Abstract

This study examines the interrelations of three monitoring mechanisms based on ownership structure and board composition. The mechanisms assessed in this study are: institutional ownership, managerial ownership and board independence. Specifically, the study looks to address the question, ‘what relationships, if any, exists in a firms use of these monitoring mechanisms?’ and ‘what association, if any, do these mechanisms have with firm performance?’ This study hypothesizes first that firms substitute between the uses of each monitoring mechanism. In addition, the study hypothesizes that firms choose the level of each monitoring mechanism in an optimal way that maximizes performance. The proposed hypotheses are developed through a theoretical explanation of each monitoring mechanisms and its ability to mitigate agency problems that arise with the diffusion of ownership in the modern corporation. The study further details the expected relationships across each mechanism and firm performance through conceptual and operational models. The study then offers an empirical test of both hypotheses, the results of which do not support the substitution hypothesis, but do support the optimal use hypothesis in regards to the three monitoring mechanisms.

Advisor

Sell, John

Department

Business Economics

Disciplines

Economics

Publication Date

2013

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2013 David Mallett