CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE AND THE EFFECTS TO CAPITAL STRUCTURE IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

This paper attempts to investigate the compliance level  among public listed companies with the implementation of corporate governance code of best practices and the association to firm’s capital structure in Malaysia. The data are gathered from the analysis of companies’ annual report and Thompson DataStream for a sample of 126 companies over the period of 1998 to 2006. The study employs multiple regression analyses on board of director’s facets such dual leadership, board size and board meeting. The preliminary results of this study reveal most of the company has complied well with the code and there is a significant association to the firm’s capital structure.

Key words: Corporate Governance, Dual Leadership, Capital Structure, Board of Directors’ Facets