Title: The impact of multiple directorships, board characteristics, and ownership on the performance of Palestinian listed companies

Authors: Mohammed W.A. Saleh; Rohaida Abdul Latif; Fathiyyah Abu Bakar; Zahraddeen Salisu Maigoshi

Addresses: Department of Accounting Information system Palestine Technical University – Kadoorei, 00970, Palestine ' Department of Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, School of Accountancy, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Malaysia ' Department of Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, School of Accountancy, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Malaysia ' Department of Accounting, Bayero University, Kano, 00176, Nigeria

Abstract: This research investigates the impact of multiple directorships, board characteristics, and ownership structure among non-financial firms listed on the Palestine Security Exchange (PSE) during the period from 2009 to 2016. Based on panel data of 200 observations, the results show that multiple directorships of board members, more especially independent directors, reduce the overall effectiveness of the firms and lowers their performance. In contrast, results show that board gender diversity and institutional ownership improve corporate performance. The analysis was repeated by considering Tobin's Q as a dependent. This study is timely, given some unique justifications and recommendations for limiting the practice of having excessive multiple directorships because this practice distracts managers from adequately performing their duties.

Keywords: multiple directorships; board size; board gender; board meeting; institutional ownership; firm performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAAPE.2020.106774

International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation, 2020 Vol.16 No.1, pp.63 - 80

Received: 08 Nov 2018
Accepted: 21 Dec 2019
Published online: 20 Apr 2020 *

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