Does board diversity affect the cost of debt financing? Empirical evidence from Turkey

[ArticleInPress]Purpose – This study aims to investigate the effects of board characteristics on the cost of debt for nonfinancial companies in the Turkish capital markets. Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of 211 non-financial companies listed on Borsa Istanbul, this study examines how chairperson gender and board characteristics affect the cost of debt by using panel data analysis over the period of 2016–2020. A system generalized method of moments model is also applied to test the endogeneity issue. Findings – The findings show that the presence of female chairperson and female directors on board reduces the cost of debt and the perceptions of default risk by fund providers, while board independence and board size do not have a significant impact on the cost of debt. The results provide insightful information for companies and policymakers. Companies can alter board composition through gender diversity, while policymakers can introduce new policies in encouraging the presence of female directors on boards. Originality/value – This study primarily enriches the literature on the effect of board diversity on debt financing cost in a leading emerging market, enabling companies in emerging markets to better mitigate agency costs and finance their investment through effective board composition. Second, it provides evidence that financial institutions consider companies with chairwomen and women directors on the boards less risky and charge them less for debt financing than they do for companies with man chairperson. Finally, the results support policymakers to take actions to increase female presence on board

Does board demographic diversity affect the dividend payout policy in Turkey?

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of board demographic diversity on the dividend payout policy in Turkish capital markets. Design/methodology/approach –Using a sample of 67 non-financial companies listed on Borsa Istanbul 100 index from 2013 to 2018, this study examines the influence of board demographic diversity on dividend payout policies in Turkish capital markets. The authors also create a Demographic Board Diversity Index (DBDI) to estimate the composite cognitive diversity. The authors use dividend payment probability, dividend payout ratio, and dividend yield to measure the dividend policy and employ panel logit and tobit regression models. Findings – The results indicate that diversity in nationality, experience and educational background play an influential role in encouraging companies to pay high dividends, while gender, tenure and age diversity are insignificant in affecting dividend payments. The findings also suggest that the DBDI positively affects the companies in formulating the dividend payout policies. Finally, the findings show that the family-owned companies with diverse board members have a negative influence on dividend payment intensity. Originality/value – The results offer valuable insights for companies and policymakers in emerging markets to develop a more refined governance structure accommodating board demographic diversity attributes to mitigate agency conflicts between controlling and minority shareholders through setting up effective dividend payout policies

Moderating role of corporate governance and ownership structure on the relationship of corporate sustainability performance and dividend policy

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of corporate governance and ownership structure on the relationship of corporate sustainability performance and dividend policy by using a panel dataset of 79 non-financial companies listed on Borsa Istanbul 100 Index for the years 2014–2020. We employed the panel logit, probit and tobit regression models for the analysis. The results indicate that corporate governance and family ownership significantly and positively moderate the relationship between corporate sustainability performance and dividend policy, while concentrated ownership and institutional ownership do not play a significant moderating role on this relationship. The findings also show that firm-level corporate governance is associated with high dividend payments, suggesting that this institutional mechanism helps reduce agency problems and lead companies to allocate capital more efficiently. The findings provide valuable insights for companies in structuring sustainability activities and shaping dividend policies with regard to ownership structure. It also offers policy prescriptions in emerging markets in the area of corporate financing policies.WOS:0008275659000012-s2.0-8513426414

Does the stock market value inclusion in a sustainability index? Evidence from Borsa Istanbul

This study examines the relationships between corporate sustainability (CS) performance of the companies (proxied by inclusion in sustainability index) listed in Borsa Istanbul (BIST, Istanbul, Turkey) and market-specific company performance measures over the period of 2014–2017. The results show that there is no strong evidence of the effect of inclusion in or exclusion from the BIST Sustainability Index (BIST SI) on stock returns and systematic risk (betas) of companies. However, the results reveal that inclusion in the BIST SI reduces the total risk of the companies and protects them from stock declines in case of a severe crisis by improving their resilience compared to other companies not included in the BIST SI. Although no significant link is found concerning the impact of the companies’ inclusion on the level of foreign ownership, a positive association is noted between BIST SI inclusion and the level of institutional ownership.Q1WOS:0005168246000412-s2.0-8507961327

Board diversity and export intensity: The moderating role of firm size

Purpose – Building on resource dependence theory and contingency theory (CT) and focusing on an emerging market setting, this study investigates how demographic board diversity (BD) influences the export intensity (EI) of firms listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST), with the moderating effect of firm size, as a contingency factor, on this interaction. Design/methodology/approach –Using a sample of 65 exporting firms listed on the BIST Industrials Index, this study explores how demographic attributes of board members, represented by the board diversity index (BDI), affects EI by employing panel data analysis over the period of 2016–2020. Findings – The results suggest that there is a negative relationship between BD and EI, but firm size has a positive moderating effect on the association of BD and EI, indicating that large firms with diverse boards are more prone to access foreign markets and make export. The findings further indicate that board size and CEO duality have a negative and significant effect on EI, while marketing intensity has a positive and significant impact. Research limitations/implications –The sample covers only public companies listed on the BIST Industrials Index, and the impact of board characteristics on the EI is analyzed for a limited time frame, i.e. from 2016 to 2020. Practical implications – The findings help business executives better understand the contribution of the firm size on the interaction of BD and EI and offers valuable insights to companies to gain a competitive edge in international markets. Originality/value – The study provides evidence on the effects of board attributes on the EI from the perspective of emerging countries. It also helps to gain a deeper understanding of how board Dynamics contribute to the internationalization of companies

The impact of ownership structure, board attributes and XBRL mandate on timeliness of financial reporting: Evidence from Turkey

[ArticleInPress]Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ownership structure, board attributes and eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) on annual financial reporting timeliness of non-financial companies listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST). Design/methodology/approach –To conduct the analyses, the authors used two samples. The main sample consists of 187 companies, while the subsample includes 54 companies in the BIST 100 index. The data set covers the 2010–2018 period. To investigate the influence of ownership structure, board attributes and XBRL on timeliness, panel regression and univariate analyses were used. To explore the factors associated with the likelihood of late filing, panel logistic regression analyses were employed. Findings –The findings provide evidence that companies that have a high level of institutional ownership and women board membership file earlier. In line with prior studies, profitable companies file their accounts faster. Highly leveraged companies are late reporters. Further, XBRL has a positive influence on the filing of financial reports for the BIST 100 companies due to technological agility. Finally, companies that have less institutional ownership and that get qualified audit opinions are more subject to late filing. Research limitations/implications – The authors acknowledge that this study has certain limitations. First, the results may not be generalized to the entire BIST population due to the exclusion of financial companies from the samples. Future research may explore the financial reporting timeliness of these companies. Second, the study did not investigate the relationship between timeliness and the information content in financial statements and the market reactions they arouse. Third, this study is trying to find out early evidence on the mandatory adoption of XBRL filings, which cover only three-year period due to the recent implementation of this regulatory practice. Thus, it needs further elaboration after the accumulation of data in the forthcoming years by the expansion of the sample beyond the 2016–2018 period. As companies would have more time to become familiar with XBRL, a more reliable conclusion may be drawn. Further, the study particularly focuses on the effect of XBRL adoption on the timeliness among filers. XBRL could also influence investors, auditors and other stakeholders. Future research could investigate the influence of XBRL on different stakeholders to produce more insightful implications. Practical implications – This study offers several implications for managers, regulators and policy makers. First, companies that do not make timely financial reporting may find it more difficult to attract long-term capital by means of institutional investors. Since these investors view timely reporting as an ideal ingredient in corporate governance, it may have a positive impact on company reputation and corporate sustainability. The results also provide insights for regulatory authorities, policy makers and auditors on the causes of the reporting lag, thereby increasing their awareness and helping them in their decision-making process since improvements in timely availability and accessibility of financial information reduce information asymmetry for users and increase market efficiency. Additionally, companies that reduce their filing timeframe will be able to compare their results with other companies. However, the XBRL mandate could be much more burdensome to smaller firms. This may stem from the fact that larger firms may tend to use the in-house approach for XBRL and can afford more advanced financial reporting systems with automated coding algorithms attached to streamline their XBRL filings, whereas smaller firms are more likely to use the outsourcing approach due to the difference in the level of resources available for XBRL preparation. This finding also lends support to recent concerns that new technology creates an unleveled benefit in reporting efficiency for large companies, but not for small ones (e.g. Blankespooret al., 2014). This benefit may change the dynamics of the financial market and information environment, leading to further segmentation of the capital markets. The positive effects of XBRL adoption may accrue over time due to the potential benefits of learning curve experience since the XBRL mandate will help companies automate their reporting process and information processing, thereby strengthening internal control over financial reporting (Deloitte, 2013; Du et al., 2013; Li, 2017). Companies may also efficiently incorporate auditor-proposed adjustments by cross-referencing impacted accounts and prepare revised versions of the financial reports, which are automatically rendered in various formats for auditors to assess (Wu and Vasarhelyi, 2004). Finally, investors and other users of financial information benefit from having quicker access to data, since this allows them to make more timely and reliable decisions, leading to greater benefits. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature on the impact of adopting XBRL on the timeliness of financial reporting in emerging markets. Second, this study extends the literature and provides evidence on determinants of timeliness, covering both ownership structure and board attributes besides firm-specific characteristics. Hence, it provides valuable insights for companies, investors, auditing firms and policy makers.Q3WOS:0006449364000012-s2.0-8510623833

Antecedents of corporate sustainability performance in Turkey: The effects of ownership structure and board attributes on non-financial companies

The discourse of corporate sustainability performance (CSP) has created an increasing motivation for companies to improve their competitive advantage. This study examines the drivers leading to a high level of CSP within non-financial Turkish companies listed in the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index. Drawing on both stakeholder and agency theories, we formulate a set of hypotheses that link CSP with ownership structure, board diversity, and firm-specific characteristics. Based on logit and probit models, the empirical results tend to confirm the positive influence of foreign and institutional ownerships in shaping CSP and indicate that CSP is positively linked with board size and the proportion of independent board members. Further, the findings show that companies with a leading level of CSP have a lower return than companies with mediocre CSP based on a market-based measure, Tobin’s Q.Q1WOS:0005795008002252-s2.0-8509157100

Social media adoption and export intensity: The moderating role of firm size

Purpose: Social media (SM) networks offer a golden opportunity for firms that particularly engage in international activities to set up sustainable customer relationships and improve competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of SM adoption on the export intensity (EI) of firms listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST) for the years 2010–2020. The authors use social media index (SMI) to measure SM adoption and firm size (FSize) as a moderator on exploring the interaction of SM and EI. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of 150 firms listed on the BIST Industrials Index, this study explores how the adoption of SM affects EI by using panel data analysis over the period of 2010–2020. Findings: The results indicate that the SMI has a positive and significant effect on the EI. FSize positively moderates the interaction of SMI and EI, indicating that large firms benefit more from the SM in increasing export performance. The findings reflect high potential of EI improvement through adopting right SM policies in emerging markets. Research limitations/implications: The sample covers only public companies listed on the BIST Industrials Index. Future studies may extend the coverage and include multiple emerging markets to draw generalized results for the export-oriented firms. This research also analyzes solely four SM networks, i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. However, there are many other SM networks that firms use in online marketing in foreign markets. Finally, this research did not discuss the potential factors that could influence the use of SM in emerging market firms. Practical implications: This study denotes the significant role of SM adoption on the EI of firms in an emerging market setting from the perspective of resource-based view. It presents an insightful approach in understanding the mission played by SM networks in enhancing the EI of Turkish firms. Policymakers may use the findings to develop public support programs to promote the adoption and implementation of the SM among exporting firms in emerging markets. Originality/value: The study provides evidence on the effects of SM adoption on the EI from the perspective of emerging countries. It also helps to gain a deeper understanding of how different SM platforms contribute to the internationalization of firms

Measuring the impact of board gender and cultural diversity on corporate governance and social performance: Evidence from emerging markets

This study examines the effects of gender and cultural diversity of boards on the corporate governance and social performance of 373 companies listed in 24 emerging country markets over the period of 2010–2019 using panel data analysis. A two-step system GMM model is also applied to test the endogeneity problem. The results indicate that gender and cultural diversity positively affect corporate governance performance. While we note that social performance is positively associated with both gender and cultural diversity, this relationship is insignificant. The findings offer multidimensional insights for companies, policy makers, and stakeholders to promote the association between gender and cultural diversity initiatives and corporate sustainability dimensions in emerging markets

Untangling the influence of corporate sustainability on export intensity : the moderating role of R&D intensity

Growing global environmental and social issues have imposed increased pressure on firms to address sustainability challenges in international markets, with a particular focus on improving their export performance. This is of significant importance for emerging market firms aiming to expand their presence in international markets, as they are compelled to bolster their environmental and social sustainability capacity to enhance their export intensity. This study delves into the relationship between corporate sustainability and export intensity through a longitudinal examination of 141 firms listed on Borsa Istanbul from 2014 to 2021. The results suggest that corporate sustainability positively influences export intensity, and this influence is further positively moderated by R&D intensity. Additionally, post-hoc analysis employing supplementary data pertaining to the environmental, social, and governance dimensions of corporate sustainability reveals that environmental performance plays a positive role in shaping export intensity, with R&D intensity positively moderating this relationship. In summary, our findings underscore that exporting firms that effectively integrate impactful R&D intensity into their international business operations are likely to harness their sustainability strategies, particularly those related to the natural environment, to achieve higher export intensity.© American Marketing Association 2023. The article is protected by copyright and reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses. Users may also download and save a local copy of an article accessed in an institutional repository for the user's personal reference.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed