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Board independence and operating performance: Analysis on (French) company and individual data

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  • Sandra Cavaco
  • Edouard Challe
  • Patricia Crifo
  • Antoine Rebérioux
  • Gwenael Roudaut

Abstract

While often criticized, independence remains the ultimate criterion for evaluating board composition, whether for regulators or shareholder activists. In this study, we examine the relationship between board independence and firm operating performance in a panel of French listed companies, paying particular attention to heterogeneity and endogeneity concerns. We take advantage of an original database, with a time-series dimension that can be used to mitigate heterogeneity and dynamic endogeneity issues through GMM estimators. In addition, this database can be disaggregated at the individual (director) level. This design enables us to introduce firm fixed effects and individual fixed effects in (firm) performance equations, thereby controlling for heterogeneity at the firm and individual levels. To our knowledge, this is the first paper so far to provide a systematic account on this issue for France. Our main result is to document a significant negative relationship between accounting performance and the independence status (irrespective of the person). This result supports the argument of an information gap suffered by independent board members, as developed by Adams and Ferreira (2007).

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Cavaco & Edouard Challe & Patricia Crifo & Antoine Rebérioux & Gwenael Roudaut, 2014. "Board independence and operating performance: Analysis on (French) company and individual data," EconomiX Working Papers 2014-2, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    • Handle: RePEc:drm:wpaper:2014-2
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    Cited by:

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    3. Shivan Sarpal, 2018. "Does Endogeneity in Causal Relationships Matter: A Case of Board Independence and Firm’s Market Valuation," Emerging Economy Studies, International Management Institute, vol. 4(1), pages 19-39, May.
    4. Majid Jamal Khan & Faiza Saleem & Shahab Ud Din & Muhammad Yar Khan, 2024. "Nexus between boardroom independence and firm financial performance: evidence from South Asian emerging market," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Patricia Crifo & Antoine Rebérioux, 2016. "Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility: a typology of OECD countries," Post-Print halshs-01591993, HAL.
    6. 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).
    7. Patricia Crifo & Elena Escrig-Olmedo & Nicolas Mottis, 2019. "Corporate Governance as a Key Driver of Corporate Sustainability in France: The Role of Board Members and Investor Relations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(4), pages 1127-1146, November.
    8. Ozcan Isik & Umit Firat Tasgin, 2017. "Profitability and Its Determinants in Turkish Manufacturing Industry: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel Model," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(8), pages 66-75, August.
    9. Mete KARAYEL & Mesut DOGAN, 2016. "Board Composition and Firm Performance: Evidence from BIST 100 Companies in Turkey," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 2, pages 33-40.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    board structure; independent directors; informational gap; GMM estimator; director fixed effects; individual heterogeneity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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