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Does corporate governance matter in China?

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  • Cheung, Yan-Leung
  • Jiang, Ping
  • LIMPAPHAYOM, Piman
  • Lu, Tong

Abstract

This study assesses the quality of corporate governance practices of Chinese listed companies in 2004. Based on the Revised OECD Principles of Corporate Governance [OECD, 2004. Principles of Corporate Governance, Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.], we develop a corporate governance index (CGI) to measure the overall quality of corporate governance and disclosure practices of the 100 largest Chinese listed firms. The results show that some Chinese companies have been making progress in corporate governance reform. Specifically, there is a significant difference in the CGI of the top versus the bottom performing companies. Further, oversea-listed Chinese companies tend to show more regard for the role of stakeholders and disclosure and transparency than non-oversea-listed Chinese companies. However, further tests show that there is no statistically significant relation between the quality of corporate governance practices, as measured by the CGI, and market valuation among firms in the sample. It appears that, in 2004, the benefits of good corporate governance have not been fully incorporated into the market valuation of these Chinese companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheung, Yan-Leung & Jiang, Ping & LIMPAPHAYOM, Piman & Lu, Tong, 2008. "Does corporate governance matter in China?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 460-479, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:19:y:2008:i:3:p:460-479
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    11. Maadi Bakor Omar & Azhar B Abdul Rahman & Fathilatul Zakimi bin Abdul Hamid, 2018. "The Association between Corporate Governance and Disclosure of Audit Committee Characteristics: A Conceptual Model for the Saudi Listed Companies," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 8(3), pages 325-335, July.
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    13. Jack K. H. Fung & David Pecha, 2019. "The efficiency of compensation contracting in China: Do better CEOs get better paid?," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 749-772, October.
    14. Cheung, Yan-leung & OUYANG, Zhiwei & TAN, Weiqiang, 2009. "How regulatory changes affect IPO underpricing in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 692-702, December.
    15. Teng Lin & Marion Hutchinson & Majella Percy, 2015. "Earnings management and the role of the audit committee: an investigation of the influence of cross-listing and government officials on the audit committee," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 19(1), pages 197-227, February.
    16. Cheung, Yan-Leung & Chung, Cheong-Wing & Tan, Weiqiang & Wang, Wenming, 2013. "Connected board of directors: A blessing or a curse?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 3227-3242.
    17. Abdallah, Abed Al-Nasser & Ismail, Ahmad K., 2017. "Corporate governance practices, ownership structure, and corporate performance in the GCC countries," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 98-115.
    18. Zhou, Jing & Lan, Wei, 2018. "Investor protection and cross-border acquisitions by Chinese listed firms: The moderating role of institutional shareholders," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 438-450.
    19. Sharma, Narendra, 2014. "Extent of corporate governance disclosure by banks and finance companies listed on Nepal Stock Exchange," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 425-439.
    20. He, Yan & Chiu, Yung-ho & Zhang, Bin, 2015. "The impact of corporate governance on state-owned and non-state-owned firms efficiency in China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 252-277.
    21. Battaglia, Francesca & Gallo, Angela, 2015. "Risk governance and Asian bank performance: An empirical investigation over the financial crisis," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 53-68.
    22. Michail Nerantzidis, 2018. "The role of weighting in corporate governance ratings," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 22(3), pages 589-628, September.
    23. Gong, Qiang & Jacoby, Gady & Li, Shi & Lu, Lei, 2021. "Commonality in disagreement," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    24. Haß, Lars Helge & Vergauwe, Skrålan & Zhang, Qiyu, 2014. "Corporate governance and the information environment: Evidence from Chinese stock markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 106-119.
    25. T.R. Bishnoi & Sofia Devi Sh, 2015. "Corporate Governance and Performance of Foreign Firms in India," Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, , vol. 8(2), pages 137-152, December.

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