Risk Management Committee Attributes and Firm Performance

Abstract

We investigate the impact of risk management committee attributes on firm performance for a sample of 37 finance companies listed on the Malaysian stock exchange covering period from 2007 financial year to 2011. The result indicates that a committee composed of majority independent directors positively enhances firm market valuation and negatively affects accounting returns. Independent committee chair was found to positively enhance accounting returns while prior executive experience of directors enhances both accounting returns and market valuation of the companies. Lastly, presence of executive on RMC shows a significant negative relationship with ROA. The result supports agency theory which suggests that independent directors are in a better position to monitor the executive and protect the interest of the various stakeholders. In addition, the result suggests that regulatory agencies should consider recommending finance companies to have directors with prior executive experience to serve on risk management committee.