Comparative Study of the Impact of Compliance with Corporate Governance Regulations & Internal Governance Mechanisms on Financial Performance of Listed Firms in Africa

This thesis examines and compares the impact of internally generated alternative corporate governance structures and compliance with country-level corporate governance regulations on financial performance of listed firms in South Africa and Nigeria. Firm-level data for the study was collected manually and triangulated with Datastream dataset for 100 listed firms for the period 2010–2014 (500 firm-years) in South Africa and 80 listed firms for the period 2011–2015 (400 firm-years) in Nigeria. Adopting a multi-theoretical approach and more importantly New Institutional Economics (NIE) theory, this study shows that cultural, contextual and institutional similarities and differences in corporate governance mechanisms across different countries impact differently on firm-level behaviour, which affects firm financial performance differently. Empirically, the thesis shows there is a statistically significant positive effect of compliance with Nigerian and South African corporate governance code (compliance index model) on firm accounting performance (ROCE). This implies that firms that comply with corporate governance regulations in both countries benefit from increasing accounting returns more than firms that do not. However, results based on market performance (Q-ratio) show that compliant firms with King III corporate governance guidelines in South Africa are associated with decreasing market valuation (Q-ratio), whereas firms compliant with Nigeria SEC 2011 corporate governance regulations are associated with increasing market valuation (Q-ratio). The alternative internal corporate governance mechanisms (variables in the equilibrium variable models) show similar and consistent mixed results compared to those reported by previous studies. Specifically, in South Africa, excluding board size which showed consistent negative statistically significant coefficients across both performance measures, the rest of the internal mechanisms are either statistically significant with one performance measure but insignificant with the other performance measure or significant with both measures but with contradictory signs of coefficients. Similarly, in Nigeria, out of the 14 firm-level internal corporate governance structures, six showed insignificant results irrespective of the performance measure, whereas six showed significant results with one performance measure and insignificant results with the other. Only gender diversity and ethnic diversity showed consistent statistically significant coefficients across both firm financial performance proxies. The study contributes to corporate governance literature in many ways. First it shows the level of maturity in governance institutions, in addition to normative rules and informal norms across countries, has a significant bearing on firm-level governance practices. More so, historical and contextual path dependence has produced a diversity of firm-level and country-level specific internal CG structures that may work well within an institutional environment in which they have evolved but may not work in others. The resulting consequence is that in countries with developed or more mature governance institutions (e.g. South Africa), stock markets undervalue firms with high compliance with normative governance rules, whereas in countries with emerging/growing governance institutions (e.g. Nigeria), stock markets highly value firms’ compliance with normative governance guidelines. Furthermore, the impact of compliance with normative CG guidelines on firm accounting performance in countries with mature governance institutions (South Africa) is similar to that with emerging governance institutions (Nigeria). More so, despite institutional voids, firms in African markets are committed in improving governance institutions by adopting recommended good CG practices implemented by regulatory authorities. Hence emerging African economies are adopting institutional isomorphic practices in governance compliance. Specifically, firms in these markets are transmitting good governance institutions to emerging economies by improving on their CG practices

Corporate Governance in Africa: The Role and Performance of Board of Directors. Myth and Reality. The Cameroon Evidence

Grounded on a multi-theoretic approach, the purpose of this study was to investigate and examine the role and performance of board of directors in corporate governance in Cameroon. The study was motivated by the absence of rigorous corporate governance studies aimed at understanding the role of boards in an African context. The study adopted an exploratory research design in which data was collected through questionnaire survey and analysed quantitative. A qualitative follow up on the quantitative findings to provide a robust explanation was conducted. The findings suggest that, boards in Cameroon perform multiple roles as identified-by the various theories of corporate governance. However, board resource or networking was highlighted to be the most important role boards in Cameroon are committed to perform. This was followed by strategic control, behavioural control, strategic participation, output control, and stakeholder task respectively. Results pointed to the fact that, board roles depending on how it is executed does affect performance of firms. Boards that perform various roles have a positive effect on firm performance while boards that are majority shareholder oriented have a negative effect on the firm’s performance. It also emerged that corporate governance is perceived differently within various industries in Cameroon. Findings also suggest CG practices in Cameroon are very much nascent. The study recommends that corporate governance in Cameroon should be made very visible by implementing separate corporate governance impetus geared at ensuring accountability and transparency in the way firms operate. It also recommends the protection of minority shareholders in firms where there exists concentrated ownership. Finally the study recommends owners of firms to hire directors who understand risk so that; while they control management, they can effectively and efficiently contribute towards firm’s strategy and direction to enhance firm performance

Value relevance of multinational directorship and cross-listing on MNEs national governance disclosure practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Nigeria

We draw on institutional isomorphism literature to develop a conceptual framework which uncovers how emerging market MNEs manage institutional tensions and complexity in corporate governance (CG) regulations within and across economic environments. Using a sample of 400 firm-year observations (2011–2015) from Nigeria, we show foreign directorship and cross-listing as significant avenues for governance isomorphism. MNEs employ these mechanisms to manage and reconcile foreign and Nigerian CG regulations whilst overcoming institutional weaknesses at home. Specifically, governance isomorphism leads to improvement of home country CG disclosures practices because of associated linkages with international CG systems through cross-listing and employment of multinational directors

Does innovation and financial constraints affect the propensity to save in emerging markets?

Despite the surge in corporate savings and heightened interest in understanding the reasons for this behaviour, little is known about the forces behind this stylised phenomenon in emerging markets (EMs). Using a large sample of firms from nine African countries over the period 2001–2015, we posit and find that the propensity to save is higher in this context due to limited access to external finance. However, when we examine the effects of innovation on corporate savings, we find that the results are reversed as, relative to Non-R&D firms, R&D firms save less of their operating cash flow. This is in stark contrast to the extant literature in advanced economies, which shows that savings are essential to smoothen lumpy, irreversible and risky investments in innovation. We find this is due to the reversal in firm-specific factors, with R&D firms in this context being larger and more mature; hence, relying less on internal financing sources compared to young and less-mature R&D firms in advanced economies. We interpret our results as suggestive of the overarching influence of access to external finance as a major determinant of the propensity to save and deterrent to investing in innovation. Our finding helps explain the glut in innovation amongst small and young firms in emerging markets and calls for policies that promote innovation

Anglo-American governance adoption in non-Anglo-American settings: assessing practitioner perception across emerging economies. The case of Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan.

Purpose – Albeit the growing academic research on emerging economies corporate governance (CG) environments within accounting and finance literature, there exists a dearth of cross-country studies using a qualitative approach to understand practitioners’ behaviour vis-a-vis diffusion of international CG practices in emerging economies. This study aims to fill this oversight through a comparative analysis of the divergence and convergence of CG systems operational in three emerging economies (Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan) while highlighting different institutional and contextual impacts on behaviour of governance actors. The paper uses an interface between critical realism and new institutional economics theory to explore the implementation and execution of CG in Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The study analysed 24 in-depth semi-structured interviews and conducted with key governance practitioners across the three countries. Findings – The findings show that CG implementation processes in Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan are nascent and driven by international forces rather than local initiatives. CG lacks institutional identity across the three countries as regulatory coercion acts as a key driver for CG adoption and practitioner accounts are mixed regarding the impact of CG on firm performance. Practical implications – The paper evidences that the lack of governance identify, compliance and slow implementation process of governance regulations and its impact on firm performance in emerging economies is caused by the fact that local institutional characteristics prevalent in these economies may not be suitable for a “copy and paste” of Western form of governance regulations. Furthermore, governance actors do not see the relevance of recommended CG practices except as a regulatory burden. Originality/value – The paper contributes to close the lacuna in the seemingly little qualitative comparative study that has examined practitioner’s perception vis-à-vis the diffusion of international governance practices in emerging economies. Specifically, it uncovers how different institutional and contextual factors impact on the behaviour of governance actors and how their behaviours may constrain adoption, implementation and compliance with recommended governance practices

Chairperson and CEO foreignness and CG quality of emerging markets MNCs: Moderating role of international board interlocks

We examine whether foreign chief executive officers (FCEOs) and foreign independent board chairpersons (FIBCs) improve on the corporate governance (CG) practices of emerging market multinational corporations (EMMNCs) through governance spill over. We use hand‐collected data for 80 listed Nigerian multinational corporations for the period 2011–2016 (480 firm‐years) and apply a three‐stage least squares regression to address endogeneity issues. Our findings show international exposure of EMMNCs motivate appointment of FIBCs and FCEOs who positively affect their CG quality. In addition, international board interlocks positively moderate the likelihood of FCEOs to export and enhance EMMNCs' CG quality, but negatively moderate FIBCs impact on CG practices of EMMNCs. Finally, we develop a framework to show how EMMNCs' CG practices are exemplary to local firms in the home country who may mimic these governance practices. We contend the repeated game of governance spill‐over and mimetic isomorphism drives the evolution of CG institutions and, potentially, will generate institutional change in CG practices in emerging markets

Is the cash flow sensitivity of cash asymmetric? African evidence

We examine whether the cash flow sensitivity of cash is asymmetric using a sample of 745 firms from understudied African countries over the period from 2000–2015. We hypothesise and find significant asymmetry in the cash flow sensitivity of cash conditional on cash flow and financial constraints. Firms with positive cash flow save while those with negative cash flow dissave. These differences are more apparent in the presence of financial constraints. Our results affirm the asymmetry in the cash flow sensitivity of cash and highlight the severity of the impact of financial constraints on corporate decisions in emerging markets

Anglo-American governance adoption in non-Anglo-American settings: Assessing practitioner perceptions of corporate governance across three emerging economies

© 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Albeit the growing academic research on emerging economies corporate governance (CG) environments within accounting and finance literature, there exists a dearth of cross-country studies using a qualitative approach to understand practitioners’ behaviour vis-a-vis diffusion of international CG practices in emerging economies. This study aims to fill this oversight through a comparative analysis of the divergence and convergence of CG systems operational in three emerging economies (Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan) while highlighting different institutional and contextual impacts on behaviour of governance actors. The paper uses an interface between critical realism and new institutional economics theory to explore the implementation and execution of CG in Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The study analysed 24 in-depth semi-structured interviews and conducted with key governance practitioners across the three countries. Findings: The findings show that CG implementation processes in Cameroon, Kenya and Pakistan are nascent and driven by international forces rather than local initiatives. CG lacks institutional identity across the three countries as regulatory coercion acts as a key driver for CG adoption and practitioner accounts are mixed regarding the impact of CG on firm performance. Practical implications: The paper evidences that the lack of governance identify, compliance and slow implementation process of governance regulations and its impact on firm performance in emerging economies is caused by the fact that local institutional characteristics prevalent in these economies may not be suitable for a “copy and paste” of Western form of governance regulations. Furthermore, governance actors do not see the relevance of recommended CG practices except as a regulatory burden. Originality/value: The paper contributes to close the lacuna in the seemingly little qualitative comparative study that has examined practitioner’s perception vis-à-vis the diffusion of international governance practices in emerging economies. Specifically, it uncovers how different institutional and contextual factors impact on the behaviour of governance actors and how their behaviours may constrain adoption, implementation and compliance with recommended governance practices

Rising Corporate Debt and Value Relevance of Supply-Side Factors in South Africa

Motivated by the recent discovery of a significant increase in corporate debt in developed countries, we use a large sample of 775 listed companies to examine the dynamics and determinants of South African corporate debt. We find an 89% increase in the leverage of the average rm, from 11% in 1990 to 21% in 2015. Long-term and short-term debt increased by 103% and 67%, respectively. We find that this increase is pervasive, and cannot be explained entirely by either rm attributes or macroeconomic factors, despite the importance of the latter. Instead, we find supply-side factors to be the main determinants of the upward trend in corporate debt, highlighting their importance to corporate debt policies in emerging economies

Environmental innovation and takeover performance

Drawing from the resource-based view (RBV), we examine the effect of environmental innovation on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) announcement returns. Using an international sample of M&As for the period of 2003–2021 and an event study methodology, we document that acquirers with higher environmental innovation—innovative acquirers—earn average deal announcement abnormal returns that are 0.10–0.50 percentage points higher than those earned by their non-innovative counterparts. These results are consistent across three important forms of environmental innovation (i.e., product, process, and organizational innovation) and are partly explained by the transfer of environmental innovation from the acquirer to the target. We further find that environmentally innovative acquirers are more likely to engage in majority control and cross-border acquisitions, thus emphasizing the transfer effect. Overall, we contribute to RBV by providing evidence that environmental innovation is a distinctive resource or dynamic capability that is transferable from bidders to targets in the takeover market