Corporate Governance & Firm Performance

This book grew out of a study aimed at establishing the relationship and impact of corporate governance on firm performance using the Zimbabwean financial sector as the case study. The study used a time-varying score card to establish the corporate governance index of seven financial institutions registered on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. The study included a more complete set of governance mechanisms including firm ownership, board independence, shareholder activism, and the audit function effectiveness, availability of sub-committees and the effectiveness and liability of the governing board. The study established that, yes, the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance is positive. It also established that for a percentage change in corporate governance mechanism put in place by the firm over the years, firm performance changed by a higher margin. Amongst other recommendations, it was recommended that firms give enough platform to minority shareholders in their shareholder meetings and they must improve on accurate and timely information dissemination.