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The Governance of Risk Management: The Importance of Directors’ Independence and Financial Knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Georges Dionne

    (HEC Montreal, Canada Research Chair in Risk Management)

  • Olfa Maalaoui Chun

    (HEC Montreal, Canada Research Chair in Risk Management)

  • Thouraya Triki

    (HEC Montreal, Canada Research Chair in Risk Management)

Abstract

This paper tests the effects of the independence and financial knowledge of directors on risk management and firm value in the gold mining industry. Our original hand-collected database on directors’ financial education, accounting background, and financial experience allows us to test the effect of each dimension of financial knowledge on risk management activities. We show that directors’ financial knowledge increases firm value through the risk management channel. This effect is strengthened by the independence of the directors on the board and on the audit committee. Extending the dimension of education, we show that, following unexpected shocks to gold prices, educated hedgers are more effective than average hedgers in the industry. As a policy implication, our results suggest adding the experience and education dimensions to the 2002 Sarbanes–Oxley Act and New York Stock Exchange requirements for financial literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Georges Dionne & Olfa Maalaoui Chun & Thouraya Triki, 2018. "The Governance of Risk Management: The Importance of Directors’ Independence and Financial Knowledge," Working Papers 18-7, HEC Montreal, Canada Research Chair in Risk Management.
  • Handle: RePEc:ris:crcrmw:2018_007
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    Cited by:

    1. Gunratan Lonare & Gene Lai & Sangyong Han & Chia‐Ling Ho, 2024. "CEO past distress experience and risk‐taking: Evidence from US property–liability insurance firms," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 27(1), pages 5-39, April.
    2. Alzayed, Noora & Batiz-Lazo, Bernardo & Eskandari, Rasol, 2024. "Does board diversity mitigate risk? The effect of homophily and social ties on risk-taking in financial institutions," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PA).
    3. Ouzan, Samuel & Six, Pierre, 2025. "The demand for hedging of oil producers: A tale of risk and regret," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 321(1), pages 330-343.
    4. Dionne, Georges & El Hraiki, Rayane & Mnasri, Mohamed, 2023. "Determinants and real effects of joint hedging: An empirical analysis of US oil and gas producers," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    5. Georges Dionne & Olfa Maalaoui Chun & Thouraya Triki, 2019. "The governance of risk management: The importance of directors’ independence and financial knowledge," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 22(3), pages 247-277, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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