Mediating role of research and development and financial leverage on the relationship between corporate board characteristics and dividend payout policy

Author Identifier (ORCID)

Md Harun Ur Rashid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7660-9531

Abstract

The study investigates the mediating effect of research and development (R&D) and financial leverage on the relationship between corporate board characteristics (diversity, size, tenure) and dividend payout. The study uses structural equation modelling to analyse data collected from 203 non-financial firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia between 2005 and 2018. The findings revealed a serial partial arbitration effect of R&D and financial leverage on the relationship between board characteristics (board size and board diversity) and dividend payout. Though the outcomes show that financial leverage partially mediates the association between the board of directors’ tenure and dividend, R&D fully mediates between board tenure, board diversity, and financial leverage. The findings imply that board characteristics influence the declaration of a sound payout policy which attracts more investment to the stock exchange. The study also offers the policymakers of developing countries valuable insights into how creditors’ pressure and investment in R&D influence the board’s approach toward dividend payout policy.

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2025

Volume

15

Issue

6

Publication Title

Afro Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting

Publisher

Inderscience Publishers

School

School of Business and Law

Comments

Tahir, H., Rahman, M., & Rashid, M. H. U. (2025). Mediating role of research and development and financial leverage on the relationship between corporate board characteristics and dividend payout policy. Afro Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 15(6), 775–796. https://doi.org/10.1504/AAJFA.2025.149793

Copyright

subscription content

First Page

775

Last Page

796

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1504/AAJFA.2025.149793