Takeover defense, collective action and the top management team

Purpose The purpose of the study is to examine the interaction between the structure of the top management team, takeover defense mechanisms and firms rate of collective actions. Design/methodology/approach The study uses elements of agency theory, prospect theory and competitive dynamics research to develop a model for examining heterogeneity in the rate of collective actions among firms in the technology sector. A sample of 299 firm-year observations arrayed into panel regression analyses is used. Findings The findings from this study show a positive relationship between the size of the top management team and the count of collective actions when takeover defense mechanisms are present. Further this study finds a negative relationship between top management team ownership and collective actions when these same takeover defense mechanisms are present. Additionally, the female ratio of the top management team is negatively related to collective actions. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted using a sample of technological firms. These relationships may not be generalizable to firms in other contexts. Further, other elements of the firm’s governance structure (i.e. board of directors or shareholders) may play an important role in the strategic decision-making process. Originality/value This study expands on existing research by linking several blocks of literature, top management team literature, competitive dynamics literature and corporate governance literature, into a model to examine firm structural characteristics on the heterogeneity in the propensity to formulate collective actions among firms.

Reducing Risk Through Governance

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of formal governance policy. Many firms have a formal governance policy. Others, however, have no such a policy. This study examines what kind of firm's characteristics that encourage companies to adopt a formal governance policy. Data were collected from Corporate Library. A sample of 3,068 firms from the database of 2010 Corporate Library was analyzed. Results show that when firms have a better financial performance and better corporate governance practice, they are more likely to have a formal governance policy. Specifically, when firms have a better board rating, compensation policy, takeover defense strategy, and accounting practice, firms are more likely to have a formal governance policy.

Motivations Of Public To Private Transactions: An International Empirical Investigation

This article contributes to the financial literature by investigating the motivations of Public to Private transactions in an international perspective (Europe, USA and Asia). We consider seven main possible motivations: tax savings, incentive realignment, control, free cash-flow, growth of prospects, takeover defense and undervaluation. Our empirical findings suggest that low growth prospects, low liquidity and high free cash-flow are the three main motivations for a Public to Private transactions. However, regions show some particularities such as importance of family block-holders in Europe and importance of the level of taxation in Asia.

Reducing Risk through Governance

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of formal governance policy. Many firms have a formal governance policy. Others, however, have no such a policy. This study examines what kind of firm's characteristics that encourage companies to adopt a formal governance policy. Data were collected from Corporate Library. A sample of 3,068 firms from the database of 2010 Corporate Library was analyzed. Results show that when firms have a better financial performance and better corporate governance practice, they are more likely to have a formal governance policy. Specifically, when firms have a better board rating, compensation policy, takeover defense strategy, and accounting practice, firms are more likely to have a formal governance policy.