Comparative Corporate Governance in Emerging Markets

This chapter provides an overview of corporate governance (CG) in emerging markets (EMs). Focusing mainly on the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), the chapter adopts a systematic cross-national comparative approach. It begins by highlighting the importance of better understanding CG in EMs, and identifies some of the key challenges these countries face as they seek to enhance their CG. The chapter goes on to review managerial research conducted after the year 2000 on CG in emerging markets in the following four categories: ownership, boards of directors, top management teams (TMTs), and CG practices and reform. The chapter discusses the main research questions and findings from this collective body of work. It is noteworthy how “siloed” this research has been in terms of drawing few cross-national comparisons. The third section offers an overview of the main CG features of each of the BRIC countries relative to one another, taking on the OECD Guidelines of CG as its benchmark framework. To do so, the chapter first addresses core governance areas related to the overall model of CG, ownership types and ownership rights, information disclosure and reporting, and stakeholder management and corporate social responsibility. The chapter concludes by highlighting common themes for CG in emerging markets and suggesting fruitful areas for future research.