We examine the effect of board composition on the restructuring activities of a sample of 94 firms that experienced a material decline in performance. We document that firms with a majority of outside directors on the board are more likely to initiate asset restructuring and employee layoffs and...

In a typical IPO, insiders are "net sellers" of IPO shares; however, in a demutualizing thrift, insiders are "net buyers" of IPO shares. Using a sample of mutual depository IPOs, we find evidence consistent with earnings management prior to the conversion of mutual thrifts. We find on average...