Abstract:

This paper attempts to examine the potential occurrence of profit redistribution in family-controlled business groups in Malaysia. It is argued that there exists a tendency for business groups with extensive family ownership and control to redistribute resources from group affiliates that outperformed to affiliates that underperformed. This is prevalent particularly in large business groups where the link between politics and the business groups is most clearly displayed. These ‘propping up’ activities are believed to adversely affect the shareholders of the outperforming affiliates as the performance of these affiliates diminishes due to the profit redistribution. They also result in inefficient allocation of resources within the business group, though it is found that higher board independence may reduce such inefficiency.