These figures reflect the probability that directors
of large firms will have interests in competing
businesses. Tycoons and large families in HK hold
portfolios of listed companies, some of which are in
the same industry. This leads to a lack of independence
in boards of directors, because controlling
shareholders are also directors of related companies.
In addition, controlling shareholders can appoint
directors, who then work to further their interests.
This sets up the conditions for tunnelling, i.e. the
transfer of a firm’s assets to its management or large
shareholders. Results from our model point to a
positive significance in this area. The ‘no conflict of
interest’ attribute is given by a combination of the
nonexistence of a firm’s EDs, NEDs and INEDs in
competing businesses. Possessing this attribute
implies that directors have no interest in any competing
businesses, because any such interest leads to
difficulties for directors in terms of their balance of
interests between businesses. Investors may also
perceive that directors might tunnel a firm’s assets if
they have another interest in the same industry.
Cheung et al. (2006) provide preliminary direct
evidence on tunnelling in HK-listed companies.