Economic policy uncertainty and directors and officers liability insurance: a perspective on capital market pressures

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on corporate purchases of directors and officers liability insurance from the perspective of capital market pressures. Using data on A-share Chinese listed firms from 2010 to 2021, our theoretical analysis and empirical tests reveal that higher levels of EPU increase purchases. The theoretical analysis and mediating tests reveal that capital market pressures play a mediating role in the relationship between EPU and purchases. This study also finds that the indirect ways in which EPU increases purchases consider the need for firms to mitigate litigation risks and take advantage of insurance governance. The heterogeneous analysis and tests reveal that EPU increases purchases more significantly in firms that have higher managerial agency costs, have lower corporate transparency, and are in industries with higher competition. The findings are significant for improving the risk management system in China’s capital markets.