The Impact of Family-Firm Structure and Board Composition on Corporate Transparency: Evidence Based on Segment Disclosures in Malaysia

The International Journal of Accounting, Vol. 44, pp. 313-333, 2009

Posted: 9 Nov 2009

See all articles by Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin

Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin

Universiti Utara Malaysia - College of Business

Date Written: November 8, 2009

Abstract

The aim of this study is to contribute to the growing literature on the quality of accounting disclosures by family firms by investigating whether the alignment (entrenchment) effect leads to high (low) corporate transparency. Unlike previous studies, this study also examines the relationship between board composition and corporate transparency by distinguishing between the two types of non-executive directors namely independent and affiliated directors. Using the enhanced segment disclosures by Malaysian firms in 2001/2002 as a proxy of corporate transparency, the result indicates that family firms are more inclined to disclose all the required items for the primary basis of segment reporting, consistent with Ali, Chen and Radhakrishnan (2007) and Wang (2006). The result also indicates that firms with higher proportion of affiliated directors are more likely to make greater segment disclosure. However, no evidence is found to support the contention that independent directors and institutional investors promote corporate transparency, consistent with previous Malaysian studies

Keywords: family firm, affiliated director, independent director, segment, early adopt, Malaysia

JEL Classification: G32, M41

Suggested Citation

Wan-Hussin, Wan Nordin, The Impact of Family-Firm Structure and Board Composition on Corporate Transparency: Evidence Based on Segment Disclosures in Malaysia (November 8, 2009). The International Journal of Accounting, Vol. 44, pp. 313-333, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1502102

Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin (Contact Author)

Universiti Utara Malaysia - College of Business ( email )

Sintok, Kedah Darul Aman 06010
Malaysia
+604-7003939 (Phone)
+604-7005762 (Fax)

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