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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 85 2024

Director networks and firm value

Tor-Erik Bakke1; Jeffrey R. Black2; Hamed Mahmudi3; Scott C. Linn4

1 University of Illinois Chicago · 2 University of Memphis · 3 University of Delaware · 4 University of Oklahoma

open access

Abstract

Are the professional networks of directors valuable? To separate the effect of director networks on firm value from the effect of other value-relevant director attributes, we use the unexpected deaths of directors as a shock to the director networks of interlocked directors. By studying the announcement returns and using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find the negative shock to director networks reduces the value of interlocked firms – a result that is stronger for firms that are more likely to benefit from access to information from board connections. This evidence is consistent with director networks being valuable and improving access to information.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2024.102545
Volume
85
Pages
102545
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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