Reducing Risk Through Governance

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of formal governance policy. Many firms have a formal governance policy. Others, however, have no such a policy. This study examines what kind of firm's characteristics that encourage companies to adopt a formal governance policy. Data were collected from Corporate Library. A sample of 3,068 firms from the database of 2010 Corporate Library was analyzed. Results show that when firms have a better financial performance and better corporate governance practice, they are more likely to have a formal governance policy. Specifically, when firms have a better board rating, compensation policy, takeover defense strategy, and accounting practice, firms are more likely to have a formal governance policy.