We examine the impact on firm performance of independent directors as a minority group. We find that, when there are only one or two independent directors, firm performance suffers, while with three or more independent directors it improves. We use the changes in independent director composition...

Purpose: Using a data set of Taiwanese listed firms from 2002 to 2015, this paper aims to examine the determinants to voluntarily appoint independent directors. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses panel estimation to exploit both the cross-section and time-series nature of the data....

Purpose: This study aims to examine the Taiwan setting, where audit partners’ names are presented in the audit report and where audit committee formation is voluntary in the initial stage of audit committee reform. This paper investigates the effects of the formation of voluntary audit...

This study focuses on whether information transparency can reduce a firm’s idiosyncratic risk. We measure information transparency from an annual report on the public transparency of Chinese companies. Using a simultaneous equations approach, we find that idiosyncratic risk is reduced when a...

Purpose: Using a data set of listed firms domiciled in Taiwan, this paper aims to empirically assess the effects of ownership structure and board of directors on firm value. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of Taiwanese listed firms from 1997 to 2015, this study uses a panel...

Purpose This study aims to apply signaling theory to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure can deliver effective signals to stakeholders to increase a firm’s competitive advantage in China. Whether ownership patterns or environmental sensitivity causes a significant...