Determinants of the Quality of External Board Evaluation in the UK

Sobhan, A. and Adegbite, E. (2021) Determinants of the quality of external board evaluation in the UK. Corporate Governance, Forthcoming.

Posted: 10 May 2021

See all articles by Emmanuel Adegbite

Emmanuel Adegbite

University of Nottingham

Abdus Sobhan

Northumbria University

Date Written: May 9, 2021

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the influence of the following on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation: timing of adoption of external board evaluation, type of evaluators, and the independence of external facilitators.

Design/methodology/approach – The statements on board evaluation in annual reports of a sample of FTSE 350 companies were content analysed to measure the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. We then used descriptive analysis and inferential statistics to demonstrate the possible association between the timing of adoption as well as the type and independence of external facilitators, and the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation.

Findings – Results reveal some effects of the timing of adoption as well as the type and independence of external facilitators on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation.

Practical implications – Shareholders should be aware of the timing of adoption as well as consider the types and independence of external facilitators, given their influence on the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. Regulatory authorities should provide more specific guidance on what types of professional organisations can be engaged as external facilitators and on the implementation of externally facilitated board evaluation, in order to promote its quality.

Originality/value – Several studies have provided theoretical accounts on how board evaluation should be conducted to ensure its effectiveness. However, there is a dearth of empirical literature, which examines the quality of externally facilitated board evaluation. This study develops a quality measure for externally facilitated board evaluation and shows the effect of the timing of adoption, types and independence of external facilitators on its quality. Our study forges ahead an institutional theorising of external board evaluation.

Keywords: Board evaluation, institutional theory, external facilitators, content analysis, United Kingdom

Suggested Citation

Adegbite, Emmanuel and Sobhan, Abdus, Determinants of the Quality of External Board Evaluation in the UK (May 9, 2021). Sobhan, A. and Adegbite, E. (2021) Determinants of the quality of external board evaluation in the UK. Corporate Governance, Forthcoming., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3842528

Emmanuel Adegbite (Contact Author)

University of Nottingham ( email )

University Park
Nottingham, NG8 1BB
United Kingdom

Abdus Sobhan

Northumbria University ( email )

Newcastle Business School
City Campus East 1
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST
United Kingdom
01912274272 (Phone)

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