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Patterns of Compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code

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  • Till Talaulicar
  • Axel V. Werder

Abstract

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This study investigates whether the form of compliance with the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC) appears to be idiosyncratic to a specific company or features similarities across firms. The major aim of this research is thus to explore the ability of a classification of compliance patterns to account for the similarities and differences between firms regarding their conformity with the GCGC. Research Findings/Insights: Based on seven dimensions of code compliance, cluster analysis is used to identify discrete groups of companies with similar patterns of code observance. We determine eight patterns of compliance which are characterized by distinct forms of code conformity. Theoretical Academic Implications: The identified cluster solution does not merely reflect the number of rejected code recommendations. Rather, companies with very similar rates of overall compliance with the GCGC are assigned to different clusters because they feature, at the same time, different patterns of code conformity. These findings imply that governance prediction and governance performance studies have to overcome overly aggregated measures of code compliance which only incorporate the number of rejected code recommendations. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study provides evidence to practitioners and policy makers that firms can be classified regarding their compliance with the code recommendations. In‐depth analyses of the identified patterns of compliance furthermore reveal that some patterns may indicate less well substantiated deviations from the code and partly even decouplings of the declared compliance practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Till Talaulicar & Axel V. Werder, 2008. "Patterns of Compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(4), pages 255-273, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:corgov:v:16:y:2008:i:4:p:255-273
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8683.2008.00696.x
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    2. Tariq, Yasir Bin & Abbas, Zaheer, 2013. "Compliance and multidimensional firm performance: Evaluating the efficacy of rule-based code of corporate governance," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 565-575.
    3. Pietro Previtali & Paola Cerchiello, 2019. "Patterns of compliance with soft regulation in Italian listed companies," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 16(1), pages 37-46, March.
    4. Talaulicar Till, 2011. "Normierungseffekte der Co-Regulierung von Standards guter Corporate Governance / Normative effects of co-regulatory regimes of corporate governance," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 62(1), pages 269-296, January.
    5. Reggy Hooghiemstra & Hans van Ees, 2011. "Uniformity as response to soft law: Evidence from compliance and non‐compliance with the Dutch corporate governance code," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(4), pages 480-498, December.
    6. Romilda Mazzotta & Giovanni Bronzetti & Graziella Sicoli & Paolo Tenuta, 2018. "La valutazione del CdA in contesti ad elevata concentrazione proprietaria: mero conformismo o reale strumento di valutazione?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(2), pages 107-128.
    7. Shakri, Irfan Haider & Yong, Jaime & Xiang, Erwei, 2022. "Does compliance with corporate governance increase profitability? Evidence from an emerging economy: Pakistan," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    8. Jacqueline Christensen & Pamela Kent & James Routledge & Jenny Stewart & Gary Monroe, 2015. "Do corporate governance recommendations improve the performance and accountability of small listed companies?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 55(1), pages 133-164, March.

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