Title: Linking board types to key board roles

Authors: Marie-Josee Roy

Addresses: Faculty of Administrative Sciences, University Laval, Quebec, G1K 7P4, Canada

Abstract: Based on the results of a survey of 161 Canadian companies, this study focuses on board characteristics and their relationship to two essential board roles: strategy involvement and management monitoring. To examine these issues, a typology highlighting four possible board types is presented based on the level of independence and expertise of boards (authoritative, executive, institutional and convenient). The study demonstrates that board characteristics do have a significant impact on board roles. This study|s findings are consistent with basic agency arguments regarding the importance of creating independent boards. However, it highlights the importance of board expertise as an essential criterion for board performance.

Keywords: board of directors; board composition; board roles; board performance; business governance; Canada; strategy involvement; management monitoring; board independence; board expertise.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2009.023334

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2009 Vol.4 No.3, pp.298 - 314

Published online: 19 Feb 2009 *

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