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Corporate governance convergence in the European M&A market

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  • Drobetz, Wolfgang
  • Momtaz, Paul P.

Abstract

Cross-border acquisitions lead to improvements in shareholder rights and more dispersed ownership structures in a large sample of intra-European takeovers. These findings are evidence of corporate governance convergence toward the Anglo-Saxon system through cross-border takeovers. However, we find no support for the corporate governance motive hypothesis in cross-border acquisitions even after accounting for potential sample selectivity. Although acquirers have significantly better shareholder rights than their targets, there are no robust marginal bidder wealth effects for firms that acquire either weaker or stronger governance foreign targets. Instead, bidder wealth effects in cross-border acquisitions are better explained by acculturation costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Drobetz, Wolfgang & Momtaz, Paul P., 2020. "Corporate governance convergence in the European M&A market," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:32:y:2020:i:c:s1544612318306421
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2019.01.003
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    Cited by:

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    2. Magnus Blomkvist & Johannes Kortekangas & Hitesh Vyas, 2021. "Credit rating levels and acquisitions: the European evidence," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(2), pages 222-233.
    3. Magnus Blomkvist & Johannes Kortekangas & Hitesh Vyas, 2021. "Credit Rating Levels and Acquisitions: The European Evidence," Post-Print hal-03196701, HAL.
    4. Simon Döring & Wolfgang Drobetz & Sadok El Ghoul & Omrane Guedhami & Henning Schröder, 2021. "Institutional investment horizons and firm valuation around the world," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(2), pages 212-244, March.
    5. Dissanaike, Gishan & Drobetz, Wolfgang & Momtaz, Paul P. & Rocholl, Jörg, 2021. "The Economics of Law Enforcement: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Corporate Takeover Law," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Takeovers; Mergers and acquisitions; Corporate governance; Investor protection; Ownership structures; Bidder wealth effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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