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Is Board Size an Independent Corporate Governance Mechanism?

Author

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  • Stefan Beiner
  • Wolfgang Drobetz
  • Frank Schmid
  • Heinz Zimmermann

Abstract

Using a simultaneous equations framework with a comprehensive set of publicly listed Swiss companies, our findings suggest that the size of the board of directors is an independent corporate governance mechanism. This implies that any potential relationship between board size and firm valuation is indeed causal. However, in contrast to previous studies, we do not uncover a significant relationship between board size and firm valuation, which can be interpreted as support for the hypothesis of the existence of an optimal board size. On average, firms choose the number of board members just optimally. This indicates that cross‐sectional variations in board size to a large extent reflect differences in firms' underlying environment, and not mistaken choices. Die Ergebnisse der Schätzung eines simultanen Gleichungssystems mit einer repräsentativen Stichprobe börsengehandelter Schweizer Unternehmen zeigen, dass die Grösse des Verwaltungsrates einen eigenständigen Corporate Governance Mechanismus darstellt. Damit kann ein möglicher Zusammenhang zwischen der Grösse des Verwaltungsrates und dem Unternehmenswert als kausal interpretiert werden. Die empirischen Ergebnisse zeigen aber keine Evidenz für einen derartigen Zusammenhang, was die Hypothese einer optimalen Grösse des Verwaltungsrates stützt. Im Durchschnitt weist der Verwaltungsrat Schweizer Unternehmen die optimale Grösse auf. Die Unterschiede in der Grösse der Verwaltungsräte der Stichprobenunternehmen können zum grossen Teil durch unternehmensspezifische Einflussgrössen erklärt werden, und sind nicht auf eine falsche Besetzung des Verwaltungsrates zurückzuführen. En utilisant un système d'équations simultané, estimé sur l'ensemble des entreprises inscrites à la bourse suisse, nos résultats montrent que la taille du conseil d'administration résulte d'un mécanisme indépendant de gouvernance d'entreprise. Ceci implique qu'il existe véritablement un lien causal entre la taille du conseil d'administration et la valeur de l'entreprise. Néanmoins, contrairement aux études précédentes, nous n'avons pas découvert de relations significatives entre ces deux éléments, ce que l'on peut interpréter comme support pour l'hypothèse de l'existence d'une grandeur optimale du conseil d'administration. Le nombre de membres du conseil d'administration est en moyenne choisi de manière optimale. Ceci indique que la variation en coupe transversale de la taille du Conseil d'administration reflète en majeure partie des différences dans l'environnement de chaque enterprise plutôt que des mauvaises décisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Beiner & Wolfgang Drobetz & Frank Schmid & Heinz Zimmermann, 2004. "Is Board Size an Independent Corporate Governance Mechanism?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 327-356, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:57:y:2004:i:3:p:327-356
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0023-5962.2004.00257.x
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    1. Davidson, Russell & MacKinnon, James G., 1993. "Estimation and Inference in Econometrics," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195060119.
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