Mariateresa Torchia

Public–Private Partnerships in the Health Care Sector: A systematic review of the literature

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have become popular worldwide as a way of improving health care service delivery. In order to enhance our knowledge of PPPs in the health care sector, we conduct a systematic review of forty-six articles published in peer-reviewed journals for the period of 1990–2011. Six lines of research in the PPP domain are identified: effectiveness, benefits, public interest, country overview, efficiency and partners. The main findings suggest that although PPPs are used to address internationally emerging public health issues, questions as to their actual effectiveness, efficiency and convenience, still remain unanswered. We propose viable recommendations and ideas for future research.

Board of Directors’ Diversity, Creativity, and Cognitive Conflict

Abstract In this study, we examine the relationship between board diversity in terms of member background and personality (deep-level diversity) and board creativity and cognitive conflict, controlled for the mediating role of board members’ interactions. Using a sample of 385 Norwegian companies, the results provide strong support for the notion that the higher the level of board diversity with respect to the board members’ backgrounds and personalities, the higher the degree of board creativity and cognitive conflict during the decision-making process. Moreover, our empirical evidence supports the mediating role of interactions among board members. The study supports the increasing importance of going beyond “surface level diversity” (e.g., diversity in term of gender) and investigating characteristics that are less visible and that are labelled “deep-level” diversity attributes.

Board of directors and financial transparency and disclosure. Evidence from Italy

The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between board of directors’ composition (independent directors’ ratio, board size, CEO-duality) and financial transparency and disclosure (T&D).,The paper analyzes board composition and financial T&D of Italian listed companies using multiple linear regression analysis.,The results of this paper show a significant link between board composition and the level of financial T&D. In particular, the authors found a positive and significant relationship between the independent directors’ ratio and the level of financial T&D and a negative relationship between board size and the level of financial T&D.,While this paper focuses on a sample of 100 Italian listed companies, the authors acknowledge the importance of extending the results to other national context and to other type of firms (e.g. non-listed firms or SMEs). Moreover, while this paper concerns the amount of information disclosed by firms, it does not look at the quality or accuracy of disclosure.,This paper reveals the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms (such as board composition) in enhancing the level of financial T&D. Indeed, the authors provide some indications to firms to improve their internal governance mechanisms (e.g. the importance of high proportion of independent directors and of small- and medium-sized boards of directors).,This paper provides interesting insights to firms which are under pressure to improve the level of information to stakeholders. Moreover, has the level of information that is not legally required vary among companies and countries, the authors shed light on a context characterized by high level of ownership concentration, where firms can experience different types of conflict of interests.

Critical Mass Theory and Women Directors' Contribution to Board Strategic Tasks

In this article we offer an empirical test of the critical mass arguments in the discussion of women on corporate boards. The literature in the women on corporate board debate concludes that there must be at least three women on a board before the women really make a difference. These arguments are frequently used in the public debate about the understanding the impact of women on corporate boards, but they have never really been empirically tested on a large sample. In this paper we use a sample of 317 Norwegian firms. Our dependent variable is board strategic involvement. The findings support the critical mass arguments. This study offers useful insights to policy-makers interested in defining legislative measures mandating the presence of women directors in corporate boards by showing that “at least three women” may be particularly beneficial in terms of contribution to board strategic tasks.