CHAPTER 3: CORPORATE GOVEERNANCE: CONFLICTS, MECHANISMS, RISKS & BENEFITS Flashcards
Stakeholder Conflicts and Management
Principal-Agent Conflict: Principal hires an agent for tasks/services.
Obligation: Agent acts in the best interest of the principal.
Conflict Example: Information asymmetry.
Information Asymmetry
Managers have more information than shareholders/creditors.
Impact: Harder for shareholders to assess managers. Higher risk premiums/returns demanded.
- Managers have more info than shareholders/creditors
- Reduces ability to assess performance
- Investors demand higher risk premiums
Shareholder-Manager Conflicts:
- Insufficient effort: Managers neglect duties, inadequate employee monitoring
- Entrenchment: Managers avoid risks to protect high compensation
- Empire building: Pursuing growth at expense of shareholder value. Growth for growth sake.
- Excessive risk-taking: Over-reliance on stock options encourages risky decisions
- Self-dealing: Misuse of company resources for personal benefit (e.g., private jets)
Agency Costs:
Result from conflicts between agent (manager) and principal (shareholder)
Include:
a) Monitoring costs (e.g., annual reports, board expenses)
b) Bonding costs (e.g., performance guarantees)
Better corporate governance reduces agency costs
Controlling vs Minority Shareholders:
- Dispersed ownership: Many shareholders, none with individual control
- Concentrated ownership: Individual/group has control
Conflicts:
a) Company diversification vs core business focus
b) Long-term vs short-term goals
Ownership Types:
Majority shareholders: Own >50% shares
Minority shareholders: Own <50% shares
Controlling shareholders can exert control without majority ownership
2.2 Controlling and Minority Shareholder Relationships
Dual-Share Classes:
- Multiple share classes with different voting rights
- Superior voting powers assigned to one class, limited rights to others
Benefits for controlling shareholders:
- Avoid voting power dilution when new shares are issued
- Retain control of board elections and strategic decisions
- Maintain control even if ownership falls below 50%
2.3 Shareholder vs. Creditor (Debtholder) Interests
Conflicts arise in:
- Dividend distribution: Creditors concerned about excess dividends impairing debt service ability
- Risk tolerance:
Shareholders: Higher risk tolerance, prefer more risk for higher returns
Creditors: Conservative, prefer stable operating cash flow - Increased borrowing:
- Raises default risk for creditors if company can’t service debt
- Corporate Governance Mechanisms:
Arrangement of checks, balances, and incentives managing conflicting interests among stakeholders (management, board, shareholders, creditors, others)
Purpose: Ensure adherence to external rules and regulations. Meet internal stakeholders’ needs.
Types of Mechanisms:
3.1. Shareholder Mechanisms
3.2. Creditor Mechanisms
3.3. Board of Director and Management Mechanisms
3.4. Employee Mechanisms
3.5. Customer and Supplier Mechanisms
3.6. Government Mechanisms
3.1 Shareholder Mechanisms
Types of mechanisms to mitigate shareholder risks:
- Corporate Reporting and Transparency
- Shareholder Meetings
- Investor Activism
- Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
- Corporate Takeovers
3.1.1 Corporate Reporting and Transparency
Sources of information:
- Annual reports
- Proxy statements
- Company website disclosures
- Investor relations department
- Other channels
3.1.2 Shareholder Meetings
Types of general meetings:
- Annual General Meetings (AGMs):
Held once a year
Present and discuss annual performance
Answer shareholders’ questions
- Extraordinary General Meetings:
Called anytime during the year
Initiated by company or shareholders
For major resolutions (e.g., bylaw amendments, mergers, acquisitions, business sales)
Benefits of information:
- Reduces information asymmetry between shareholders and managers
- Allows assessment of company and management performance
- Aids in company valuation and share trading decisions
- Enables informed voting on key corporate matters
3.1.3 Shareholder Activism
Strategies used by shareholders to compel company action
Primary motivation: Increase shareholder value
Predominant activists: Hedge funds
Voting requirements:
Simple majority: For simple decisions
Supermajority (75%): For material decisions
3.1.5 Corporate Takeovers
Methods:
- Proxy contest: Group seeks board control by influencing shareholder votes
- Tender offer: Offer to purchase shareholders’ shares to gain control
- Hostile takeover: Bypassing management, directly approaching shareholders
Special voting methods:
- Proxy voting: Shareholders authorize others to vote on their behalf
- Cumulative voting: Shareholders accumulate votes for one candidate in multi-director elections
3.1.4 Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
Legal proceedings initiated by shareholders against board directors, management, or controlling shareholders
Note: Prohibited in many countries