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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 60 2020

Rookie directors and firm performance: Evidence from China

Zonghao Chen1; Michael O’Connor Keefe2

1 Guangdong University of Foreign Studies · 2 Victoria University of Wellington

Abstract

This paper examines the benefits and costs associated with rookie independent directors (RIDs) in Chinese public companies from 2008 to 2014. We find that RIDs attend more board meetings. Boards with more RIDs tunnel less to controlling shareholders, suggesting that RIDs are efficient monitors. However, in state-owned firms, the presence of RIDs is negatively associated with investment efficiency, suggesting a potential cost of appointing RIDs. Overall, firms with more RIDs have higher operating performance, especially when tunneling is a more common issue, when board experience is less important and when monitoring costs are relatively low.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2019.101511
Volume
60
Pages
101511
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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