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Appendix: The Survey of CEOs

In preparing this book, we surveyed CEOs of publicly listed companies to get their views about non-executive directors. We chose to approach CEOs because their opinions constitute a gap in the growing literature on boards. There have been many useful surveys of board structures and practices, as well as surveys to determine non-executive directors’ views on a variety of issues pertaining to board practice and performance. Few, however, have sought to understand the CEO’s perceptions and opinions.

CEOs’ views are a crucial input to the corporate governance debate. These individuals play a critically important role in boards. They are a major influence on whether non-executive directors can do their jobs properly, and ...