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Customer concentration and firm risk: The role of outside directors from a major customer

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  • Kim, Taeyeon
  • Kim, Hyun-Dong
  • Park, Kwangwoo

Abstract

This paper examines the role of customer-affiliated outside directors on suppliers in reducing risk arising from having a major customer. Using a sample of US supplier firms, we find that a positive relationship between having a major customer and supplier risk is weakened with the presence of the major customer's representatives at suppliers' board. We further show that suppliers with customer-affiliated outside directors are more likely to have less conservative financial policies. Our results suggest that customers' board membership at suppliers helps mitigate the business risk due to the tightened supplier–customer relationship and reduced information asymmetry.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Taeyeon & Kim, Hyun-Dong & Park, Kwangwoo, 2023. "Customer concentration and firm risk: The role of outside directors from a major customer," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:152:y:2023:i:c:s0378426623000948
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2023.106870
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Customer concentration; Major customer; Firm risk; Interlocked board; Outside directors; Relationship-specific investments; Information asymmetry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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