Which Aspects of Corporate Governance Do and Do Not Matter in Emerging Markets
Northwestern Law & Econ Research Paper No. 14-22
European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Finance Working Paper No. 566/2018
U of Michigan Law & Econ Research Paper
Journal of Law, Finance, and Accounting (Forthcoming)
50 Pages Posted: 2 May 2015 Last revised: 29 Nov 2019
Date Written: November 15, 2019
Abstract
Well-constructed, country-specific “corporate governance indices” can predict higher firm values in emerging markets. However, there is little credible research on which aspects of governance drive that overall relationship. We study that question across four major emerging markets (Brazil, India, Korea, and Turkey). We build overall country-specific governance indices, comprised of indices for disclosure, board structure, ownership structure, shareholder rights, board procedure, and control of related party transactions. Disclosure (especially financial disclosure) predicts higher market value across all four countries. Board structure (principally board independence) has a positive coefficient in all countries and is significant in two countries. The other indices do not predict firm value. These results suggest that regulators and investors, in assessing governance, and firm managers, in responding to investor pressure for better governance, would do well to focus on disclosure and board structure.
Keywords: Brazil, Korea, India, Turkey, corporate governance, boards of directors, disclosure, shareholder rights
JEL Classification: G18, G30, G34, G39, K22, K29
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation