Download This PaperThe Dark side of Independent Boards, the Case of Corporate Social Responsibility
39 Pages Posted: 15 Jun 2020 Last revised: 21 Nov 2022
Date Written: April 27, 2020
Abstract
Independent boards have been documented to have a positive effect on corporate governance, however, I show that independent boards improve shareholder value at the cost of sacrificing corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically, I find that stakeholders such as employees and consumers' interest have been compromised as a result of board myopia. This result is even stronger among firms in industries with intense product market competition, and among firms with more analysts followed. My result also suggests that negative corporate social behavior may not be fully priced by investors.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility
JEL Classification: G23
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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