Strings attached: Socioemotional wealth mixed gambles in the cash management choices of family firms

Family owners differ from other types of owners due to the presence of socioemotional wealth (SEW) concerns. We take a closer look at this distinctive aspect by examining the impact of family control and influence dimension of SEW on the cash management choices of family firms, conceptualizing it as a mixed gamble choice. Our empirical analysis of 195 Italian firms listed on the Milan Stock Exchange between 2003 and 2015 shows that family firms derive more value and incur lower costs than nonfamily firms when they increase their cash holdings. We then delve deeper into family firms’ cash management choices by exploring how different levels of family control and influence as well as types of board governance arrangements moderate this relationship. The empirical results indicate that the positive effects of family ownership are more pronounced under a high level of family control and influence and with separation of the board chair and CEO positions

The role of corruption in shaping the value of holding cash

This paper analyses the relationship between cash holdings and performance, considering the moderating effect of corruption that exists in the institutional context in which firms operate. The results show the importance of corruption in shaping the sign and the intensity of the value of cash holdings. The sign of the effect of corporate liquidity on firm performance changes according to varying levels of corruption. Holding cash is shown to have a noteworthy and no marginal role in supporting business activities and points to an avenue of investigation for future research

Board characteristics effects on performance in family and non-family business: a multi-theoretical approach

This paper examines the role of the board of directors in influencing the value of Italian listed firms from 2003 to 2013. In particular, employing agency, stewardship and resource dependence theories, the study aims to compare board characteristics in family and non-family firms and define the theory that best applies to family firms. Empirical results show that the presence of CEO duality and busy directors has a positive effect on the value of family firms, while gender diversity has a negative impact on the value when a member of the family leads a family firm. Conversely, the size of the board positively affects the value of non-family firms. Our main findings suggest the prevalence, in family firms, of the benefits of the board structure argued by stewardship and resource dependence theories rather than the disadvantages expected from agency theory

The effect of cash holdings on firm performance in large Italian companies

This paper examines the relationship between cash holdings and performance in Italy over 36 years. Specifically, in light of the presence of conflicting evidence concerning the worth of cash stock, which could lead to a positive effect rather than a negative one, the role of moderating factors that can shape the magnitude of this relationship is investigated. The results show that the value of cash holdings is affected by firm-specific characteristics, as well as factors related to the institutional context. Although other studies have analyzed moderators one at a time, this is the first work to consider how they jointly work. When the moderators are considered together, some of them become no longer statistically significant while others become even more economically and statistically relevant

Female directors and corporate cash holdings: monitoring vs executive roles

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of gender diversity on corporate cash holdings by scrutinizing different positions covered by female board directors. Design/methodology/approach: The paper examines a sample of Italian listed companies between 2006 and 2015. Fixed-effects regressions are employed as the base empirical methodology. In addition, because the link between corporate governance variables and cash may suffer from endogeneity issues, the study employs several tests to control for this potential problem. Findings: The empirical findings demonstrate that the relationship between gender diversity and cash holdings depends on the role of female directors on the boards. Specifically, the evidence shows that women in monitoring functions, ruled by independent directors and female chairs, led to a decrease in cash reserves. Conversely, companies managed by female CEOs have larger cash holdings. Research limitations/implications: The paper refers to Italian listed companies only and does not analyze whether and how the financial crisis has affected the link between female directors and cash reserves. Practical implications: The study provides insights for the diverse effects of female directors on cash management decision and contributes to the debate on gender diversity capabilities for improving firm financial flexibility. Originality/value: This paper is the first empirical study to attempt to disentangle the effect of gender diversity on cash holdings. It sheds light on the consequences of appointing female directors on cash policies and explores the Italian context after the introduction of the gender quotas law

Le varietà di avena per le semine 2013-14.

Nell'areale Nord le produzioni più elevate sono state conseguite dalle varietà più tardive Aveny, Gniady e Teo BD40,insieme alle più precoci Genziana, Bionda e Alcudia. Nelle aree del Centro-sud oltre ad Aveny, Genziana e Gniady, si sono distinte anche Primula e Hamal. Nelle isole si sono differenziate Primula, Alcudia, Genziana, Stella D'oro e Hamel