Corporate Governance Ratings Research Articles

Evaluating Corporate Governance: Guiding Principles and Calls for Future Research

SYNOPSIS Prior research finds that companies’ evaluation of corporate governance is often piecemeal and symbolic, leaving companies vulnerable to systematic risks associated with governance failures. In this paper, we use interview data from 29 chief audit executives (CAEs) from publicly traded companies in the U.S. to propose guiding principles for how companies can formally evaluate their overall internal corporate governance systems. Our guiding principles can be adapted for a variety of governance-related objectives and leverage existing frameworks. We conclude by offering suggestions for future research. JEL Classifications: G34; M42.

The impact of corporate governance on firms' propensity to innovate - multidimensional and cross-country analysis

The study examines the correlation between corporate governance ratings, a crucial element of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) index provided by Thomson Reuters, and companies' inclination towards innovation. Employing a cross-country analysis, the research explores how governance ratings influence corporate innovation decisions. The results reveal a positive association between corporate governance scores and the implementation of innovative practices. Notably, board effectiveness, commitment, vigilance, and compensation structure significantly impact firms' innovation levels. The study further demonstrates that the positive relationship between ESG ratings and innovation is particularly pronounced in companies with larger, more diverse boards, active audit committees, and well-structured compensation systems. This research enhances our understanding of how robust corporate governance frameworks can drive innovation by fostering transparency, accountability, and a positive work environment. Such governance structures mitigate risks, deter unethical behavior, and promote long-term corporate sustainability. Consequently, the study suggests that organizations should prioritize strong corporate governance practices to bolster their innovation capabilities. The findings underscore the pivotal role of corporate governance in shaping firms' innovative potential, contributing valuable insights to the intersection of governance and innovation in the corporate landscape.

Tax avoidance, CSR performance and CEO characteristics: Evidence from developed and developing countries

We explore the association between tax avoidance, CEO characteristics, and corporate social responsibility based on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) ratings, with a specific focus on financial firms in both developed and developing countries. Despite extensive literature on CSR and tax behavior, there is a gap in understanding how these elements interact within the financial sector across diverse economic environments. Using a dataset comprising 996 financial firms from 51 countries, spanning the period from 2002 to 2021, we find a significant negative association between ESG performance and tax avoidance for firms in developed countries, suggesting that firms in developed countries with higher ESG engagement tend to pay more taxes. The results in developed countries also indicate that governance and the social pillar are the factors contributing to the reduction of tax aggressiveness. On the contrary, our results reveal a significant positive relationship between CEO duality and tax avoidance for firms in developing countries. These results not only fill the existing research gap by providing empirical evidence in the links between ESG, CEO characteristics, and tax avoidance in the financial sector but also underscore the importance of institutional differences between developed and developing countries. Our results remain robust when using alternative estimators that control for heteroskedasticity and endogeneity. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and market participants, highlighting the need of a strong corporate governance and tax regulation that consider both ESG performance and CEO attributes.

Analyzing the Influence of Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance Ratings on Corporate Performance

Analyzing the Influence of Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance Ratings on Corporate Performance

Controlling shareholders, their incentives and corporate governance ratings

PurposeThis study aims to facilitate the development of a better understanding of how controlling shareholders respond to the mandatory system of corporate governance rating (CGR) for all firms listed on Taiwanese stock markets and the incentives of controllers to apply corporate governance best practices.Design/methodology/approachUsing CGR data for all Taiwanese listed firms from 2014 to 2020, this study examines whether controlling shareholders determine a firm’s CGR.FindingsSingle-family-controlled firms have the lowest CGRs, and management-controlled firms have the highest ratings. Blockholder-controlled firms are more likely to have top 20% ratings than single-family-controlled firms and bottom 20% ratings than single-family and management-controlled firms. All three categories of firms have unfavorable (favorable) ratings because of substitute governance effects (signaling effects).Originality/valueManagement-controlled firms, in which agency problems refer to principal-agent conflicts, are more likely to have good ratings than single-family controlled firms, in which agency problems refer to principal-principal conflicts. Blockholder-controlled firms have extreme ratings, suggesting that multiple large shareholders develop corporate governance practices consistent with their best interests to increase firm value or expropriate wealth. Low cash flow rights and high control-ownership divergence lead firms to adopt additional governance arrangement(s) to make shareholders trust firms with capital and signal to shareholders that they can trust them with their capital.

The impact of ESG responsibility performance on corporate resilience

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and uncertain external corporate environment, how to quickly adjust and recover from external risk shocks and challenges by improving corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility performance has become key to achieving sustainable growth for companies today. Although emerging concepts, such as ESG and corporate resilience have received widespread societal attention, exactly how ESG responsibility performance can enhance development resilience has yet to be sufficiently explained. To this end, this paper explores the mechanisms and characteristics of corporate ESG responsibility performance on corporate resilience, using a sample of 4527 A-share listed companies selected for the ESG rating by China Securities from 2009 to 2021. The study finds that: Firstly, the better the ESG responsibility performance, the more resilient the companies; each unit increase in ESG rating increases the economic value added (EVA) rate of total assets by 0.63% and reduces the risk of corporate bankruptcy by 0.32%, thus increasing corporate resilience. In addition, all three ESG sub-indicators contribute to the improvement of corporate resilience, with corporate governance rating having a more significant impact on corporate resilience. Secondly, the mechanism analysis shows that the level of the investor interaction, intensity of strategy investment, and quality of the government–business relationship play a moderating role in the process of ESG responsibility performance affecting corporate resilience. Thirdly, certain heterogeneous characteristics of ESG responsibility performance affect corporate resilience. Fourthly, there is a lag in the impact of ESG responsibility performance on corporate resilience, with the impact largely disappearing after a four-period lag.

Do ESG ratings inhibit corporate leverage manipulation? The moderating effects of internal and external supervision

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationship between corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and leverage manipulation and the moderating effects of internal and external supervision. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on a sample of Chinese non-financial A-share-listed firms from 2013 to 2020 to explore the effect of ESG ratings on leverage manipulation. Robustness and endogeneity tests confirm the validity of the regression results. Findings ESG ratings inhibit leverage manipulation by improving social reputation, information transparency and financing constraints. This effect is weakened by internal supervision, captured by the ratio of institutional investor ownership, and strengthened by external supervision, captured by the level of marketization. The effect is stronger in non-state-owned firms and firms in non-polluting industries. The governance dimension of ESG exhibits the strongest effect, with comprehensive environmental governance ratings and social governance ratings also suppressing leverage manipulation. Practical implications Firms should strive to cultivate environmental awareness, fulfil their social responsibilities and enhance internal governance, which may help to strengthen the firm’s sustainability orientation, mitigate opportunistic behaviours and ultimately contribute to high-quality firm development. The top managers of firms should exercise self-restraint and take the initiative to reduce leverage manipulation by establishing an appropriate governance structure and sustainable business operation system that incorporate environmental and social governance in addition to general governance. Social implications Policymakers and regulators should formulate unified guidelines with comprehensive criteria to improve the scope and quality of ESG information disclosure and provide specific guidance on ESG practice for firms. Investors should incorporate ESG ratings into their investment decision framework to lower their portfolio risk. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature in four ways. Firstly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is among the first to show that high ESG ratings may mitigate firms’ opportunistic behaviours. Secondly, it identifies the governance factor of leverage manipulation from the perspective of firms’ subjective sustainability orientation. Thirdly, it demonstrates that the relationship between ESG ratings and leverage manipulation varies with the level of internal and external supervision. Finally, it highlights the importance of governance in guaranteeing the other two dimensions’ roles by decomposing overall ESG.

Indonesia Insurance Corporate Governance: A Literature Review

The aim of this research is to present and evaluate corporate governance framework for insurance companies in Indonesia based on previous researches related to corporate governance and The Indonesia Financial Services Authority Regulation. We evaluate concerning to governance objectives that include protecting shareholder interests, enhancing shareholder value, ensuring accountability, managing risk, promoting ethical behavior, transparency and disclosure, balancing interests, strategic decision-making, compliance with laws and regulations, efficient operations, long-term sustainability, stakeholder engagement, adapting to change, creating a positive reputation, and facilitating investment. We discuss the corporate governance framework for insurance companies in Indonesia based on the Indonesia Financial Services Authority regulation that states governance structure, corporate governance code, self-assessment & governance report, governance process and corporate governance principles to meet governance objectives. Although every year all insurance companies report corporate governance, but some companies have been stopped by the Authority. This raises research problems for the future relating to why insurance companies that have complied with corporate governance provisions have been stopped by the Authority.

ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE QUALITY IN ENTERPRISES

Purpose. To examine the theoretical and methodological foundations of the concept of corporate governance quality in enterprises and their application. Generalization of the theoretical approach to formulating the essence of corporate governance and its quality. Examination of quality assessment methods. Analysis of indicators characterizing the quality of corporate governance. Formulation of measures to improve the quality of corporate governance. Methodology. The research methods included: analysis and synthesis - in substantiating the essence of corporate governance and formulating its structural components; graphical method - in presenting visual analysis results; logical generalization method - in analyzing theoretical approaches to organizing corporate governance. Results. This paper examined the concept, structure, and types of corporate governance. Key elements and approaches to its definition were considered. The process of implementing enterprise strategy was examined. Generalized studies on the quality of corporate governance were reviewed. A rating assessment of corporate governance quality was formulated. Preconditions for the formation of corporate conflicts among key participant groups were examined. A rating assessment of the potential for resolving and preventing corporate conflicts was discussed. An assessment of corporate governance rating was developed, including a component that evaluates the subjective composition of corporate relationship participants. Scientific novelty. Lies in the analysis of enterprise activities and calculation of a possible option to increase the corporate governance quality rating of the enterprise. Practical significance. The paper contains practical recommendations aimed at improving the existing mechanism for assessing the quality of corporate governance in enterprises.

CGSC, audit quality, and Internet reporting: The mediation and moderation analysis

Research Questions: In what ways does the corporate governance scorecard (CGSC) and internet reporting intersect with audit quality? To what extent do technological advancement and auditor qualifications moderate the association between internet reporting, corporate governance (CGSC), and audit quality? In what capacity does audit quality mediate the association between internet reporting and the corporate governance scorecard (CGSC)? Motivation: The rationale for conducting this study is to fill a known void in the academic literature concerning corporate governance in developing nations, with Egypt serving as an example. Idea: The main idea of our study is to understand the impact of CGSC-measured corporate governance on internet reporting of financial and non-financial information. Our study also seeks to determine whether audit quality acts as a mediator and whether auditor qualifications and technological advancement moderate this relationship. Data: Using a questionnaire, 258 auditors from various auditing firms, including the Big4 and national audit firms with international affiliation, data were collected. Tools: Factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and Structure Equation Modelling. Findings: Corporate governance assessed by CGSC improves the Internet reporting through the mediation of audit quality, with auditor qualifications and technological advancement serving as moderators. Contribution: This study contributes to the scholarly comprehension of the association that exist among CGSC, audit quality, and internet reporting. Implications for utilizing CGSC as a metric for evaluating corporate governance practices and its influence on online reporting are both theoretical and practical in nature. The investigation contributes valuable perspectives that can guide decision-making in practical and theoretical settings, thereby enhancing the academic discourse.

Unveiling the influence of institutional quality on board gender diversity and corporate environmental, social, and governance disputes in China

AbstractThis paper unravels an unprecedented interplay between board gender diversity (BGD) and corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disputes among Chinese A‐share‐listed nonfinancial companies from 2017 to 2021. Framed within a knowledge‐based and sensemaking perspective of institutional frameworks, the research not only illuminates the profound impact of internal (corporate governance ratings) and external (regional institutional development) institutional factors on this intricate relationship but also brings to light a paradigm‐shifting revelation. The study employed a diverse set of empirical tests, ranging from ordinary least squares regression to advanced methods such as the generalized method of moments, two‐stage least squares, and propensity score matching, providing a nuanced and comprehensive analysis. The findings highlight the pivotal role of female directors in significantly mitigating ESG disputes. A mechanism analysis further uncovers that internal and external institutional quality are potent positive moderators in shaping the BGD–ESG dispute dynamic. This research has profound implications, providing valuable insights for stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars, offering a comprehensive understanding of how gender diversity fosters sustainability while unravelling the intricate tapestry of internal and external institutional dynamics that shape ESG outcomes.

АНАЛІЗ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ КОРПОРАТИВНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ АГРОПРОМИСЛОВИМИ ПІДПРИЄМСТВАМИ

The article assesses the efficiency of corporate governance in the largest integrated enterprises of the agricultural sector of Ukraine. The research was conducted using the methods of induction and deduction, comparative analysis and theoretical generalization. The main provisions of large enterprises of the agricultural sector of Ukraine and their experience in implementing corporate governance were studied. The author has developed algorithms (methods) for assessing the corporate governance rating with the relevant classification areas of assessment and indicators for assessing the relevant areas, a four-level rating scale for assessing the level of formation of the corporate governance institution in integrated agricultural formations (agroholdings) of Ukraine. It is established that the main characteristic components of the assessment of the level of corporate governance are: supervisory board, board of directors, committees, corporate secretary, audit committee, charter, etc. It is determined that agriholdings whose shares are listed on international stock exchanges meet the highest level of corporate governance standards, the level of which reaches the maximum value. It is also established that this level is ensured mainly by compliance with corporate governance standards introduced by international stock exchanges (Warsaw and London). The weighted average level of corporate governance in integrated agrarian formations (agroholdings) of Ukraine is at an unsatisfactory level, which causes significant risks for shareholders and investors. It is proved that the existing theoretical and practical provisions and recommendations for the formation and development of the institution of corporate governance in integrated formations have been deepened and new theoretical and practical provisions and recommendations for the formation and development of the institution of corporate governance in integrated enterprises in the agricultural sector have been developed. The obtained practical results are a recommendation base and are aimed at solving the problems of formation and development of the institution of corporate governance of integrated enterprises in the agricultural sector, can be used by state institutions to improve the existing institutional support for the development of economic entities. The results of the research can be used by the legislative and executive bodies of the country, as well as by agrarian organizations engaged in production, harvesting and processing of products, and creation of a market system for dissemination of agricultural knowledge and information. Keywords: agrarian enterprise, corporate management, valuation of effectiveness, integrate formation, agroholdings, joint-stock company.

CEO narcissism and the agency cost of debt

This study investigates the relationship between CEO narcissism and debt financing costs, highlighting a potential trade-off between leadership traits and firm financial well-being. While prior research has identified potential benefits associated with narcissistic CEOs, such as enhanced innovation, we demonstrate that such leadership incurs higher borrowing costs, as evidenced by elevated bond yields in firms led by narcissistic executives. This effect is amplified for grandiose narcissists, suggesting that investors are particularly wary of their risk-taking tendencies. Leveraging a natural experiment, we establish a robust causal link between narcissism and debt costs, revealing higher bond yield premiums demanded by investors in firms with narcissistic CEOs. These findings underscore the critical importance of considering CEO personality traits, particularly narcissism when evaluating corporate governance practices and ensuring optimal alignment with stakeholders' interests.

Corporate governance and green innovation: international evidence

PurposeThis study aims to exploit Tobin’s Q model of investment to examine the relationship between corporate governance and green innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a sample of 3,896 firms from 2002 to 2021, covering 45 countries worldwide. The authors adopt Tobin’s Q model to conceptualize the relationship between corporate governance and investment in green research and development (R&D). The authors argue that agency costs and financial market frictions affect corporate investment and are fundamental factors in R&D activities. By limiting agency conflicts, effective governance favors efficiency, facilitates access to external financing and encourages green innovation. The authors analyzed the causal effect by using the system-generalized method of moments (system-GMM).FindingsThe results reveal that the better the corporate governance, the more the firm invests in green R&D. A 1%-point increase in the corporate governance ratings leads to an increase in green R&D expenses to the total asset ratio of about 0.77 percentage points. In addition, an increase in the score of each dimension (strategy, management and shareholder) of corporate governance results in an increase in the probability of green product innovation. Finally, green innovation is positively related to firm environmental performance, including emission reduction and resource use efficiency.Practical implicationsThe findings provide implications to support managers and policymakers on how to improve sustainability through corporate governance. Governance mechanisms will help resolve agency problems and, in turn, encourage green innovation.Social implicationsUnderstanding the impact of corporate governance on green innovation may help firms combat climate change, a crucial societal concern. The present study helps achieve one of the precious UN’s sustainable development goals: Goal 13 on climate action.Originality/valueThis study goes beyond previous research by adopting Tobin’s Q model to examine the relationship between corporate governance and green R&D investment. Overall, the results suggest that effective corporate governance is necessary for environmental efficiency.

Corporate governance for sustainable development in Vietnam: Criteria for SOEs based on MCDM approach.

This research explores the nexus between corporate governance and sustainable development, focusing on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam. Recognizing the pivotal role of SOEs in the national economy, this study employs a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making approach (MCDM) to assess and enhance the corporate governance frameworks of these entities. First, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is employed to identify the most qualified prospective SOEs firms based on several quantitative criteria. Then, the spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP) model is used to identify priority weights for a given set of qualitative criteria, the Evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) model is implemented to rank enterprises in the SOEs sector. To validate the proposed models, a case study conducted within the Vietnamese electric power industry is utilized. The MCDM methodology integrates diverse factors such as business management, corporate social responsibility, and corporate governance shareholder to construct a comprehensive evaluation framework. By applying this approach, the study aims to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing corporate governance practices within Vietnamese SOEs. The study's findings illustrate the efficacy of the suggested approach in evaluating corporate governance performance, providing valuable insights for policymakers, corporate leaders, and stakeholders involved in shaping the governance landscape of SOEs in Vietnam. By aligning corporate governance with sustainable development principles, the research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on responsible business practices, offering practical recommendations to enhance the performance and resilience of SOEs in the pursuit of long-term socio-economic and environmental sustainability.

Exploration of Dynamics of Corporate Performance and Corporate Governance

This research explores the dynamics of corporate performance and governance in the context of globalization and fierce business competition. With a focus on the Spanish tourism sector and evaluating corporate governance in Latin America, the study uses a mixed approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis. The study aimed to understand the relationship between corporate performance and corporate governance by exploring the differences between family and non-family businesses. The research provides insight into how ownership, management, and governance practices can affect corporate performance through literature studies, return on capital analysis, and corporate governance evaluations. The results show that family businesses have unique dynamics involving emotional involvement and creativity, while good corporate governance is concerned with consistency of return on capital. Implications include a better understanding for organizational leaders in making investment decisions and sustainable business strategies. This research makes theoretical and practical contributions to understanding performance dynamics and corporate governance in global and local business contexts.

THE EFFECT OF IMPLEMENTING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON FINANCIAL REPORTING FRAUD (EMPIRICAL STUDY OF COMPANIES LISTED ON THE INDONESIAN STOCK EXCHANGE 2016-2021)

This study aims to explore the impact of corporate governance and its mechanisms in preventing companies from resorting to fraudulent financial reporting. The mechanism is based on eight corporate governance mechanisms, including board independence, board remuneration, managerial finance expertise, management industry expertise, board financial expertise, board industry expertise, board scope of effort and managerial ownership. For this purpose, using systematic random sampling, information from 40 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) for six years from 2016 to 2021 was collected, and hypotheses were tested using a linear regression model. To measure fraudulent financial reporting, the Beneish-adjusted model was used to evaluate corporate governance. The mechanism used has been reviewed and calculated as a composite index of corporate governance. The findings indicate that strong corporate governance significantly reduces corporate intentions towards fraudulent financial reporting. A negative and significant relationship was observed between each of the eight corporate governance mechanisms, except for board remuneration which showed an insignificant positive relationship.

Acquirers’ corporate governance ratings and the likelihood of deal completion: Do stakeholders care about the agency hazards of European cross-border acquirers?

Acquirers’ corporate governance ratings and the likelihood of deal completion: Do stakeholders care about the agency hazards of European cross-border acquirers?

The Impact of Corporate Governance Capacity on Share Price

Efficient Markets Hypothesis, one of the main theories of traditional finance, states that markets are efficient and investors do not have the opportunity to obtain abnormal profits. Behavioral finance, which argues that individuals do not always behave rationally and that psychological factors have an effect on investor behavior, is against the Efficient Markets Hypothesis and accepts that the investor has the opportunity to gain extra income by being influenced by many factors. Corporate governance, which started to exist in the face of increased management challenges and asymmetric information with globalization, is a system in which business operations are managed and controlled. Companies with a corporate governance rating score of at least seven are traded in the Borsa Istanbul Corporate Governance Index, which first originated within the context of corporate governance and is becoming more significant every day. In this regard, the purpose of the research is to expose the possible consequences of the fixed (unchanging), upward (increasing) and downward (decreasing) movements of the corporate governance rating scores of the companies included in the Corporate Governance Index throughout the years, on the share price. At this point, the prediction that not only the effect of being included in the index, but also the differences in the ratings of the companies in the index can be taken into account by the market participants, reveals both the motivation of this study and the contribution it will provide to the literature. In line with the purpose of the research, the corporate governance rating of the companies traded in the Borsa Istanbul Corporate Governance Index has been analyzed with the Case Study, taking into account the increasing 508, decreasing 58 and unchanged 21 events compared to the previous period. It is found that the market, whose corporate governance score consists of shares that are fixed, increasing, or decreasing over time, gives participants the chance to earn returns above average.

How useful are commercial corporate governance ratings? Evidence from emerging markets

A central issue in evaluating the effects of firm-level corporate governance (FLCG) is how to measure it. We focus here on emerging markets (EMs). One common approach to measuring FLCG uses country-specific (CSIs), tailored to each country's laws and institutions. Several studies report that CSIs can predict firm outcomes in a panel data framework with two-way (firm and time) fixed effects (TWFE). An alternate approach uses commercial CG ratings (CCGRs) that apply the same or similar elements across many countries. We assess the three best available CCGRs covering EMs (Asset4, Thomson Reuters, and MSCI), and find that they do not predict firm outcomes with TWFE in EMs. We also provide evidence that the likely cause for CCGRs' lack of performance is their poor construction rather than the inability of FLCG measures to predict outcomes. CSI-based studies suggest that disclosure (beyond country-mandated minimums) is the FLCG aspect that most consistently predicts firm outcomes in EMs. Yet, these CCGRs have no or minimal measures of disclosure. Other important limitations of the CCGRs include the use of elements that are U.S.-centric; reflect firm outcomes rather than CG; are implausible measures of good FLCG, or are vaguely or subjectively defined. We also attempt, but fail, to use element-level information from CCGRs to construct sound measures of FLCG.