Boards of Directors and Financial Risk during the Credit Crisis
Corporate Governance: An International Review, 2013, 21(1): 58–78
47 Pages Posted: 3 Oct 2012 Last revised: 20 Jul 2023
Date Written: January 10, 2013
Abstract
Research Question/Issue: This research examines the relationship between board processes and corporate financial risk. Using a unique questionnaire survey about board behavior, several measures related to board processes are developed and used to explain certain aspects of financial risk during the recent crisis.
Research Findings/Insights: In a sample of 141 companies with complete data collected from company chairs on both board structure and process, board process is found to be an important determinant of financial risk during the crisis of 2008-2009. In particular, financial risk is lower where non-executive directors have high effort norms and where board decision processes are characterized by a degree of cognitive conflict. The impact of cognitive conflict is however found to be less pronounced in boards with high levels of cohesiveness.
Theoretical/Academic Implications: The study provides theoretical and empirical advancement of the governance literature towards an understanding of group process-oriented views of boards’ work and effectiveness. This study identifies the significance of board processes and their impact on financial risk supported by quantitative empirics. Findings of a strong relationship between board process and financial risk augment existing theories to suggest that the effects of boards work through group processes that bring executives and non-executives together in relations laced with control and collaboration.
Practitioner/Policy Implications: Regulators, acting post the financial crisis have produced governance codes that emphasize risk management as a key responsibility of boards. The link between board process and financial risk established in this paper provides evidence for company chairs and other directors on the possibilities and potential effectiveness of boards in discharging this responsibility.
Keywords: Corporate Governance, Board Effectiveness, Board Processes, Corporate Liquidity, Financial Risk
JEL Classification: G3, G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Recommended Papers
-
By Grzegorz Pawlina and Luc Renneboog
-
The Managerial Labour Market and the Governance Role of Shareholder Control Structures in the UK
-
By Hyun-han Shin and Yong H. Kim
-
The Underinvestment and Overinvestment Hypotheses: An Analysis Using Panel Data
By Arthur Morgado and Julio Pindado
-
Investment and Internal Finance: Asymmetric Information or Managerial Discretion?
By Abe De Jong and Hans Degryse
-
Leverage, Debt Maturity and Firm Investment: An Empirical Analysis