Share:


The role of female executives on corporate governance conformity: a cross-sectional analysis in an emergent market

    Tatiana Dănescu   Affiliation
    ; Maria-Alexandra Popa   Affiliation

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the importance of gender diversity for good corporate governance, although in developing countries a gap is observed in correlating compliance with corporate governance principles and board composition. Our study examines the influence of the board composition, including female executives, on compliance with the corporate governance code of companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. By analysing data collected from the annual reports (corporate governance statements, financial statements) of 63 companies listed on the Romanian capital market between 2016 and 2019 (divided into two panels depending on the listing tier – Premium and Standard), we identified a positive relationship between female executive and the degree of compliance with the Corporate Governance Code. The national majority capital positively and significantly influences the compliance of companies with female executives listed in the Standard Tier with the Code, while the private majority capital negatively influences the compliance of the companies regardless the listing tier. Our study highlights the importance of female executives in the corporate governance of listed companies on the Romanian capital market and brings empirical contribution to the literature development on a newly declared emerging market.


First published online 06 September 2022

Keyword : corporate governance code, female executive, corporate ownership, conformity, emerging markets, Bucharest Stock Exchange

How to Cite
Dănescu, T., & Popa, M.-A. (2022). The role of female executives on corporate governance conformity: a cross-sectional analysis in an emergent market. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 23(5), 1084–1105. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2022.17164
Published in Issue
Oct 7, 2022
Abstract Views
796
PDF Downloads
697
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Achim, M.-V., Borlea, S.-N., & Mare, C. (2016). Corporate governance and business performance: Evidence for the Romanian economy. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 17(3), 458–474. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2013.834841

Adams, R., & Ferreira, D. (2009). Women in the boardroom and their impact on governance and performance. Journal of Financial Economics, 94(2), 291–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2008.10.007

Albu, C., & Girbina, M. M. (2015). Compliance with corporate governance codes in emerging economies. How do Romanian listed companies “comply-or-explain”? Corporate Governance International Journal of Business in Society, 15(1), 85–107. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-07-2013-0095

Al-Rahahleh, A. S. (2017). Corporate governance quality, board gender diversity and corporate dividend policy: Evidence from Jordan. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 11(2), 86–104. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v11i2.6

Ararat, M., Claessens, S., & Yurtoglu, B. B. (2021). Corporate governance in emerging markets: A selective review and an agenda for future research. Emerging Markets Review, 48, 100767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ememar.2020.100767

Armstrong, C. S., Guay, W. R., & Weber, J. P. (2010). The role of information and financial reporting in corporate governance and debt contracting. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2–3), 179–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2010.10.001

Bae, S. C., Kwon, T. H., & Lee, J. W. (2011). Does corporate diversification by business groups create value? Evidence from Korean chaebols. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 19(5), 535–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2011.04.001

Baker, K. H., Pandey, N., Kumar, S., & Haldar, A. (2020). A bibliometric analysis of board diversity: Current status, development, and future research directions. Journal of Business Research, 108, 232–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.025

Bravo-Urquiza, F., & Moreno-Ureba, E. (2021). Does compliance with corporate governance codes help to mitigate financial distress? Research in International Business and Finance, 55, 101344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2020.101344

Bucharest Stock Exchange. (2015). Corporate governance code. BSE. https://www.bvb.ro/info/Rapoarte/Diverse/RO_Cod%20Guvernanta%20Corporativa_WEB_revised.pdf

Bucharest Stock Exchange. (2020, September 21). Historic moment Emerging Romania. The Romanian capital market becomes Emerging Market. Retrieved May 4, 2021, from https://bvb.ro/AboutUs/MediaCenter/PressItem/Historic-moment-Emerging-Romania.-The-Romanian-capital-market-becomes-Emerging-Market/5172

Burke, R. (2003). Women on corporate boards of directors: The timing is right. Women in Management Review, 18(7), 346–348. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420310498966

Cabeza-García, L., Del Brio, E. B., & Rueda, C. (2019). Legal and cultural factors as catalysts for promoting women in the boardroom. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 22(1), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brq.2018.06.004

Carter, D. A., Simkins, B. J., & Simpson, W. G. (2003). Corporate governance, board diversity and firm value. Financial Review, 38(1), 33–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6288.00034

Chijoke-Mgbame, A. M., Boateng, A., & Mgbame, Ch. O. (2020). Board gender diversity, audit committee and financial performance: Evidence from Nigeria. Accounting Forum, 44(3), 262–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/01559982.2020.1766280

Dănescu, T., & Popa, M.-A. (2019). Investigations regarding the influence of corporate governance on financial performance. Empirical study on banks listed on the Romanian capital market. Acta Marisiensis. Seria Oeconomica, 13(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.2478/amso-2019-0004

Dănescu, T., Spătăcean, I.-O., Popa, M.-A., & Sîrbu, C.-G. (2021). The impact of corporate governance mechanism over financial performance: Evidence from Romania. Sustainability, 13(19), 10494. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910494

Davis, L. (2011, February). Women on boards. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/31480/11-745-women-on-boards.pdf

de Villiers, C., & Dimes, R. (2021). Determinants, mechanisms and consequences of corporate governance reporting: A research framework. Journal of Management and Governance, 25, 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-020-09530-0

Deliu, D. (2020). Corporate governance in Romania: Academic literature review and research perspectives. Ovidius University Annals of Constanta – Series Civil Engineering, XX(1), 898–908.

Deloitte. (2021). Careers with equal opportunities: Women in leadership roles.

Dobija, D., Hryckiewicz, A., Zaman, M., & Puławska, K. (2022). Critical mass and voice: Board gender diversity and financial reporting quality. European Management Journal, 40(1), 29–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2021.02.005

Duh, M. (2017). Corporate governance codes and their role in improving corporate governance practice. In O. L. Emeagwali (Ed.), Corporate governance and strategic decision making. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69707

Eagly, A. H., & Johannesen-Schmidt, M. C. (2001). The leadership styles of women and men. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 781–797. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00241

Eagly, A. H., & Johnson, B. T. (1990). Gender and leadership style: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 108(2), 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.108.2.233

Ellis, L. (2015). Women on boards: A roadmap to success in corporate governance. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ecpe/women-on-boards-a-roadmap-to-success-in-corporate-governance/

Erhardt, N., Werbel, J., & Shrader, C. (2003). Board of director diversity and firm financial performance. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 11(2), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8683.00011

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2016). Corporate governance in transition economies. Romania country report. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://www.ebrd.com/documents/legal-reform/dpdf-corporate-governance-romania.pdf?blobnocache=true

European Commission. (2011). Green Paper: The EU corporate governance framework. Brussels, 5.4.2011. COM(2011) 164 final. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52011DC0164&from=RO

European Institute for Gender Equality. (2020a). Gender Statistics Database. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://eige.europa.eu/gender-statistics/dgs/indicator/wmidm_bus_bus__wmid_comp_compbm

European Institute for Gender Equality. (2020b). Gender Equality Index. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2020/RO

Eurostat Statistics Explained. (2021). Gender pay gap statistics. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Gender_pay_gap_statistics#Gender_pay_gap_levels_vary_significantly_across_EU

Feleagă, N., Feleagă, L., Dragomir, V. D., & Bigioi, A. D. (2011). Corporate governance in emerging economies: The case of Romania. Theoretical and Applied Economics, XVIII(9(562), 5–16.

García-Ramos, R., & Díaz, B. D. (2020). Board structure and firm financial performance: A qualitative comparative analysis. Long Range Planning, 102017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2020.102017

García‐Sánchez, I., Oliveira, M. C., & Martínez‐Ferrero, J. (2020). Female directors and gender issues reporting: The impact of stakeholder engagement at country level. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1), 369–382. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1811

Goncharov, I., Werner, J. R., & Zimmermann, J. (2006). Does compliance with the German corporate governance code have an impact on stock valuation? An empirical analysis. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 14(5), 432–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2006.00516.x

Goyal, R., Kakabadse, N., Kakabadse, A., & Talbot, D. (2021). Female board directors’ resilience against gender discrimination. Gender, Work & Organization. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12669

Hernández-Cánovas, G., Mínguez-Vera, A., & Sánchez-Vidal, J. (2016). Ownership structure and debt as corporate governance mechanisms: An empirical analysis for Spanish SMEs. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 17(6), 960–976. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2013.859171

Huse, M., & Solberg, A. G. (2006). Gender-related boardroom dynamics: How Scandinavian women make and can make contributions on corporate boards. Women in Management Review, 21(2), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420610650693

International Finance Corporation. (2015). A guide to corporate governance practices in the European Union. World Bank Group. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/22063

Kim, O., Kuang, Y. F., & Qin, B. (2020). Female representation on boards and CEO performance‐induced turnover: Evidence from Russia. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 28(3), 235–260. https://doi.org/10.1111/corg.12316

Lückerath-Rovers, M. (2013). Women on boards and firm performance. Journal of Management & Governance, 17, 491–509. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-011-9186-1

Man, M., & Ciurea, M. (2016). Transparency of accounting information in achieving good corporate governance. True view and fair value. Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 3(1), 41–62.

Manoiu, S. M., Damian, M. I., & Strouhal, J. (2015). Corporate governance quality on specific case of Romanian listed companies. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 3(2), 40–58. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijek-2015-0015

Menexiadis, M. E. (2021). Corporate governance: Introduction, roles, codes of corporate governance. In S. Papadakis, A. Garefalakis, C. Lemonakis, C. Chimonaki, & C. Zopounidis (Eds.), Machine learning applications for accounting disclosure and fraud detection (pp. 32–48). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4805-9.ch003

Mititean, P. (2021). The compliance evolution of the corporate governance codes in emerging European countries – a content analysis perspective. Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, 20(3), 516–536. https://doi.org/10.24818/jamis.2021.03007

Moreno, J. de J., & Castillo, L. L. (2011). Corporate growth, age and ownership structure: Empirical evidence in Spanish firms. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 12(1), 164–196. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2011.555449

Munteanu, A., & Brezeanu, P. (2012). Do Romanian banking institutions create shareholder value? Procedia Economics and Finance, 3, 144–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(12)00133-5

Navarro, A. I., & Gallo, A. (2014). The female CEO in developing countries’ firms. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2405558

Nguyen, T., Bai, M., Hou, Y., & Vu, M.-W. (2021). Corporate governance and dynamics capital structure: evidence from Vietnam. Global Finance Journal, 48, 100554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2020.100554

Nielsen, S., & Huse, M. (2010) The contribution of women on boards of directors: Going beyond the surface. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 18(2), 136–148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2010.00784.x

Öberg, C. (2021). Women on board: the disregarded issue of board interlocks. Gender in Management, 36(1), 39–60. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-11-2019-0225

Ozdemir, O. (2020). Board diversity and firm performance in the U.S. tourism sector: The effect of institutional ownership. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 91, 102693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102693

Paniagua, J., Rivelles, R., & Sapena, J. (2018). Corporate governance and financial performance: The role of ownership and board structure. Journal of Business Research, 89, 229–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.01.060

Pérez Troya, A. (2021). Corporate governance and gender diversity in Europe: A strategic win-win opportunity in the fourth industrial revolution. In K. Miller & K. Wendt (Eds.), The fourth industrial revolution and its impact on ethics (pp. 33–55). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57020-0_3

Perryman, A. A., Fernando, G. D., & Tripathy, A. (2016). Do gender differences persist? An examination of gender diversity on firm performance, risk, and executive compensation. Journal of Business Research, 69(2), 579–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.05.013

Phung, D. N., & Mishra, A. V. (2016). Corporation diversification and firm performance: Evidence from Vietnamese listed firms. Australian Economic Papers, 55(4), 386–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8454.12083

Pinto, I., Gaio, C., & Gonçalves, T. (2020). Corporate governance, foreign direct investment, and bank income smoothing in African countries. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 15(4), 670–690. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-04-2019-0297

Rejchrt, P., & Higgs, M. (2015). When in Rome: How non–domestic companies listed in the UK may not comply with accepted norms and principles of good corporate governance. Does home market culture explain these corporate behaviours and attitudes to compliance? Journal of Business Ethics, 129(1), 131–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2151-6

Siminică, M., Ionașcu, C., & Sichigea, M. (2019). Corporate social performance versus financial performance of the Romanian firms. Prague Economic Papers, 28(1), 49–69. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.pep.687

Smith, N., & Parrotta, P. (2018). Why so few women on boards of directors? Empirical evidence from Danish companies in 1998–2010. Journal of Business Ethics, 147(2), 445–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2974-9

Spătăcean, I.-O. (2015). Compliance assessment regarding corporate governance requirements applied for Romanian investment firms. Procedia Economics and Finance, 32, 471–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(15)01420-3

Spătăcean, I.-O., & Ghiorghiță, L. (2012). Testing compliance with corporate governance principles on the Romanian capital market. Studia Universitatis Petru Maior Series Oeconomica, 1, 70–87.

Tăchiciu, L., Fülöp, M. T., Marin-Pantelescu, A., Oncioiu, I., & Topor, D. I. (2020). Non-financial reporting and reputational risk in the Romanian financial sector. Amfiteatru Economic, 22(55), 668–691. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2020/55/668

Terjesen, S., Couto, E. B., & Francisco, P. M. (2016). Does the presence of independent and female directors impact firm performance? A multi-country study of board diversity. Journal of Management & Governance, 20(3), 447–483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-014-9307-8

Tofan, M., & Cigu, M. (2020). A view on corporate governance in Romania: Regulation and effects. In M. Aluchna, S. Idowu, & I. Tkachenko (Eds.), Corporate governance in Central Europe and Russia (pp. 177–197). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39504-9_11

Vähämaa, E. (2017). Female executives and corporate governance. Managerial Finance, 43(10), 1056–1072. https://doi.org/10.1108/MF-04-2016-0098

Van Vo, L., Nguyen, H., & Le, H. T. T. (2020). Do female CEOs make a difference in firm operations? Evidence from Vietnam. Accounting & Finance. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3450907

Vasile, V., Bunduchi, E., Daniel, Ş., & Comes, C.-A. (2019). Impact of remittances on the country of origin. Multidimensional analysis at macro and microeconomic level. Case study Romania and Moldova. Romanian Statistical Review, 4, 3–22.

Vasile, V., Ștefan, D., Comes, C.-A., Bunduchi, E., & Ștefan, A.-B. (2020). FDI or remittances for sustainable external financial inflows. Theoretical delimitations and practical evidence using granger causality. Romanian Journal of Economic Forecasting, XXIII(4), 131–153.

Veress, E. (2017). The state’s role as owner of enterprises: Mandatory rules of corporate governance in Romania. PRO PUBLICO BONO – Public Administration (Special ed. 1), 62–78. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2952707

Waweru, N. M., & Prot, N. P. (2018). Corporate governance compliance and accrual earnings management in eastern Africa: Evidence from Kenya and Tanzania. Managerial Auditing Journal, 33(2), 171–191. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAJ-09-2016-1438

Witt, M. A., Fainshmidt, S., & Aguilera, R. V. (2021). Our board, our rules: Nonconformity to global corporate governance norms. Administrative Science Quarterly, 67(1), 131–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/00018392211022726