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The relationship among information asymmetry, dividend policy and ownership structure

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  • Lin, Tsui-Jung
  • Chen, Yi-Pei
  • Tsai, Han-Fang

Abstract

This study examines the relationship among information asymmetry, dividend policy and ownership structure for Chinese listed firms from 2003 to 2012. We find that firms with higher information asymmetry are less likely to pay dividends. Further, the sample is divided into state-controlled and non-state-controlled firms, and the results show that state-controlled firms with higher information asymmetry would pay higher dividends compared to non-state-controlled firms. In addition, we find that the split share structure reform enhanced information transparency, leading to a positive moderating effect on the relation between information asymmetry and dividend policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Tsui-Jung & Chen, Yi-Pei & Tsai, Han-Fang, 2017. "The relationship among information asymmetry, dividend policy and ownership structure," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 1-12.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:20:y:2017:i:c:p:1-12
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2016.06.008
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mehmet Levent Erdaş & Emel Bachá Sımoes, 2020. "The Relationship between Audit Mechanisms and Dividend Payout Policy within the Framework of Corporate Governance: The Case of Turkey," Journal of Economy Culture and Society, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 62(0), pages 255-284, December.
    3. Mousa Sharaf Adin Hezam Saleh & Yusnidah Ibrahim & Hanita Kadir Shahar, 2020. "The Simultaneous Effect of Corporate Ownership on Dividends and Capital Structure: Malaysian Evidence," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 11(6), pages 46-62, December.
    4. Hanaan Yaseen & Ruxandra Trifan, 2019. "The Impact of Dividend Events on Stock Returns: Findings on Companies Listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 11(2), pages 59-78, December.
    5. Saeed, Abubakr & Zamir, Farah, 2021. "How does CSR disclosure affect dividend payments in emerging markets?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    6. Zhao, Wenjia & Liang, Yiyan & Li, Pan, 2023. "Can enterprises' participation in targeted poverty alleviation reduce the cost of debt financing? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PC).
    7. Akindayomi, Akinloye & Amin, Md Ruhul, 2022. "Does business strategy affect dividend payout policies?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 531-550.
    8. Liu, Ningyue & Laing, Elaine & Cao, Yue & Zhang, Xiaofei, 2018. "Institutional ownership and corporate transparency in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 328-336.
    9. Salvador Bertomeu & Antonio Estache, 2019. "Should Infrastructure Regulators regulate Dividends? Hints from a Literature Survey," Working Papers ECARES 2019-18, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    10. Shah, Muhammad Hashim & Xiao, Zuoping & Abdullah,, 2023. "Internal pyramid structure, judicial efficiency, firm-level governance and dividend policy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 764-785.
    11. Yoonsoo Nam & Scott J Niblock & Elisabeth Sinnewe & Keith Jakob, 2018. "Do corporate directors ‘heap’ dividends? Evidence on dividend rounding and information uncertainty in Australian firms," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 43(3), pages 421-438, August.
    12. Tzu-Chun Sheng & Alvin Chang & Shu-Hui Lan & Shih-Cheng Li, 2020. "Analysis of the Dividend Policy Decision-Making Mechanism of Chinese and Taiwanese Lithium Battery Industries," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, October.
    13. Stereńczak, Szymon & Kubiak, Jarosław, 2022. "Dividend policy and stock liquidity: Lessons from Central and Eastern Europe," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    14. Hu, Jinshuai & Jiang, Haiyan & Wu, Yibing, 2023. "How does privatization affect cash dividends? Quasi-experimental evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    15. Liu, Yen-Yu & Lee, Pin-Sheng, 2022. "Market responses to cash dividends distributed from capital reserves," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    16. Mehmet Levent Erdaş & Emel Bachá Sımoes, 2020. "The Relationship between Audit Mechanisms and Dividend Payout Policy within the Framework of Corporate Governance: The Case of Turkey," Journal of Economy Culture and Society, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 62(62), pages 255-284, December.
    17. Ali, Heba, 2022. "Corporate dividend policy in the time of COVID-19: Evidence from the G-12 countries," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    18. Wang, Yang & Ashton, John K. & Jaafar, Aziz, 2019. "Does mutual fund investment influence accounting fraud?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 142-158.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information asymmetry; Ownership structure; Dividend policy; Split share structure reform;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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