INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE ATTRIBUTES ON COMPANY PERFORMANCE: A MALAYSIAN FOCUS

Abstract

Background and Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between selected audit committee attributes (gender diversity, size, meeting, independence, expertise) and company performance that are assessed as return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA). As one of the primary corporate governance mechanisms facilitating corporate efficiency, audit committees positively impact company performance.   Methodology: This quantitative cross-sectional study underpinned the agency theory through the target population: public listed companies under the Bursa Malaysia. Secondary data were gathered from the corporate annual report of 106 companies and Eikon database between 2018 and 2020 and subsequently analyzed with Pearson Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression using SPSS.   Findings: Resultantly, a positive gender diversity-size correlation was identified with company performance as opposed to meeting, independence, and expertise. Furthermore, a significant gender diversity-size relationship was determined with company performance while no substantial counterparts between (i) meeting and independence and (ii) expertise and company performance were identified for the selected public listed companies. In this vein, audit committee attributes (gender diversity and size) could be utilized as a mechanism for high company performance.   Contributions: The study outcomes offer useful insights into optimizing current corporate governance structures and regulations for relevant authorities.   Keywords: Audit committee, corporate governance, company performance, Malaysia.   Cite as: Gregory, V., Yusoff, H., Tapsir, R., & Fauzi, H. (2024). Investigating the impact of audit committee attributes on company performance: a Malaysian focus. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 185-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp185-217