Using a unique, hand-collected data sample and panel-data econometric techniques, we analyse the impact of founding-family control and intergenerational succession on the value of Chilean listed companies. After controlling for firm-and ownership-specific characteristics, we find an inverse U-shaped relationship between a founding family's degree of ownership and firm value. Hence, family ownership at first increases firm value. However, when family ownership exceeds a threshold of about 38 percent of outstanding shares, the family takes advantage of its power in the firm and extracts wealth from minority shareholders. Further, if the founder of the company is the CEO or chairman of the board, firm value increases. However, family businesses with a subsequent-generation owner-manager destroy value.
From a corporate governance point of view, this paper addresses the question of how corporate ownership and board characteristics influence firm value for a sample of Ibero-American companies. Specifically, we analyse indexed non-financial companies from Chile and Spain for the period 2007-2016, using the GMM panel data technique. Our research is novel in considering a twocountry approach, with one emerging and one developed country, and in analysing how corporate ownership and board characteristics, in addition to contextual variables, determine firm value. Our results assess the efficiency of corporate governance mechanisms. Although findings are intriguing regarding ownership concentration, they confirm the benefits of a good board of directors. This type of board is characterised by a large size, sufficiently independent directors, and a balance in terms of gender diversity. We provide several policy recommendations from our main findings.
Background: The use of derivative instruments, as corporate policy to hedge financial risks has a positive impact on the firm value. However, in countries characterized by weak legal protection of the investors' rights and ownership structures highly concentrated, like in Chile, majority shareholders could use this policy to extract wealth from minority shareholders. Methods: Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), this paper analyzes a panel of 133 nonfinancial companies listed on the Santiago de Chile Stock Exchange between 2008 and 2013. Results: The results indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between the amount of derivatives used and the company value. However, this evidence is conditioned when the majority shareholder (s) keep the control of the company. If the main shareholder or the three major shareholders hold more than 67% of the outstanding shares, then the relationship between the amount of derivatives used and firm value is negative. Conclusion: In analyzing the dynamics between the ownership concentration and the use of derivatives, we findout that when the majority shareholders and the
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