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Exit as governance: do blockholders affect corporate innovation in large US firms?

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  • Axel R. Helling
  • Benjamin Maury
  • Eva Liljeblom

Abstract

Using a sample of large US firms, this study shows that blockholders in combination with liquidity can contribute positively to innovation (R&D investments). We contribute to the literature on managerial myopia that has focused mainly on large owners and their type (short‐term/long‐term). Our results are in line with recent theoretical studies arguing that blockholders in combination with market liquidity can mitigate managerial myopia, as suggested by the exit model of governance. The results indicate that blockholders can be efficient in resolving agency problems and that they can enhance long‐term prosperity, even when the individual blockholder investment horizon may not be long.

Suggested Citation

  • Axel R. Helling & Benjamin Maury & Eva Liljeblom, 2020. "Exit as governance: do blockholders affect corporate innovation in large US firms?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(2), pages 1703-1725, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:60:y:2020:i:2:p:1703-1725
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12509
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hedy Jiaying Huang & Ahsan Habib & Sophia Li Sun & Ying Liu & Huiting Guo, 2021. "Financial reporting and corporate innovation: a review of the international literature," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(4), pages 5439-5499, December.
    2. Rong Xu & Conggang Li & Cong Cao & Minghao Fang, 2021. "Does science–industry cooperation policy enhance corporate innovation: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(3), pages 3823-3853, September.
    3. Hui Xia & Shixian Ling & Zhangxin (Frank) Liu, 2023. "Heterogeneous Blockholders and Enterprise Innovation: Evidence From the Mixed-Ownership Reform in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.
    4. Rajeev K. Goel & James W. Saunoris, 2022. "Push from the shadows: Does the shadow economy facilitate market exit of firms?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 2955-2966, October.

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