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How do foreign investors affect corporate policy?: Evidence from Korea

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  • Jeon, Jin Q.
  • Ryoo, Juyoun

Abstract

This paper focuses on a mechanism through which foreign investors affect corporate policy in emerging economies. We hypothesize that foreign investors who provide effective monitoring may affect corporate policy through pushing for a greater proportion of outsiders or foreigners on the board of directors who are less affiliated with controlling shareholders. Using the unique features of foreign ownership in Korea, we find that firms with an increase in foreign ownership are more likely to increase the fraction of outsiders and foreign directors on the board in the subsequent year. Increased board independence in response to a pressure from foreign investors results in a significant change in payout and investment policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeon, Jin Q. & Ryoo, Juyoun, 2013. "How do foreign investors affect corporate policy?: Evidence from Korea," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 52-65.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:25:y:2013:i:c:p:52-65
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2012.05.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Young Mok Choi & Kunsu Park, 2019. "Foreign Ownership, Agency Costs, and Long-Term Firm Growth: Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Cao, Chunfang & Xia, Changyuan & Chan, Kam C., 2016. "Social trust and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 148-165.
    3. repec:hit:hitjcm:v:56:y:2015:i:1:p:35-53 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Ho, Po-Hsin & Lin, Chih-Yung & Tsai, Wei-Che, 2016. "Effect of country governance on bank privatization performance," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 3-18.
    5. Naina Narang & Seema Gupta & Naliniprava Tripathy, 2023. "A bibliometric analysis of governance mechanisms in dividend decisions: an overview and emerging trends," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(4), pages 410-430, December.
    6. Chauhan, Yogesh & Kumar, Satish, 2017. "Does founder ownership affect foreign investments? Evidence from India," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 116-129.
    7. Alina ȚARAN, 2019. "Corporate ownership and capital structure: evidence from Romania," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 10, pages 133-150, June.
    8. Min, Byung-Seong & Chen, Chien-Nan & Tien, Chengli, 2022. "Firms' responses to corporate governance reform in an emerging economy from the perspective of institutional logics," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 278-289.
    9. Chauhan, Yogesh & Kumar, Surya B., 2019. "Does accounting comparability alleviate the informational disadvantage of foreign investors?11We thank the editor, Professor Carl R. Chen, and two reviewers for their comments that greatly improved th," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 114-129.
    10. Lee, Sanglae, 2015. "Corporate Governance And Firm Performance: Evidence From Institutional Investors And Proxy Voting In Korea," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 56(1), pages 35-53, June.
    11. Tung-Hao Lee & Jiun-Kai Huang, 2013. "Financial Liberalization, Foreign Ownership and Corporate Operational Efficiency: The Case of Taiwan Market," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 3, pages 34-47, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign ownership; Board of directors; Payout policy; Investment policy;
    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
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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