Board Characteristics and Financial Performance of Government-Owned Sugar Manufacturing Companies in Kenya

Abstract

The board of directors is tasked with the obligation and the responsibility of administering changes and operations that support the mission of the organization to realize its vision. Kenya in the recent past, has witnessed a number of organizations listed in the NSE collapsing with the board of directors taking the blame. Specifically, the study sought to establish the association between; board diversity, board independence, board size and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study sought to determine whether firm attributes have a moderating impact on the relationship between board characteristics and financial results of Kenyan government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. The study adopted the Agency Theory and Stewardship Theory. The study targeted the Government-Owned Sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya during the years 2000 to 2016 when the companies were operational. The study used secondary data where panel data was used. The findings indicated that board diversity and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. In addition, board independence and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies was also significant. Board Size had a positive but insignificant relationship with financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya. Firm attributes had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between board characteristics and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. The study recommended that the board members should consist of at least half gender diversity of the board members as determined by the board based on the requirements stipulated by the trade authority. Further, the study recommended that the board members must be independent directors, and their independence should be continuously maintained and reviewed at least annually. Keywords: Board Diversity, Board Independence, Board Size, Firm Attributes & Financial Performance