Using a large sample of U.S. firms over the period, 1984 to 2013, this study examines the relation between market and book leverage ratios. Unlike Welch (2004) who contends that changes in market leverage do not induce adjustments in book leverage, we find an asymmetric effect. That is, firms...

We find that the cultural distance between the CEO and a firm’s directors increases the sensitivity of CEO turnover and compensation to performance while enhancing shareholder value. This effect is concentrated in the cultural distance between the CEO and independent directors. More culturally...

This study examines the role that CEO overconfidence plays in an explanation of international mergers and acquisitions during the period 2000-2006. Using a sample of CEOs of Fortune Global 500 firms over our sample period, we find that CEO overconfidence is related to a number of critical...

Based on a textual analysis of IPO prospectuses, we obtain a number of important findings regarding the relation between the conservatism in prospectuses, IPO pricing, and subsequent operating and stock return performance. First, prospectus conservatism is positively related to underpricing,...

This study examines how the appointment of former politicians and regulators to boards of directors or management teams influences corporate acquisition activity and performance. We find that bidders with political connections are more likely to acquire targets and avoid regulatory delay or...

This study examines the issue of whether managerial social capital, defined as aggregate benefits of social obligations and informal contacts formed through social networks, has an impact on financial development. Utilizing a large cross-country sample for the period 1999– 2012, we provide...

This study examines the effects of managerial social capital on investment sensitivity to cash flow and Q. Using a large cross-country sample of companies for the period 1999–2012 and a traditional investment-Q framework, we discover that social capital reduces a firm's dependence on...

This study examines the phenomenon of co-CEOs within publicly traded firms. Although shared executive leadership is not widespread, it occurs within some very prominent firms. We find that co-CEOs generally complement each other in terms of educational background or executive responsibilities....

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review research on litigation in corporate finance.Design/methodology/approach – This paper surveys studies on the estimation of litigation risk, litigation costs, stock reaction to lawsuit announcement, and the effect of litigation on corporate...