DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Family Firm Governance and Long-term Corporate Survival: Evidence from Korean Listed Firms

  • Ahn, Se-Yeon (College of Business Administration, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2021.02.28
  • Accepted : 2021.03.25
  • Published : 2021.03.31

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to examine whether family firm governance is related to long-term corporate survival. To find out whether and why family firms have higher chances of long-term survival compared to non family firms, this study analyzes the relationship between some governance characteristics that are prevalent in family firms and corporate long-term viability. Design/methodology/approach - This study utilizes a sample of 285 family firms listed on the Korea Stock Exchange (KSE) to probe the influence of governance characteristics on corporate survival. This study conducts Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to estimate the influences on the survival duration. Findings - The results indicate that firms with particular governance characteristics show higher long-term survivability. Specifically, the probability of firm's long-term survival is increased when the CEO is the largest shareholder, which may be related to CEO's stewardship attitudes. Research implications or Originality - This study has significance in that it examines the direct causal variables that enhance long-term corporate viability through a large scale empirical examination. Also, the study findings provide some clues as to why certain family firms outlive non-family firms.

Keywords

References

  1. Agarwal, R., M. Sarkar and R. Echambadi (2002), "The Conditioning Effect of Time on Firm Survival: An Industry Life Cycle Approach", Academy of Management Journal, 45(5), 971-994 https://doi.org/10.2307/3069325
  2. Ahn, S. Y. (2018), "Founder Succession, The Imprint of Founders' Legacies, and Long-term Corporate Survival", Sustainability, 10(5), 1485. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051485
  3. Ahn, S. Y. (2014), "A Study on the Common Management Practices of Long-Lived Companies", Korean Management Review, 43(3), 889-917.
  4. Aldrich, H. and E. R. Auster (1986), "Even Dwarfs Started Small: Liabilities of Age and Size and Their Strategic Implications", Research In Organizational Behavior, 8, 165-186.
  5. Allen, M. P. and S. K. Panian (1982), "Power, Performance, and Succession in the Large Corporation", Administrative Science Quarterly, 27(4), 538-547. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392529
  6. Allio, M. K. (2004), "Family Businesses: Their Virtues, Vices, and Strategic Path", Strategy and Leadership, 32(4), 24-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878570410576704
  7. Amihud, Y. and B. Lev (1999), "Does Corporate Ownership Structure Affect Its Strategy Towards Diversification?", Strategic Management Journal, 20(11), 1063-1069. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199911)20:11<1063::AID-SMJ69>3.0.CO;2-S
  8. Anderson, R. C. and D. M. Reeb (2003), "Founding Family Ownership and Firm Performance: Evidence from the S&P 500", The Journal of Finance, 58(3), 1301-1327. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6261.00567
  9. Andres, C. (2008), "Large Shareholders and Firm Performance-An Empirical Examination of Founding Family Ownership", Journal of Corporate Finance, 14(4), 431-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2008.05.003
  10. Arregle, J. L., M. A. Hitt, D. G. Sirmon and P. Very (2007), "The Development of Organizational Social Capital: Attributes of Family Firms", Journal of Management Studies, 44(1), 73-95. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2007.00665.x
  11. Astrachan, J. H. and M. C. Shanker (2003), "Family Businesses' Contribution to the US Economy: A Closer Look", Family Business Review, 16(3), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944865030160030601
  12. Bercovitz, J. and W. Mitchell (2007), "When Is More Better? The Impact of Business Scale and Scope on Long-term Business Survival, While Controlling for Profitability", Strategic Management Journal, 28(1), 61-79. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.568
  13. Bertrand, M. and A. Schoar (2006), "The Role of Family In Family Firms", The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 20(2), 73-96. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.20.2.73
  14. Bubolz, M. M. (2001), "Family as Source, User, and Builder of Social Capital", The Journal of Socio-Economics, 30(2), 129-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1053-5357(00)00091-3
  15. Bruderl, J. and R. Schussler (1990), "Organizational Mortality: The Liabilities of Newness and Adolescence", Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(3), 530-547. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393316
  16. Carney, M. (2005), "Corporate Governance and Competitive Advantage in Family-controlled Firms", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 29(3), 249-265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2005.00081.x
  17. Carroll, G. R. and M. T. Hannan (1989), "Density Dependence in the Evolution of Populations of Newspaper Organizations", American Sociological Review, 54(4), 524-541. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095875
  18. Casson, M. (1999), "The Economics of The Family Firm", Scandinavian Economic History Review, 47(1), 10-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/03585522.1999.10419802
  19. Chrisman, J. J., J. H. Chua, F. W. Kellermanns and E. P. Chang (2007), "Are Family Managers Agents or Stewards? An Exploratory Study in Privately Held Family Firms", Journal of Business Research, 60(10), 1030-1038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2006.12.011
  20. Chua, J. H., J. J. Chrisman and P. Sharma (1999), "Defining the Family Business by Behavior", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 23(4), 19-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/104225879902300402
  21. Ciravegna, L., L. Kano, F. Rattalino and A. Verbeke (2020), "Corporate Diplomacy and Family Firm Longevity", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 44(1), 109-133. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258719838477
  22. Daily, C. M. and J. L. Johnson (1997), "Sources of CEO Power and Firm Financial Performance: A Longitudinal Assessment", Journal of Management, 23(2), 97-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063(97)90039-8
  23. Daily, C. M., D. R. Dalton and A. A. Cannella Jr. (2003), "Corporate Governance: Decades of Dialogue and Data", Academy of Management Review, 28(3), 371-382. https://doi.org/10.2307/30040727
  24. Davis, J. H., F. D. Schoorman, and L. Donaldson (1997), "Toward a Stewardship Theory of Management", Academy of Management Review, 22(1), 20-47. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.1997.9707180258
  25. De Geus, A. (1997), "The Living Company," Harvard Business Review, 33, 114-135.
  26. Demsetz, H. and K. Lehn (1985), "The Structure of Corporate Ownership: Causes and Consequences", The Journal of Political Economy, 93(6), 1155-1177. https://doi.org/10.1086/261354
  27. Donaldson, L. and J. H. Davis (1991), "Stewardship Theory or Agency Theory: CEO Governance and Shareholder Returns," Australian Journal of Management, 16(1), 49-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/031289629101600103
  28. Dyer, W. G. (2006), "Examining The "Family Effect" on Firm Performance", Family Business Review, 19(4), 253-273. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2006.00074.x
  29. Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989), "Agency Theory: An Assessment and Review", Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 57-74. https://doi.org/10.2307/258191
  30. Evans, D. S. (1987), "The Relationship Between Firm Growth, Size, and Age: Estimates for 100 Manufacturing Industries", The Journal of Industrial Economics, 35(4), 567-581. https://doi.org/10.2307/2098588
  31. Freeman, J., G. R. Carroll and M. T. Hannan (1983), "The Liability of Newness: Age Dependence in Organizational Death Rates", American Sociological Review, 48(5), 692-710. https://doi.org/10.2307/2094928
  32. Gedajlovic, E., M. H. Lubatkin and W. S. Schulze (2004), "Crossing the Threshold from Founder Management to Professional Management: A Governance Perspective", Journal of Management Studies, 41(5), 899-912. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00459.x
  33. Goffee, R. and R. Scase(1985), "Proprietorial Control in Family Firms: Some Functions of 'Quasi-Organic' Management Systems", Journal of Management Studies, 22(1), 53-68. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.1985.tb00242.x
  34. Gomez-Mejia, L. R., K. T. Haynes, M. Nunez-Nickel, K. J. L. Jacobson and J. Moyano-Fuentes (2007), "Socioemotional Wealth and Business Risks in Family-Controlled Firms: Evidence From Spanish Olive Oil Mills", Administrative Science Quarterly, 52(1), 106-137. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.52.1.106
  35. Gomez-Mejia, L. R., K. Haynes, M. Nunez-Nickel, K. Jacobson and J. Moyano-Fuentes (2007), "Family Owned Firms: Risk Loving or Risk Averse", Administrative Science Quarterly, 52(1), 106-137. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.52.1.106
  36. Hambrick, D. C. and R. A. D'Aveni (1988), "Large Corporate Failures as Downward Spirals", Administrative Science Quarterly, 33(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392853
  37. Handler, W. C. (1989), "Methodological Issues and Considerations in Studying Family Businesses", Family Business Review, 2(3), 257-276. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1989.00257.x
  38. Hannan, M. T. and J. Freeman (1977), "The Population Ecology of Organizations", American Journal of Sociology, 82(5), 929-964. https://doi.org/10.1086/226424
  39. Harris, D., J. I. Martinez and J. L. Ward (1994), "Is Strategy Different for the Family-owned Business?", Family Business Review, 7(2), 159-174. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1994.00159.x
  40. He, L. (2008), "Do Founders Matter? A Study of Executive Compensation, Governance Structure and Firm Performance", Journal of Business Venturing, 23(3), 257-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2007.02.001
  41. Henderson, A. D. (1999), "Firm Strategy and Age Dependence: A Contingent View of the Liabilities of Newness, Adolescence, and Obsolescence", Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 281-314. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666997
  42. Hill, C. W. and S. A. Snell (1988), "External Control, Corporate Strategy, and Firm Performance in Research-Intensive Industries", Strategic Management Journal, 9(6), 577-590. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250090605
  43. James, H. S. (1999), "Owner as Manager, Extended Horizons and the Family Firm", International Journal of The Economics of Business, 6(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/13571519984304
  44. Jensen, M. C. and W. H. Meckling (1976), "Theory of The Firm: Managerial Behavior, Agency Costs and Ownership Structure", Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
  45. Lansberg, I., E. L. Perrow and S. Rogolsky (1988), "Family Business As An Emerging Field", Family Business Review, 1(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1988.00001.x
  46. Le Breton-Miller, I. and D. Miller (2006), "Why Do Some Family Businesses Out-compete? Governance, Long-Term Orientations, and Sustainable Capability", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 30(6), 731-746. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2006.00147.x
  47. Le Breton-Miller, I. and D. Miller (2009), "Agency Vs. Stewardship in Public Family Firms: A Social Embeddedness Reconciliation", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(6), 1169-1191. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00339.x
  48. Lee, G., K. Choo, J. Kim, H. Kim, M. Jung, R. Kang, Y. Kim and M. Chung (2008), Evolution of The Firms In Korea Since 1945, Seoul: Seoul National University Press.
  49. Lee, J. (2006), "Family Firm Performance: Further Evidence", Family Business Review, 19(2), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2006.00060.x
  50. Levinthal, D. A. (1991), "Random Walks and Organizational Mortality", Administrative Science Quarterly, 36(3), 397-420. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393202
  51. Lohde, A. S. K., A. Calabro and M. Torchia (2020), "Understanding the Main Drivers of Family Firm Longevity: The Role of Business Family Learning", International Studies of Management & Organization, 50(2), 130-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/00208825.2020.1758421
  52. Madison, K., D. T. Holt, F. W. Kellermanns and A. L. Ranft (2016), "Viewing Family Firm Behavior and Governance Through the Lens of Agency and Stewardship Theories", Family Business Review, 29(1), 65-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486515594292
  53. Miller, D. and I. Le Breton-Miller (2005), Managing for the Long Run: Lessons in Competitive Advantage from Great Family Businesses. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
  54. Miller, D., I. Le Breton-Miller and B. Scholnick (2008), "Stewardship Vs. Stagnation: An Empirical Comparison of Small Family and Non-Family Businesses", Journal of Management Studies, 45(1), 51-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2007.00718.x
  55. Miller, D., I. Le Breton-Miller, R. H. Lester and A. A. Cannella Jr. (2007), "Are Family Firms Really Superior Performers?", Journal of Corporate Finance, 13(5), 829-858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2007.03.004
  56. Miller, D., J. Lee, S. Chang and I. Le Breton-Miller (2009), "Filling the Institutional Void: The Social Behavior and Performance of Family Vs Non-Family Technology Firms in Emerging Markets", Journal of International Business Studies, 40(5), 802-817. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2009.11
  57. Morck, R. and B. Yeung (2003), "Agency Problems in Large Family Business Groups", Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 27(4), 367-382. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-8520.t01-1-00015
  58. Mzid, I., N. Khachlouf and R. Soparnot (2019), "How Does Family Capital Influence the Resilience of Family Firms?", Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 17(2), 249-277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-018-0226-7
  59. O'Hara, W. T. (2004), Centuries of Success: Lessons From The World'S Most Enduring Family Businesses. Adams Media Corporation.
  60. O'Reilly, C. and J. Chatman (1986), "Organizational Commitment and Psychological Attachment: The Effects of Compliance, Identification, and Internalization on Pro-social Behavior", Journal of Applied Psychology, 71(3), 492-499. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.71.3.492
  61. Pierce, J. L., T. Kostova and K. T. Dirks (2001), "Toward a Theory of Psychological Ownership in Organizations", Academy of Management Review, 26(2), 298-310. https://doi.org/10.2307/259124
  62. Poza, E. J., T. Alfred and A. Maheshwari (1997), "Stakeholder Perceptions of Culture and Management Practices in Family and Family Firms-A Preliminary Report", Family Business Review, 10(2), 135-155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1997.00135.x
  63. Schulze, W. S., M. H. Lubatkin and R. N. Dino (2003), "Toward a Theory of Agency and Altruism in Family Firms," Journal of Business Venturing, 18(4), 473-490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(03)00054-5
  64. Shanker, M. C. and J. H. Astrachan (1996), "Myths and Realities: Family Businesses' Contribution to the US Economy-A Framework for Assessing Family Business Statistics", Family Business Review, 9(2), 107-123. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1996.00107.x
  65. Shleifer, A. and R. W. Vishny (1997), "A Survey of Corporate Governance", The Journal of Finance, 52(2), 737-783. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1997.tb04820.x
  66. Stafford, K., S. M. Danes and G. W. Haynes (2013), "Long-Term Family Firm Survival and Growth Considering Owning Family Adaptive Capacity and Federal Disaster Assistance Receipt", Journal of Family Business Strategy, 4(3), 188-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2013.06.002
  67. Stein, J. C. (1989), "Efficient Capital Markets, Inefficient Firms: A Model of Myopic Corporate Behavior", The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 104(4), 655-669. https://doi.org/10.2307/2937861
  68. Thornhill, S. and R. Amit (2003), "Learning About Failure: Bankruptcy, Firm Age, and The Resource-Based View", Organization Science, 14(5), 497-509. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.14.5.497.16761
  69. Tosi, H. L., A. L. Brownlee, P. Silva and J. P. Katz (2003), "An Empirical Exploration of Decision-Making under Agency Controls and Stewardship Structure", Journal of Management Studies, 40(8), 2053-2071. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-6486.2003.00411.x
  70. Tsui-Auch, L. S. (2004), "The Professionally Managed Family-ruled Enterprise: Ethnic Chinese Business In Singapore", Journal of Management Studies, 41(4), 693-723. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00450.x
  71. Villalonga, B. and R. Amit (2006), "How Do Family Ownership, Control and Management Affect Firm Value?", Journal of Financial Economics, 80(2), 385-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2004.12.005
  72. Wagner, D., J. H. Block, D. Miller, C. Schwens and G. Xi (2015), "A Meta-Analysis of The Financial Performance of Family Firms: Another Attempt", Journal of Family Business Strategy, 6(1), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2015.01.001
  73. Wangrow, D. B., D. J. Schepker and V. L. Barker Iii (2015), "Managerial Discretion: An Empirical Review and Focus on Future Research Directions", Journal of Management, 41(1), 99-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206314554214
  74. Zahra, S. A. (1996), "Governance, Ownership, and Corporate Entrepreneurship: The Moderating Impact of Industry Technological Opportunities", Academy of Management Journal, 39(6), 1713-1735. https://doi.org/10.2307/257076