IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/ijodag/v21y2024i3d10.1057_s41310-023-00209-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Ownership concentration, managerial ownership, and firm performance in Saudi listed firms

Author

Listed:
  • Helmi A. Boshnak

    (King Abdulaziz University)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of ownership concentration and managerial ownership on firm performance in Saudi listed firms. The relationship between ownership concentration, managerial ownership, and firm performance is examined using a Fixed effects (FE) model and a Two-Stage least squares (2SLS) regression model for 70 Saudi listed firms over the period 2016–2021 to enable hypothesis testing, thereby addressing any autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, and endogeneity issues. Ownership structure is captured in terms of ownership concentration and managerial ownership, and firm performance is gauged in terms of accounting-based performance (ROA and ROE) and market-based performance (TQ and MBR). The results show that the degree of both ownership concentration and managerial ownership positively affect firm performance, thus supporting agency theory and alignment effects arguments. Further, sales growth, audit firm size, and firm age positively affect firm performance while firm leverage, liquidity, and size have a negative effect. The findings have significant implications for Saudi regulators in their efforts to improve the efficiency of rapidly developing domestic capital markets, as well as to enhance investor protection and maintain economic confidence. The analysis may also contribute to the call for a corporate governance code to protect minority shareholders. The study has implications for investors, academics, and policymakers, as the findings indicate that ownership variables such as ownership concentration and managerial ownership have a key impact on firm operational and market performance. Investors may consider the findings to better understand the ownership-performance dynamic of Saudi listed firms when building their investment portfolios.

Suggested Citation

  • Helmi A. Boshnak, 2024. "Ownership concentration, managerial ownership, and firm performance in Saudi listed firms," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(3), pages 462-475, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:ijodag:v:21:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1057_s41310-023-00209-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41310-023-00209-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41310-023-00209-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41310-023-00209-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nidhi Bansal & Anil K. Sharma, 2016. "Audit Committee, Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from India," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(3), pages 103-116, March.
    2. Hausman, Jerry, 2015. "Specification tests in econometrics," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 38(2), pages 112-134.
    3. Panayotis Kapopoulos & Sophia Lazaretou, 2007. "Corporate Ownership Structure and Firm Performance: evidence from Greek firms," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(2), pages 144-158, March.
    4. Yaseen Al-Janadi, 2021. "Ownership Structure and Firm Performance in the Middle East: A Meta-Analysis," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Shahab Ud Din & Muhammad Arshad Khan & Majid Jamal Khan & Muhammad Yar Khan, 2021. "Ownership structure and corporate financial performance in an emerging market: a dynamic panel data analysis," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 17(8), pages 1973-1997, February.
    6. Roszaini Haniffa & Mohammad Hudaib, 2006. "Corporate Governance Structure and Performance of Malaysian Listed Companies," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(7-8), pages 1034-1062.
    7. Agrawal, Anup & Knoeber, Charles R., 1996. "Firm Performance and Mechanisms to Control Agency Problems between Managers and Shareholders," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 31(3), pages 377-397, September.
    8. Demsetz, Harold & Villalonga, Belen, 2001. "Ownership structure and corporate performance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 209-233, September.
    9. Roszaini Haniffa & Mohammad Hudaib, 2006. "Corporate Governance Structure and Performance of Malaysian Listed Companies," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(7‐8), pages 1034-1062, September.
    10. Rafael La Porta & Florencio Lopez‐De‐Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, 1999. "Corporate Ownership Around the World," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(2), pages 471-517, April.
    11. Jenifer Piesse & Roger Strange & Fahad Toonsi, 2012. "Is there a distinctive MENA model of corporate governance?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 16(4), pages 645-681, November.
    12. Dong‐Sung Cho & Jootae Kim, 2007. "Outside Directors, Ownership Structure and Firm Profitability in Korea," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(2), pages 239-250, March.
    13. Denis, David J. & Denis, Diane K., 1994. "Majority owner-managers and organizational efficiency," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 91-118, March.
    14. Helmi A. Boshnak, 2021. "Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Firm Performance in Saudi Arabia," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 12(3), pages 446-465, May.
    15. Bhagat, Sanjai & Bolton, Brian, 2008. "Corporate governance and firm performance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 257-273, June.
    16. Gillan, Stuart L., 2006. "Recent Developments in Corporate Governance: An Overview," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 381-402, June.
    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. Stijn Claessens & Burcin Yurtoglu, 2012. "Corporate Governance and Development," World Bank Publications - Reports 26874, The World Bank Group.
    19. Md. Abdur Rouf & Mohammad Sharif Hossain, 2018. "Ownership distribution and value of the banks in Bangladesh," International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 10(4), pages 378-390.
    20. Boyle, Glenn W. & Carter, Richard B. & Stover, Roger D., 1998. "Extraordinary Antitakeover Provisions and Insider Ownership Structure: The Case of Converting Savings and Loans," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 33(2), pages 291-304, June.
    21. Shleifer, Andrei & Vishny, Robert W, 1986. "Large Shareholders and Corporate Control," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(3), pages 461-488, June.
    22. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    23. Morck, Randall & Shleifer, Andrei & Vishny, Robert W., 1988. "Management ownership and market valuation," Scholarly Articles 29407535, Harvard University Department of Economics.
    24. Stijn Claessens, 2006. "Corporate Governance and Development," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 21(1), pages 91-122.
    25. Khaled Elsayed, 2007. "Does CEO Duality Really Affect Corporate Performance?," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(6), pages 1203-1214, November.
    26. Abdulrahman Al‐Razeen & Yusuf Karbhari, 2004. "Annual corporate information: importance and use inSaudi Arabia," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 19(1), pages 117-133, January.
    27. Slovin, Myron B & Sushka, Marie E, 1993. "Ownership Concentration, Corporate Control Activity, and Firm Value: Evidence from the Death of Inside Blockholders," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 48(4), pages 1293-1321, September.
    28. Yuan George Shan, 2019. "Managerial ownership, board independence and firm performance," Accounting Research Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(2), pages 203-220, July.
    29. Maria C. A. Balatbat & Stephen L. Taylor & Terry S. Walter, 2004. "Corporate governance, insider ownership and operating performance of Australian initial public offerings," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 44(3), pages 299-328, November.
    30. Mak, Y.T. & Kusnadi, Yuanto, 2005. "Size really matters: Further evidence on the negative relationship between board size and firm value," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 301-318, June.
    31. Fama, Eugene F & Jensen, Michael C, 1983. "Separation of Ownership and Control," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 26(2), pages 301-325, June.
    32. Beni Lauterbach & Alexander Vaninsky, 1999. "Ownership Structure and Firm Performance: Evidence from Israel," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 3(2), pages 189-201, June.
    33. Allam Hamdan, 2018. "Board interlocking and firm performance: the role of foreign ownership in Saudi Arabia," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(3), pages 266-281, March.
    34. Sanford J. Grossman & Oliver D. Hart, 1980. "Takeover Bids, the Free-Rider Problem, and the Theory of the Corporation," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 11(1), pages 42-64, Spring.
    35. Helmi A Boshnak & Abdullatif M Basheikh & Mazen S Basaif, 2021. "The Impact of Firm Characteristics on Firm Performance During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Saudi Arabia," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 11(9), pages 693-709.
    36. Helmi A. Boshnak & Abdullatif M. Basheikh & Mazen S. Basaif, 2021. "The Impact of Firm Characteristics on Firm Performance During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Saudi Arabia," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 11(9), pages 693-709, September.
    37. Naser Abdelkarim & Said Alawneh, 2009. "The Relationship Between Corporate Governance And The Performance Of Palestinian Firms: An Empirical Study," The International Journal of Business and Finance Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 3(2), pages 105-120.
    38. Allam Hamdan, 2018. "Board interlocking and firm performance: the role of foreign ownership in Saudi Arabia," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(3), pages 266-281, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Naeem Tabassum & Satwinder Singh, 2020. "Corporate Governance and Organisational Performance," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-030-48527-6, September.
    2. Aziz Jaafar & Lynn Hodgkinson & Mao-Feng Kao, 2019. "Ownership Structure, Board of Directors and Firm Performance: Evidence from Taiwan," Working Papers 19011, Bangor Business School, Prifysgol Bangor University (Cymru / Wales).
    3. Yaseen Al-Janadi, 2021. "Ownership Structure and Firm Performance in the Middle East: A Meta-Analysis," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, December.
    4. Yuan George Shan, 2019. "Managerial ownership, board independence and firm performance," Accounting Research Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(2), pages 203-220, July.
    5. Kun Wang & Greg Shailer, 2015. "Ownership Concentration And Firm Performance In Emerging Markets: A Meta-Analysis," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 199-229, April.
    6. Nguyen, Tuan & Locke, Stuart & Reddy, Krishna, 2015. "Ownership concentration and corporate performance from a dynamic perspective: Does national governance quality matter?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 148-161.
    7. Martin Kyere & Marcel Ausloos, 2021. "Corporate governance and firms financial performance in the United Kingdom," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(2), pages 1871-1885, April.
    8. Marc Goergen & Christine A. Mallin & Eve Mitleton-Kelly & Ahmed Al-Hawamdeh & Iris H-Y Chiu, 2010. "Corporate Governance and Complexity Theory," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13927.
    9. Nguyen, Tuan & Locke, Stuart & Reddy, Krishna, 2014. "A dynamic estimation of governance structures and financial performance for Singaporean companies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 1-11.
    10. Shkendije Himaj, 2014. "Corporate Governance in Banks and its Impact on Risk and Performance: Review of Literature on the Selected Governance Mechanisms," Journal of Central Banking Theory and Practice, Central bank of Montenegro, vol. 3(3), pages 53-85.
    11. Muniandy, Balachandran & Hillier, John, 2015. "Board independence, investment opportunity set and performance of South African firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(PA), pages 108-124.
    12. Gibson Hosea Munisi & Roy Mersland, 2016. "Ownership, Board Compensation and Company Performance in Sub-Saharan African Countries," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 15(2), pages 191-224, August.
    13. Amitava Roy, 2014. "Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: An Exploratory Analysis of Indian Listed Companies," Jindal Journal of Business Research, , vol. 3(1-2), pages 93-120, June.
    14. Omar Al Farooque & Tony Van Zijl & Keitha Dunstan & AKM Waresul Karim, 2007. "Corporate Governance in Bangladesh: Link between Ownership and Financial Performance," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(6), pages 1453-1468, November.
    15. Wang, Kun Tracy & Shailer, Greg, 2017. "Family ownership and financial performance relations in emerging markets," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 82-98.
    16. Isabel-María García-Sánchez, 2010. "The effectiveness of corporate governance: board structure and business technical efficiency in Spain," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 18(3), pages 311-339, September.
    17. Kun Tracy Wang & Greg Shailer, 2018. "Does Ownership Identity Matter? A Meta‐analysis of Research on Firm Financial Performance in Relation to Government versus Private Ownership," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 54(1), pages 1-35, March.
    18. Emmanuel Chuke Nwude & Musa Sani Zakirai & Comfort Amaka Nwude, 2023. "Ownership Structure and Bank Performance in Emerging Market Economy: Evidence From Nigerian Listed Deposit Money Banks," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    19. Mukhopadhyay, Jhuma & Chakraborty, Indrani, 2017. "Foreign institutional investment, business groups and firm performance: Evidence from India," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(PA), pages 454-465.
    20. Zeineb Barka & Taher Hamza, 2020. "The effect of large controlling shareholders on equity prices in France: monitoring or entrenchment?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 24(3), pages 769-798, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:ijodag:v:21:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1057_s41310-023-00209-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.