The Effect of Corporate Governance and Firm Characteristics on Firm Value: Evidence from Jordan

Abstract

The Effect of Corporate Governance and Firm Characteristics on Firm Value: Evidence from Jordan

This study aims to provide evidence for the impact of corporate governance and firm characteristics on the industrial firm value. The sample of 40 industrial public shareholding companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange during the period (2009-2018) with a total observation reached (4670) included in the analysis. For the corporate governance, it was measured through (board size, female directors, board independence, audit committee meetings, along with CEO duality). While Firm characteristics was measured by (firm size, firm age, year of establishment, and listing year). Tobin’s Q was used as an indicator of the firm value.

 The major findings obtained indicated a negative impact for the independence board of directors on the firm value. However, the number of audit committee meetings, board size, and number of female directors on the board, as well as CEO duality, age-Establish and age-List did not significantly affect the company's value. On the other hand, it was found that there is a positive impact for the company's leverage on firm value, and no effect was appeared for current ratio and tangibility on it.

In view of the findings, the study recommended the Jordanian firms to have a real focus on improving their corporate governance practices through the witnessed increase awareness among their related parties at all levels regarding the importance of applying corporate rules. This is considered as a step leading to enhance their firm value.

Keywords: Corporate Governance, Firm Characteristics, Firm Value, Industrial Firms.