Thesis

Diversity in the board of directors and earnings quality : the moderating effect of board roles

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2023
Thesis identifier
  • T16834
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 202076844
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • This thesis background focuses on the growing body of literature examining how governance mechanisms affect the quality of reported earnings. This thesis highlights that board of directors play a crucial role in corporate governance, as they control and advise management teams on financial information processes, that help stakeholders make informed decisions about firms. To date, previous research on the causes and effects of governance mechanisms assumes that these mechanisms operate independently. However, since multiple mechanisms are used to align the interests of shareholders and managers, this thesis proposes that the level of one mechanism should be influenced by the levels of other mechanisms operating concurrently within the firm. Thus, this thesis examines the moderating effect of board characteristics, specifically board diversity and board role, and develops a theoretical framework to explain how board characteristics influence accounting information quality. This thesis uses fixed-effects regression analysis of a sample of 13,522 firm-year observations in six developed economies: Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, the US, and the UK. This research finds that the composition of the board of directors in terms of diversity and roles has a substantial effect on earnings quality. They play substitutive and complementary roles that influence the company’s earnings quality. Such findings should aid regulators and policymakers in developing governance mechanisms that enhance the quality of financial information. This thesis makes substantial contributions to numerous academic and professional fields. Regarding theoretical contributions, this study incorporates multiple theoretical perspectives, such as human capital theory, agency theory, and resource dependence theory, to better interpret the impact of board of directors’ characteristics on corporate outcomes. Regarding methodological contributions, this study creates combined board diversity indices in order to investigate this topic from a holistic view. This thesis also interprets moderated regression models using a significant interpretive tool, viz. the marginal effect graph.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Smith, Julia A. (Julia Anne), 1969-
Resource Type
Note
  • Previously held under moratorium from 23 February 2024 until 23 February 2026.
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