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Independent director compensation, corruption, and monitoring

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  • Natasha Burns
  • Anna Kapalczynski
  • John K. Wald

Abstract

We find that independent directors in more corrupt countries receive greater pay. This relation could reflect outside directors in corrupt countries expropriating firm value, or it could reflect higher compensation for the additional effort required to lessen the negative effects of corruption. Acquirer acquisition announcement returns are lower in more corrupt countries, and this relation is mitigated by higher director pay. Higher director pay is also associated with greater sensitivity of CEO turnover to firm performance and moderates the negative effects of country‐level corruption on firm value. This evidence is consistent with higher director pay in corrupt countries incentivizing effort.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha Burns & Anna Kapalczynski & John K. Wald, 2021. "Independent director compensation, corruption, and monitoring," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 56(1), pages 5-28, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:finrev:v:56:y:2021:i:1:p:5-28
    DOI: 10.1111/fire.12232
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Robin & Li, Shenru & Li, Wen & Mu, Yayu, 2024. "Friend with benefits: Evidence from director's corruption culture on mergers and acquisitions," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 112-127.
    2. John (Jianqiu) Bai & Matthew Serfling & Sarah Shaikh, 2022. "Financial disclosure transparency and employee wages," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 57(4), pages 751-773, November.
    3. Dan W. French & Thibaut G. Morillon & Adam S. Yore & Andrew E. Kern, 2023. "The impact of exchange listing on corporate governance: Evidence from direct listings," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 58(2), pages 197-234, May.
    4. Maria Aluchna & Bogumił Kamiński & Małgorzata Wrzosek, 2024. "Anti-corruption disclosure: evidence from the natural experiment of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 51(2), pages 165-182, June.
    5. Hamdi Driss & Sadok El Ghoul & Omrane Guedhami & John K. Wald, 2023. "Governance and leverage: International evidence," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 58(2), pages 261-285, May.

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