Governance," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 18(4), pages 620-648, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eufman:v:18:y:2012:i:4:p:620-648
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-036X.2010.00542.x
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    2. Maria Aluchna & Tomasz Kuszewski, 2020. "Does Corporate Governance Compliance Increase Company Value? Evidence from the Best Practice of the Board," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Lending, Claire Crutchley & Vähämaa, Emilia, 2017. "European board structure and director expertise: The impact of quotas," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(PA), pages 486-501.
    4. Agyenim Boateng & Yan Wang & Collins Ntim & Keith W. Glaister, 2021. "National culture, corporate governance and corruption: A cross‐country analysis," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(3), pages 3852-3874, July.
    5. Christina Bannier & Thomas Pauls & Andreas Walter, 2019. "Content analysis of business communication: introducing a German dictionary," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 89(1), pages 79-123, February.
    6. Cristina Boţa-Avram & Paula Ramona Răchişan, 2013. "Analysing The Similarities Between Oecd Principles Versus European Corporate Governance Codes - An Internal Audit Perspective," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 2(15), pages 1-15.
    7. Bravo-Urquiza, Francisco & Moreno-Ureba, Elena, 2021. "Does compliance with corporate governance codes help to mitigate financial distress?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).

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