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Incentive and entrenchment effects in European ownership

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  • Bennedsen, Morten
  • Nielsen, Kasper Meisner
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    Abstract

    In a large sample of European firms we analyze the value discount associated with disproportional ownership structures first documented by Claessens et al. (2002). Consistent with a theoretical model of incentive and entrenchment effects, we find higher value discount in family firms, in firms with low cash flow concentration, and in industries with higher amenity value. Furthermore, the discount is higher in countries with good investor protection and higher for dual class shares than for pyramids. We find no impact on operating performance, likelihood of bankruptcy, dividend policy, or growth. Finally, we discuss policy implications of these findings.

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    Article provided by Elsevier in its journal Journal of Banking & Finance.

    Volume (Year): 34 (2010)
    Issue (Month): 9 (September)
    Pages: 2212-2229

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    Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:34:y:2010:i:9:p:2212-2229
    Contact details of provider: Web page: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbf

    Keywords: Ownership structure Dual class shares Pyramids EU company law;

    References listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Lauterbach, Beni & Yafeh, Yishay, 2011. "Long term changes in voting power and control structure following the unification of dual class shares," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 215-228, April.
    2. Bo, Hong & Huang, Zhongnan & Wang, Changyun, 2011. "Understanding seasoned equity offerings of Chinese firms," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 1143-1157, May.
    3. Hamelin, Anaïs, 2011. "Small business groups enhance performance and promote stability, not expropriation. Evidence from French SMEs," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 613-626, March.
    4. Baulkaran, Vishaal, 2014. "Management entrenchment and the valuation discount of dual class firms," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 70-81.
    5. Bennedsen, Morten & Nielsen, Kasper Meisner & Nielsen, Thomas Vester, 2012. "Private contracting and corporate governance: Evidence from the provision of tag-along rights in Brazil," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 904-918.
    6. Belot, François, 2010. "Excess control rights and corporate acquisitions," Economics Papers from University Paris Dauphine 123456789/5922, Paris Dauphine University.
    7. Di Giuli, Alberta & Caselli, Stefano & Gatti, Stefano, 2011. "Are small family firms financially sophisticated?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 2931-2944, November.
    8. Schmid, Thomas & Ampenberger, Markus & Kaserer, Christoph & Achleitner, Ann-Kristin, 2010. "Controlling shareholders and payout policy: do founding families have a special 'taste for dividends'?," CEFS Working Paper Series 2010-01, Center for Entrepreneurial and Financial Studies (CEFS), Technische Universität München.

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