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Academy fellow independent directors and innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Sihai Li

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
    West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences)

  • Yi Quan

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
    Hunan Universtiy of Technology and Business)

  • Gary Gang Tian

    (Macquarie University)

  • Kun Tracy Wang

    (Australian National University)

  • Stella Huiying Wu

    (Western Sydney University)

Abstract

Drawing on human capital theory, this paper develops a contingency approach to explore how independent directors’ scarce human capital affects innovation investment intensity and innovation outputs in the Chinese context. Controlling for the presence of ordinary technical independent directors (TIDs) and a range of other factors, we find that academy fellow independent directors (AFIDs) have an incremental positive effect on innovation investment intensity and innovation outputs, and that this effect exists only for non–state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), which are more constrained in their ability and resources to pursue value-enhancing innovation activities. Our channel analyses suggest that AFIDs play a strong resource provision role in enhancing innovation. However, their positive role in promoting impactful innovation activities diminishes when they face intensified government intervention and political risk. We clearly document that regulations that are designed to impose only intense external monitoring of independent directors may have unintended negative consequences on innovation, particularly when firms’ demands for resource provision are intense, as is the case with firm innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sihai Li & Yi Quan & Gary Gang Tian & Kun Tracy Wang & Stella Huiying Wu, 2022. "Academy fellow independent directors and innovation," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 103-148, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiapa:v:39:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10490-020-09749-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10490-020-09749-3
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    2. Kun Tracy Wang & Nathan Zhenghang Zhu, 2023. "Conditional Mandates on Management Earnings Forecasts: The Impact on the Cost of Debt," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 59(4), pages 901-953, December.

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