Independent directors’ human and social capital, firm internationalization and performance implications: An integrated agency-resource dependence view

Despite the importance of internationalization for many firms and the substantial roles of independent directors as monitors and resource providers in corporate strategic orientation, few, if any, studies have investigated how independent directors with human and social capital contribute to firm internationalization. Drawing upon agency and resource dependence theories, this study argues that independent directors with human and social capital provide firms with strategic advice and adequate resources for internationalization, thereby increasing firm willingness to internationalize. Using 173 Taiwanese electronics firms and a weighted linear fixed-effects regression approach, the results indicate that independent directors’ industry-specific experience, international experience and interlocking directorate ties are positively associated with internationalization and that an inverted-U relationship exists between independent directors’ tenure overlap and internationalization. One implication is that international firms may consider appointing independent directors with human and social capital to the board because they will provide firms with resources necessary for successful internationalization.