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The Impact of Institutional Investors on Corporate Governance: A View of Swiss Pension Funds in a Changing Financial Environment

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Abstract

Theories on corporate governance have developed in line with the development of the financial markets and the increasing power of institutional investors. Indeed, the financial markets' power can be measured by the ability of shareholders, and of institutional investors in particular, to influence businesses and their managers. A number of reforms have been implemented in several countries, Switzerland included, in order to strengthen shareholders' powers. Making specific reference to Swiss case studies, this paper aims to create a better understanding of the role of institutional investors in corporate governance. Indeed, Switzerland is paradoxical in that it is generally considered Rhenish, with banks and families taking a leading role in controlling big business (David et al. 2004; Windolf & Nollert 2001), whilst developing a pension fund system which, since the mid-1980s, has attracted considerable funds and is still experiencing strong growth. How do these two approaches, traditionally at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as the subject's literature is concerned, reconcile themselves in the Swiss market?

Suggested Citation

  • Thierry Theurillat & José Corpataux & Olivier Crevoisier, 2008. "The Impact of Institutional Investors on Corporate Governance: A View of Swiss Pension Funds in a Changing Financial Environment," GRET Publications and Working Papers 12-08, GRET Group of Research in Territorial Economy, University of Neuchâtel.
    • Handle: RePEc:nct:wpaper:12-08
    DOI: 10.1179/102452908X357284
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Donald Mackenzie & Fabian Muniesa & Lucia Siu, 2007. "Do Economists Make Markets? On the Performativity of Economics," Post-Print halshs-00149145, HAL.
    2. Andreas Hackethal & Reinhard H. Schmidt & Marcel Tyrell, 2006. "The transformation of the German financial system," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 116(4), pages 431-456.
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    6. Clark, Gordon, 2000. "Pension Fund Capitalism," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199240487.
    7. Clark, Gordon L. & Wojcik, Dariusz, 2007. "The Geography of Finance: Corporate Governance in the Global Marketplace," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199213368.
    8. Thierry Theurillat & Jose Corpataux & Olivier Crevoisier, 2008. "Property Sector Financialization: The Case of Swiss Pension Funds (1992--2005)," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 189-212, December.
    9. José Corpataux & Olivier Crevoisier, 2005. "Increased Capital Mobility/Liquidity and its Repercussions at Regional Level," GRET Publications and Working Papers 10-05, GRET Group of Research in Territorial Economy, University of Neuchâtel.
    10. Clark, Gordon L., 2003. "European Pensions & Global Finance," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199253647.
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    Cited by:

    1. José Corpataux & Olivier Crevoisier & Thierry Theurillat, 2009. "The Expansion of the Finance Industry and Its Impact on the Economy: A Territorial Approach Based on Swiss Pension Funds," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 85(3), pages 313-334, July.
    2. Christian Livi & Hugues Jeannerat & Olivier Crevoisier, 2013. "Mobility of Knowledge. The Photovoltaic Industry in Western Switzerland : The Emergence of a Multi-Local Valuation Milieu," GRET Publications and Working Papers 04-13, GRET Group of Research in Territorial Economy, University of Neuchâtel.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Finance Industry; Territorial Economy; Swiss Pension Funds; Institutional Investors; Corporate Governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G0 - Financial Economics - - General
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance
    • L0 - Industrial Organization - - General
    • E0 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General
    • A1 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics

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