Board committees, the most critical subgroups of corporate governance, are examined in terms of the director qualifications of type, tenure, age, internal activity, and external activity. Comparisons of subgroup members' qualifications with those of nonsubgroup members suggest that committees are generally composed of the most qualified directors. Comparisons of new members of committees with continuing and nonmembers suggest that cohesiveness and diversity pressures are balanced in the appointment of new members. The results yield insights about subgroup membership dynamics at the board level, particularly that the mandate and functions of a committee call for specific member qualifications.
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