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Effects of Selected Corporate Governance Characteristics on Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Vincent O. Ongore

    (Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya)

  • Peter O. K'Obonyo

    (University of Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract

This paper examines the interrelations among ownership, board and manager characteristics and firm performance in a sample of 54 firms listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). These governance characteristics, designed to minimize agency problems between principals and agents are operationalized in terms of ownership concentration, ownership identity, board effectiveness and managerial discretion. The typical ownership identities at the NSE are government, foreign, institutional, manager and diverse ownership forms. Firm performance is measured using Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) and Dividend Yield (DY). Using PPMC, Logistic Regression and Stepwise Regression, the paper presents evidence of significant positive relationship between foreign, insider, institutional and diverse ownership forms, and firm performance. However, the relationship between ownership concentration and government, and firm performance was significantly negative. The role of boards was found to be of very little value, mainly due to lack of adherence to board member selection criteria. The results also show significant positive relationship between managerial discretion and performance. Collectively, these results are consistent with pertinent literature with regard to the implications of government, foreign, manager (insider) and institutional ownership forms, but significantly differ concerning the effects of ownership concentration and diverse ownership on firm performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent O. Ongore & Peter O. K'Obonyo, 2011. "Effects of Selected Corporate Governance Characteristics on Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from Kenya," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 1(3), pages 99-122, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ1:2011-03-3
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bello Lawal, 2016. "Still on board configuration: SEC recommendations and the efficiency of adhering firms in Nigeria," Journal of Economic and Financial Studies (JEFS), LAR Center Press, vol. 4(2), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Nebert Mandala & E. Kaijage & J. Aduda & C. Iraya, 2018. "The Effect of Board Structure and CEO Tenure on Performance of Financial Institutions in Kenya," Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 7(1), pages 1-4.
    4. Eric M. Bosire & Vincent O. Ongore, 2015. "Effects of Board Composition on Financial Performance: Empirical Analysis of Companies Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 5(1), pages 23-43.
    5. Sammy Thuo Kangea & Tabitha Nasieku & Willy Muturi, 2022. "Effect of Board Diversity on Earnings quality of Non-Financial Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(3), pages 1-4.
    6. Enock Odhiambo Ong’ure & Mr. Dominic Ngaba, 2022. "Gender Diversity and Financial Performance of Sacco’s in Siaya County, Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(02), pages 267-272, February.
    7. Steven Buigut, 2015. "The Effect of Zimbabwe's Multi-Currency Arrangement on Bilateral Trade: Myth Versus Reality," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 5(3), pages 690-700.
    8. Mobegi Fred Morara & Dr. Meshack Misoi & Dr. Jackson Ong’eta Oyaro, 2021. "Analysis of the Relationship between Management Remuneration and Financial Performance of Selected Public Listed Companies in the Nairobi Securities Exchange," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(08), pages 825-831, August.
    9. Nebert Mandala & E. Kaijage & J. Aduda & C. Iraya, 2018. "An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship between Board Structure and Performance of Financial Institutions in Kenya," Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 7(1), pages 1-3.
    10. Evans Agala Mutende & M. Mwangi & J.M. Njihia & D.E. Ochieng, 2017. "The moderating role of firm characteristics on the relationship between free cash flows and financial performance of firms listed at the Nairobi securities exchange," Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 6(4), pages 1-3.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ownership Structure; Agency Theory; Ownership Concentration; Ownership Identity; Managerial Discretion; Firm Performance.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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