INTERLOCKING BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined interlocking board membership and financial performance of listed firms in Nigeria. A sample of fifty (50) listed non- financial firms was selected from the population using the systematic random sampling technique. The data for the period, 2007 to 2018 was analyzed using the descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and the general method of moment (GMM). Findings revealed that the one lag value of the returns on equity is statistically significant and positively correlated with the firms’ financial performance. Interlocking board membership (IBM) exerted a negative and significant impact on the firms’ financial performance. Board size exerted a positive impact on the performance of the firms, suggesting that a relatively large board size engenders conflicts in decision making and may hamper financial performance of firms. Firm size was positive and significant on the firm performance in the reference period. Implicitly, board interlocks under the upper echelon theory, irrespective of the size of the board is yet a key driver of corporate financial performance in Nigeria. The study recommends that managerial interlocking board membership should be examined in the context of agency relationship on firm performance. There is need for regulators to design a framework on the proportion of board interlocks inclusion in firm board. Firm should be mandated to disclose proportion of board interlock as it will guide researchers in carrying out critical analysis for policy recommendations.