Rookie directors and board efficacy

Abstract

Recent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have resulted in significant board refreshment, specifically in the characteristics and qualities of board members across various dimensions. To facilitate these changes, U.S. boardrooms are increasingly appointing inexperienced rookie directors. Our findings indicate that rookie refreshment enhances board monitoring effectiveness, as evidenced by improved CEO turnover–performance sensitivity, better CEO incentives, and higher earnings quality. While rookie refreshment does not enhance the board's advising capacity, it does not hinder it either. These findings challenge DEI critics who argue that rookie appointments result in inefficient firm-director matching, thereby hampering corporate governance. Moreover, we show that boards continue to benefit from seasoned director refreshment to improve advising effectiveness, as reflected in firms' investment efficiency and acquisition activities and performance. Overall, we posit that rookie directors enhance board effectiveness when their presence refreshes the board's composition relative to its prior attributes.