Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/123422 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
WWZ Discussion Paper No. 2011/12
Publisher: 
University of Basel, Center of Business and Economics (WWZ), Basel
Abstract: 
Regulators and shareholders are calling for independent directors. Independent directors, however, have numerous external professional commitments. Using To- bin's Q as an approximation of market valuation and controlling for endogeneity, our empirical analysis reveals that neither external commitments are negatively related to firm performance nor is independence positively related to it. However, more precise analyses show that executive directors and family representatives have a positive relationship with Tobin's Q. In contrast, external executives are negatively correlated with firm valuation. Moreover, the study indicates that the frequency and duration of meetings are negatively affected by the fraction of executive directors on the board. Insiders potentially reduce the need for meetings because of their specialist competence. The results invalidate rules advocating independent directors and oppose the engagement of directors with external commitments.
Subjects: 
Corporate governance: Board of directors
Board independence
Board busyness
External commitments
JEL: 
G30
G34
K22
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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