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Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between audit quality, with a specific focus on auditor size and audit fees, and the cost of debt and access to debt for medium-sized privately held enterprises in Sweden. Additionally, we seek to explore how family firms moderate these relationships. Theoretical perspective: This paper combines signaling theory and agency theory to theorize how Big-4 classifications of audit firms and audit fees signal audit quality and different levels of agency cost of debt to creditors. Further, it explores the moderating effect of family firms using socioemotional wealth theory alongside agency theory. Method: This study is based within the positivistic paradigm, employing a deductive approach. The study uses a quantitative methodology, gathering data from 463 medium-sized privately held enterprises in Sweden. The empirical data is analyzed using multiple linear regressions, with the moderating effects of family firms. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that firms engaging Big-4 audit firms do not experience lower costs of debt nor improved access to debt. However, audit fees demonstrate a positive relationship with both the cost of debt and access to debt. Further, the study indicates that family firms do not have a moderating effect on these relationships.

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between audit quality, with a specific focus on auditor size and audit fees, and the cost of debt and access to debt for medium-sized privately held enterprises in Sweden. Additionally, we seek to explore how family firms moderate these relationships. Theoretical perspective: This paper combines signaling theory and agency theory to theorize how Big-4 classifications of audit firms and audit fees signal audit quality and different levels of agency cost of debt to creditors. Further, it explores the moderating effect of family firms using socioemotional wealth theory alongside agency theory. Method: This study is based within the positivistic paradigm, employing a deductive approach. The study uses a quantitative methodology, gathering data from 463 medium-sized privately held enterprises in Sweden. The empirical data is analyzed using multiple linear regressions, with the moderating effects of family firms. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that firms engaging Big-4 audit firms do not experience lower costs of debt nor improved access to debt. However, audit fees demonstrate a positive relationship with both the cost of debt and access to debt. Further, the study indicates that family firms do not have a moderating effect on these relationships.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the link between debt structure and future external financing and investment, existing empirical literature suggest various features of debt structure such as maturity structure, seniority and security profile might affect firms’ future financing and investment opportunities. However, literature is vague as to which way these characteristics of debt are actually related to observed financing and investment; this is partly due to the fact that the assumptions in theoretical predictions lack in terms of channels they consider relating to debt structure and future external financing and investment. This study investigates how debt structure is associated to financing and future growth opportunities in terms of fund raising, whether debt structure of oil and gas sector of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: Dynamic analysis were used to analyze the data Findings: The results provide interesting insights, as traditional positive relationship in between short-maturity of debt external financing has revealed negative relation, which is in conflict with existing literature from agency cost but supports the rollover risk. The sector might be better off if it opts out to equity financing, which will open up new investment avenues for future financing and investment. Interestingly secured-debt does not appear to be beneficial owing to differing leveraging patterns within the sector. Implications/Originality/Value: The paper provides new insights in terms of investment and financing patterns particularly in context of maturity structure of debt.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examinethe relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance, mainly discussing the relationship between CSR and ROA, also use the agency cost as the mediating variable, using a sample of listed companies in China to conduct the study and provide relevant suggestions for the subsequent development of the company Theoretical framework: As for external social responsibility, the government, the media, the public and corporate governance should strengthen the reporting and monitoring of external social responsibility and establish a multi-governance monitoring system. Design/methodology/approach: Theresearcher used quantitative analysis to explore the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable, to reflect how the independent variable affect the dependent variable, and in turn, how to improve the financial performance of firms in China. Findings: The results showed that ccompanies should be restrained from fulfilling external social responsibility as a way of giving back to society without compensation, and should not aim to win the market through speculation or malicious collusion, otherwise it will hinder their long-term development and become a double-edged sword Research, Practical & Social implications: The study is based on heterogeneity and finds that internal social responsibility is conducive to enhancing employee motivation, maintaining the interests of shareholders and internal stakeholders such as suppliers and customers, thus providing a favourable internal environment for green technology innovation. In contrast, an excessive level of external social responsibility fulfilment can lead to companies making the maintenance of external social relations a corporate priority and viewing external social responsibility fulfilment as a tool for speculation to gain access to the market, so that in this way companies may neglect their development. Originality/value: The value of t

The aims of this research were to analyze free cash flow related theories in the non-financial sector of Pakistan namely agency theory, Pecking order theory, and static trade-off theory. Free cash flow was taken as dependent variable along with three independent variables (Tax rate, leverage, and retention). Moreover, firm’s size, growth, dividend, tangibility, profitability, and cash flow volatility were taken as controlling variables. The data were extracted from four hundred eighty-eight non-financial firms listed on PSX for the period of 20 years, i.e., 2001-2020. We used weighted least square model for analysis due to heteroscedasticity diagnosed in data set. The study found that free cash flow is negatively related to leverage and tax, while the relationship with retention is positive. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis of agency theory, trade-off theory, and pecking order theory. This study is of paramount significance in comprehending the intricacies of free cash flow theories within the non-financial sector of Pakistan. The findings derived from this analysis have the potential to make substantial contributions to the enhancement of strategic financial management practices.

The aims of this research were to analyze free cash flow related theories in the non-financial sector of Pakistan namely agency theory, Pecking order theory, and static trade-off theory. Free cash flow was taken as dependent variable along with three independent variables (Tax rate, leverage, and retention). Moreover, firm’s size, growth, dividend, tangibility, profitability, and cash flow volatility were taken as controlling variables. The data were extracted from four hundred eighty-eight non-financial firms listed on PSX for the period of 20 years, i.e., 2001-2020. We used weighted least square model for analysis due to heteroscedasticity diagnosed in data set. The study found that free cash flow is negatively related to leverage and tax, while the relationship with retention is positive. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis of agency theory, trade-off theory, and pecking order theory. This study is of paramount significance in comprehending the intricacies of free cash flow theories within the non-financial sector of Pakistan. The findings derived from this analysis have the potential to make substantial contributions to the enhancement of strategic financial management practices.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the link between debt structure and future external financing and investment, existing empirical literature suggest various features of debt structure such as maturity structure, seniority and security profile might affect firms’ future financing and investment opportunities. However, literature is vague as to which way these characteristics of debt are actually related to observed financing and investment; this is partly due to the fact that the assumptions in theoretical predictions lack in terms of channels they consider relating to debt structure and future external financing and investment. This study investigates how debt structure is associated to financing and future growth opportunities in terms of fund raising, whether debt structure of oil and gas sector of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: Dynamic analysis were used to analyze the data Findings: The results provide interesting insights, as traditional positive relationship in between short-maturity of debt external financing has revealed negative relation, which is in conflict with existing literature from agency cost but supports the rollover risk. The sector might be better off if it opts out to equity financing, which will open up new investment avenues for future financing and investment. Interestingly secured-debt does not appear to be beneficial owing to differing leveraging patterns within the sector. Implications/Originality/Value: The paper provides new insights in terms of investment and financing patterns particularly in context of maturity structure of debt.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the link between debt structure and future external financing and investment, existing empirical literature suggest various features of debt structure such as maturity structure, seniority and security profile might affect firms’ future financing and investment opportunities. However, literature is vague as to which way these characteristics of debt are actually related to observed financing and investment; this is partly due to the fact that the assumptions in theoretical predictions lack in terms of channels they consider relating to debt structure and future external financing and investment. This study investigates how debt structure is associated to financing and future growth opportunities in terms of fund raising, whether debt structure of oil and gas sector of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: Dynamic analysis were used to analyze the data Findings: The results provide interesting insights, as traditional positive relationship in between short-maturity of debt external financing has revealed negative relation, which is in conflict with existing literature from agency cost but supports the rollover risk. The sector might be better off if it opts out to equity financing, which will open up new investment avenues for future financing and investment. Interestingly secured-debt does not appear to be beneficial owing to differing leveraging patterns within the sector. Implications/Originality/Value: The paper provides new insights in terms of investment and financing patterns particularly in context of maturity structure of debt.

Purpose- This study aims to determine the relationship between free cash flow and investment efficiency of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Design- An accounting-based model developed by Richardson (2006) was employed to measure investment efficiency and free cash flow. The population of the study consist of all the listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Similarly, the purposive sampling technique was employed to arrive at forty-eight companies for 2008-2018. Findings- The results of the study confirm the agency theory of free cash flow. Hence, it established that there is a positive and robust relationship between free cash flow and overinvestment. Practical Implications- the findings of this study has practical implications to various group of users of financial information such as investors, policymakers and other stakeholders in the listed manufacturing sector in Nigeria. The study recommends that policymakers reduce the cost of debt, and likewise, managers should emphasize the facilitation of equity capital. Originality- To the best of the researcher's knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between free cash flow and investment efficiency in Nigeria.

Purpose- This study aims to determine the relationship between free cash flow and investment efficiency of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Design- An accounting-based model developed by Richardson (2006) was employed to measure investment efficiency and free cash flow. The population of the study consist of all the listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Similarly, the purposive sampling technique was employed to arrive at forty-eight companies for 2008-2018. Findings- The results of the study confirm the agency theory of free cash flow. Hence, it established that there is a positive and robust relationship between free cash flow and overinvestment. Practical Implications- the findings of this study has practical implications to various group of users of financial information such as investors, policymakers and other stakeholders in the listed manufacturing sector in Nigeria. The study recommends that policymakers reduce the cost of debt, and likewise, managers should emphasize the facilitation of equity capital. Originality- To the best of the researcher's knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between free cash flow and investment efficiency in Nigeria.

This study aims to examine the factors that affect investment in manufacturing companies in Indonesia by using 3 variables consisting of 1 independent variable that is cash flow, 1 moderation variable that is CSR and 1 mediation variable that is agency cost. The population in this study is a manufacturing company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) during the period 2011-2016 which amounted to 149 companies. The sample used in this study amounted to 41 companies selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using classical assumption test, simple regression analysis and regression analysis with moderating mediating (modmed) variable SPSS 23. The results showed that cash flow has no effect on investment, CSR proved to be a moderate variable of the relationship between cash flow to investment and agency costs able to mediate the moderate effects of CSR. The conclusion of this research is that cash flow can not be a factor affecting investment, CSR can be a moderating variable strengthening the relationship between cash flow to investment and agency cost can be a mediation variable of moderation effect of CSR., Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi pada perusahaan manufaktur di Indonesia dengan menggunakan 3 variabel yang terdiri dari 1 variabel independen yaitu arus kas, 1 variabel moderasi yaitu CSR dan 1 variabel mediasi yaitu biaya agensi. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) selama periode 2011-2016 yang berjumlah 149 perusahaan. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 41 perusahaan yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi sederhana dan analisis regresi dengan variabel moderating mediating (modmed) SPSS 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa arus kas tidak berpengaruh terhadap investasi, CSR terbukti menjadi variabel moderasi hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi mampu memediasi efek moderat CSR. Simpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu arus kas tidak dapat menjadi faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi, CSR dapat menjadi variabel moderasi yang memperkuat hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi dapat menjadi variabel mediasi efek moderasi CSR. &nbsp

This study aims to examine the factors that affect investment in manufacturing companies in Indonesia by using 3 variables consisting of 1 independent variable that is cash flow, 1 moderation variable that is CSR and 1 mediation variable that is agency cost. The population in this study is a manufacturing company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) during the period 2011-2016 which amounted to 149 companies. The sample used in this study amounted to 41 companies selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using classical assumption test, simple regression analysis and regression analysis with moderating mediating (modmed) variable SPSS 23. The results showed that cash flow has no effect on investment, CSR proved to be a moderate variable of the relationship between cash flow to investment and agency costs able to mediate the moderate effects of CSR. The conclusion of this research is that cash flow can not be a factor affecting investment, CSR can be a moderating variable strengthening the relationship between cash flow to investment and agency cost can be a mediation variable of moderation effect of CSR., Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi pada perusahaan manufaktur di Indonesia dengan menggunakan 3 variabel yang terdiri dari 1 variabel independen yaitu arus kas, 1 variabel moderasi yaitu CSR dan 1 variabel mediasi yaitu biaya agensi. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) selama periode 2011-2016 yang berjumlah 149 perusahaan. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 41 perusahaan yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi sederhana dan analisis regresi dengan variabel moderating mediating (modmed) SPSS 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa arus kas tidak berpengaruh terhadap investasi, CSR terbukti menjadi variabel moderasi hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi mampu memediasi efek moderat CSR. Simpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu arus kas tidak dapat menjadi faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi, CSR dapat menjadi variabel moderasi yang memperkuat hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi dapat menjadi variabel mediasi efek moderasi CSR. &nbsp

In the past decades, many single carriageway roads in Sweden have been converted to collision-free roads as a cost-effective alternative to conventional motorways. Investigations have concluded that the road type has been successful in reducing the number of fatal accidents, despite increased operation and maintenance costs. In recent years, the focus has shifted to converting narrower roads, which are anticipated to further increase pavement rehabilitation cost but also complicate traffic management during road works. This paper first examines the consequences in terms of road agency and road user costs; second, the possibilities to influence future costs by design alternatives. A life cycle cost analysis was employed to study future costs. The analysis indicated significant increase in life cycle cost compared to a single carriageway road. The analysis of design alternatives also indicated that future agency and road user cost can be substantially improved by finding an optimal alternative., QC 20160119

Tidigare finanskriser har resulterat i ett större fokus på bankers risktagande. Kriserna har påvisat hur bankers kris kan få förödande effekt på den globala marknaden vilket har föranlett olika konsekvenser (bland annat i form av nya regelverk) för att hantera bankers tendens mot ett för högt risktagande. Bankers inställning till risktagande kan förklaras utifrån dess ägarstruktur där ägarna kan ha olika riskpreferenser. Forskningsstudier har påvisat att ett samband existerar mellan ägarkoncentration och bankers risk, dock utan någon konsensus om sambandets utseende. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur ägarstruktur påverkar bankers konkursrisk, där banker inom EU-länder har undersökts. Vidare har karaktären på bankernas största aktieägare tagits i beaktning för att se om sambandet mellan ägarkoncentration och risk skiljer sig beroende på vilka ägare bankerna utgörs av. Därtill har sex hypoteser formulerats som syftar till att undersöka relationen mellan ägarstruktur, agentkostnader och konkursrisk utifrån agentteorin och teorier om bolagsstyrning. För studiens undersökning har en kvantitativ metod använts tillsammans med en deduktiv ansats. Undersökningen visar, likt andra studier, att det existerar ett samband mellan ägarstruktur och bankers risk. Mer specifikt visar vår studie att sambandet ser olika ut för olika ägartyper. För vissa ägartyper har vi identifierat ett positivt samband mellan ägarkoncentrationen och bankers konkursrisk medan för andra ägartyper har vi istället identifierat ett negativt samband. Avslutningsvis visar studien att agentkostnader föreligger i större grad när aktieägarna har mindre kontroll över ledningen., Previous financial crises have resulted in a greater focus on bank’s risk taking. The crises have shown how the bank’s instability may create a devastating effect on the global market, which has given rise to several studies focus on bank’s risk. Bank’s attitude towards risk taking can be explained by its ownership structure where the owners may have different risk preferences. Research studies have found a relationship between the concentration of ownership and bank risk, but without any consensus on the sign of the relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate how ownership concentration affects bank’s default risk. The study has been performed on banks within the EU countries. Furthermore, the nature of the bank’s largest shareholders has been taken into consideration to distinguish whether they have an impact on the relationship between ownership concentration and risk. In addition, six hypotheses were formulated which aim to investigate the relationship between ownership concentration, agency costs and the default risk, based on the agency theory and theories on corporate governance. For this study’s survey a quantitative method has been used in conjunction with a deductive approach. Our findings show that there exists a relationship between ownership concentration and bank risk. More specifically, our study shows that the relationship is different depending on the nature of the owner. For some types of owners, we have identified a positive relationship between ownership concentration and bank’s default risk, while for other types of owners we have instead identified a negative relationship. Finally, this study shows that agency costs are greater when shareholders perform a lower degree of monitoring of the management.

Islamic structured bonds or sukuk have become a mainstream alternative source of financing for corporations. Linking the market institution and corporate finance theory, this thesis examines the business motivation and pricing of sukuk issuance using a sample of Malaysian issuers. The results show that sukuk are superior to conventional bonds in dealing with managerial opportunistic behavior. Further, certification by Islamic finance advisors, Islamic financial institutions, and reputable investment banks is valued by investors, reducing the risk premium demanded.

Tidigare finanskriser har resulterat i ett större fokus på bankers risktagande. Kriserna har påvisat hur bankers kris kan få förödande effekt på den globala marknaden vilket har föranlett olika konsekvenser (bland annat i form av nya regelverk) för att hantera bankers tendens mot ett för högt risktagande. Bankers inställning till risktagande kan förklaras utifrån dess ägarstruktur där ägarna kan ha olika riskpreferenser. Forskningsstudier har påvisat att ett samband existerar mellan ägarkoncentration och bankers risk, dock utan någon konsensus om sambandets utseende. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur ägarstruktur påverkar bankers konkursrisk, där banker inom EU-länder har undersökts. Vidare har karaktären på bankernas största aktieägare tagits i beaktning för att se om sambandet mellan ägarkoncentration och risk skiljer sig beroende på vilka ägare bankerna utgörs av. Därtill har sex hypoteser formulerats som syftar till att undersöka relationen mellan ägarstruktur, agentkostnader och konkursrisk utifrån agentteorin och teorier om bolagsstyrning. För studiens undersökning har en kvantitativ metod använts tillsammans med en deduktiv ansats. Undersökningen visar, likt andra studier, att det existerar ett samband mellan ägarstruktur och bankers risk. Mer specifikt visar vår studie att sambandet ser olika ut för olika ägartyper. För vissa ägartyper har vi identifierat ett positivt samband mellan ägarkoncentrationen och bankers konkursrisk medan för andra ägartyper har vi istället identifierat ett negativt samband. Avslutningsvis visar studien att agentkostnader föreligger i större grad när aktieägarna har mindre kontroll över ledningen., Previous financial crises have resulted in a greater focus on bank’s risk taking. The crises have shown how the bank’s instability may create a devastating effect on the global market, which has given rise to several studies focus on bank’s risk. Bank’s attitude towards risk taking can be explained by its ownership structure where the owners may have different risk preferences. Research studies have found a relationship between the concentration of ownership and bank risk, but without any consensus on the sign of the relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate how ownership concentration affects bank’s default risk. The study has been performed on banks within the EU countries. Furthermore, the nature of the bank’s largest shareholders has been taken into consideration to distinguish whether they have an impact on the relationship between ownership concentration and risk. In addition, six hypotheses were formulated which aim to investigate the relationship between ownership concentration, agency costs and the default risk, based on the agency theory and theories on corporate governance. For this study’s survey a quantitative method has been used in conjunction with a deductive approach. Our findings show that there exists a relationship between ownership concentration and bank risk. More specifically, our study shows that the relationship is different depending on the nature of the owner. For some types of owners, we have identified a positive relationship between ownership concentration and bank’s default risk, while for other types of owners we have instead identified a negative relationship. Finally, this study shows that agency costs are greater when shareholders perform a lower degree of monitoring of the management.

This dissertation provides a novel theory of securitization based on intermediaries minimizing the moral hazard that insiders can misuse assets held on-balance sheet. The model predicts how intermediaries finance different assets. Under deposit funding, the moral hazard is greatest for low-risk assets that yield sizable returns in bad states of nature; under securitization, it is greatest for high-risk assets that require high guarantees and large reserves. Intermediaries thus securitize low-risk assets. In an extension, I identify a novel channel through which government bailouts exacerbate the moral hazard and reduce total investment irrespective of the funding mode. This adverse effect is stronger under deposit funding, implying that intermediaries finance more risky assets off-balance sheet. The dissertation discusses the implications of different forms of guarantees. With explicit guarantees, banks securitize assets with either low information-intensity or low risk. By contrast, with implicit guarantees, banks only securitize assets with high information-intensity and low risk. Two extensions to the benchmark static and dynamic models are discussed. First, an extension to the static model studies the optimality of tranching versus securitization with guarantees. Tranching eliminates agency costs but worsens adverse selection, while securitization with guarantees does the opposite. When the quality of underlying assets in a certain security market is sufficiently heterogeneous, and when the highest quality assets are perceived to be sufficiently safe, securitization with guarantees dominates tranching. Second, in an extension to the dynamic setting, the moral hazard of misusing assets held on-balance sheet naturally gives rise to the moral hazard of weak ex-post monitoring in securitization. The use of guarantees reduces the dependence of banks' ex-post payoffs on monitoring efforts, thereby weakening monitoring incentives. The incentive to monitor under securit

Denna studie behandlar nedskrivning av goodwill i svenska börsnoterade företag, och beaktar fyra möjliga förklaringar till detta. Relevant regelverk för den finansiella rapporteringen är IFRS. Genom en kvantitativ metod och ett deduktivt angreppssätt uppmärksammar vi problematiken kring att forskningen genererat olika förklaringar till att en nedskrivning äger rum. Studien omfattar 1260 observationer i form av räkenskapsår, som sträcker sig mellan åren 2006 till 2013. Vårt empiriska material är inhämtat via databaser och omfattar finansiell information för vart och ett av företagen, fördelat på de olika åren. Nedskrivningskostnaden för goodwill är manuellt insamlat från de företag där goodwill som tillgångspost minskat från år t-1 till år t. Från vårt teoretiska ramverk deduceras hypoteser som tillhandahåller eventuella orsaker till varför en nedskrivning kan ha ägt rum. Studien undersöker inledningsvis om en nedskrivning kan härledas till rådande företagsekonomiska förhållanden, där vedertagna undersökningsmått baserat på nyckeltal beräknade från årsredovisningar används. Vidare undersöks om nedskrivning av goodwill kan kopplas till resultatmanipulerande åtgärder genom stålbad eller vinstutjämning. Dessa kompententer i studien undersöks utifrån befintlig metodik tillhandahållen genom likartad forskning, men som utförts på andra geografiska marknader. Slutligen testas även, baserat på en egenhändigt framtagen operationalisering, finanskrisens inverkan på nedskrivning av goodwill. Vår studies statistiska moment innehåller binära regressionsanalyser som med ett antal förklarande variabler prövar vad som kan förklara om en nedskrivning äger rum eller inte, samt en multipel regression som söker determinanter för nedskrivningens storlek. Studiens resultat påvisar ett signifikant negativt samband mellan nedskrivning av goodwill och räntabilitet på totala tillgångar, vilket implicerar att bolag med sämre avkastning mer sannolikt kan komma att utföra en nedskrivning

Investment in hospitality firms is perceived to be riskier than investments in other types of industries. Based on literature linking good corporate governance to lower default risks and higher credit ratings, this quantitative study is designed to identify the effects of corporate governance on credit ratings in the hospitality industry. After exploring the various factors influencing the characteristics of corporate governance, as well as the specific risks for capital financing in hospitality firms, this research provides empirical evidence to show that hospitality firms with stronger shareholder influence tend to have higher credit ratings. In a related finding, this investigation confirms that hospitality stakeholders are able to evaluate their potential risks by determining a firm's credit ratings and can protect their long-term interest by increasing their power versus management in the corporate governance of the firm.

Purpose: To empirically investigate whether income smoothing creates or destroys value after the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which has tremendously changed the legal environment of income smoothing. We compare our results with pre-SOX research to conclude whether and how legislation change has affected the perception of income smoothing. Further, we make recommendations based on our research how managers should approach income smoothing. Methodology: We use three income smoothing measures (corr(PME, DA), corr (TACC, CFO), earnings volatility / cash flow volatility) to detect managers’ actions to dampen the volatility of earnings. We regress them on stock return and as control variables we use the Fama French five factor model that explains stock returns. We control for industry, the 2008 financial crisis and earnings yield as well. Empirical foundation: We collect annual data from 2004-2012 for all US nonfinancial companies from the Standard & Poor’s capital IQ data base that do not have missing observations. Our balanced panel data consists of 1.882 companies and 13.174 firm-year observations. Conclusions: Based on our results, income smoothing creates value in contrast with pre-SOX research. Our primary explanation is that SOX has changed the legal environment, in which managers are demotivated to act opportunistically. Investors regained their trust in financial reporting and do not consider managers’ actions delusive. This explanation induces managers to discontinue the application of real income smoothing and return to accrual-based income smoothing. Another possible explanation is that the effect of income smoothing is determined by market uncertainty. Under high market uncertainty accrual-based income smoothing garbles information and thus destroys firm value whereas under low market uncertainty it boosts firm value. Managers should refrain from accrual-based income smoothing if market uncertainty is high, but they ought to use accrual-based income s

Investment in hospitality firms is perceived to be riskier than investments in other types of industries. Based on literature linking good corporate governance to lower default risks and higher credit ratings, this quantitative study is designed to identify the effects of corporate governance on credit ratings in the hospitality industry. After exploring the various factors influencing the characteristics of corporate governance, as well as the specific risks for capital financing in hospitality firms, this research provides empirical evidence to show that hospitality firms with stronger shareholder influence tend to have higher credit ratings. In a related finding, this investigation confirms that hospitality stakeholders are able to evaluate their potential risks by determining a firm's credit ratings and can protect their long-term interest by increasing their power versus management in the corporate governance of the firm.

Purpose: To empirically investigate whether income smoothing creates or destroys value after the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which has tremendously changed the legal environment of income smoothing. We compare our results with pre-SOX research to conclude whether and how legislation change has affected the perception of income smoothing. Further, we make recommendations based on our research how managers should approach income smoothing. Methodology: We use three income smoothing measures (corr(PME, DA), corr (TACC, CFO), earnings volatility / cash flow volatility) to detect managers’ actions to dampen the volatility of earnings. We regress them on stock return and as control variables we use the Fama French five factor model that explains stock returns. We control for industry, the 2008 financial crisis and earnings yield as well. Empirical foundation: We collect annual data from 2004-2012 for all US nonfinancial companies from the Standard & Poor’s capital IQ data base that do not have missing observations. Our balanced panel data consists of 1.882 companies and 13.174 firm-year observations. Conclusions: Based on our results, income smoothing creates value in contrast with pre-SOX research. Our primary explanation is that SOX has changed the legal environment, in which managers are demotivated to act opportunistically. Investors regained their trust in financial reporting and do not consider managers’ actions delusive. This explanation induces managers to discontinue the application of real income smoothing and return to accrual-based income smoothing. Another possible explanation is that the effect of income smoothing is determined by market uncertainty. Under high market uncertainty accrual-based income smoothing garbles information and thus destroys firm value whereas under low market uncertainty it boosts firm value. Managers should refrain from accrual-based income smoothing if market uncertainty is high, but they ought to use accrual-based income s

Denna studie behandlar nedskrivning av goodwill i svenska börsnoterade företag, och beaktar fyra möjliga förklaringar till detta. Relevant regelverk för den finansiella rapporteringen är IFRS. Genom en kvantitativ metod och ett deduktivt angreppssätt uppmärksammar vi problematiken kring att forskningen genererat olika förklaringar till att en nedskrivning äger rum. Studien omfattar 1260 observationer i form av räkenskapsår, som sträcker sig mellan åren 2006 till 2013. Vårt empiriska material är inhämtat via databaser och omfattar finansiell information för vart och ett av företagen, fördelat på de olika åren. Nedskrivningskostnaden för goodwill är manuellt insamlat från de företag där goodwill som tillgångspost minskat från år t-1 till år t. Från vårt teoretiska ramverk deduceras hypoteser som tillhandahåller eventuella orsaker till varför en nedskrivning kan ha ägt rum. Studien undersöker inledningsvis om en nedskrivning kan härledas till rådande företagsekonomiska förhållanden, där vedertagna undersökningsmått baserat på nyckeltal beräknade från årsredovisningar används. Vidare undersöks om nedskrivning av goodwill kan kopplas till resultatmanipulerande åtgärder genom stålbad eller vinstutjämning. Dessa kompententer i studien undersöks utifrån befintlig metodik tillhandahållen genom likartad forskning, men som utförts på andra geografiska marknader. Slutligen testas även, baserat på en egenhändigt framtagen operationalisering, finanskrisens inverkan på nedskrivning av goodwill. Vår studies statistiska moment innehåller binära regressionsanalyser som med ett antal förklarande variabler prövar vad som kan förklara om en nedskrivning äger rum eller inte, samt en multipel regression som söker determinanter för nedskrivningens storlek. Studiens resultat påvisar ett signifikant negativt samband mellan nedskrivning av goodwill och räntabilitet på totala tillgångar, vilket implicerar att bolag med sämre avkastning mer sannolikt kan komma att utföra en nedskrivning

Investment in hospitality firms is perceived to be riskier than investments in other types of industries. Based on literature linking good corporate governance to lower default risks and higher credit ratings, this quantitative study is designed to identify the effects of corporate governance on credit ratings in the hospitality industry. After exploring the various factors influencing the characteristics of corporate governance, as well as the specific risks for capital financing in hospitality firms, this research provides empirical evidence to show that hospitality firms with stronger shareholder influence tend to have higher credit ratings. In a related finding, this investigation confirms that hospitality stakeholders are able to evaluate their potential risks by determining a firm's credit ratings and can protect their long-term interest by increasing their power versus management in the corporate governance of the firm.

I study the relationship between debt maturity and agency conflicts between controlling and minority shareholders in unlisted firms. Exploiting cross-province variance in the development of local credit markets, I find that the monitoring effect of short-term bank debt is more effective in firms with less concentrated ownership structures.

Dizertační práce se zabývá rozhodováním managementu o použití zisku na výplatu dividend. Hlavním cílem práce je identifikovat faktory, které mají zásadní vliv na rozhodování managementu o použití zisku na dividendy a vytvořit komplexní matematický model pro predikování výplaty dividendy. Jedním z dílčích cílů je zhodnotit současný stav dividendové teorie a přehledným způsobem syntetizovat existující přístupy. K vlastnímu výzkumu jsou použita jak primární data získaná dotazníkovým šetřením, tak sekundárná data získaná z finančních výkazu zkoumaných společností. Na základě toho jsou identifikovány faktory, které mají v podmínkách České republiky zásadní vliv na rozhodování o výplatě dividend a je navržen a validován logistický model. Dále v práci jsou konfrontovány nové poznatky získané v rámci řešení dizertační práce s již provedeným a publikovaným výzkumem jiného autora mezi společnostmi ve stejném odvětví., Doctoral thesis deals with management decisions on using profit to pay dividends. The main aim of the work is to identify factors that have a major influence on management decisions on using profit to pay dividends and to develop a comprehensive mathematical model for predicting the payment of dividends. One of the partial aims is to assess the current state of the dividend theory and to synthesize existing approaches by transparent manner. As primary data obtained from a questionnaire survey and secondary data obtained from the financial statements of surveyed companies are used for the research. Based on that, factors that have in the Czech Republic a major influence on decision to pay a dividend, are identified and the logistic model is developed and validated. New knowledge obtained in the framework of the doctoral thesis is also confronted with other research among companies in the same industry, which has been carried out and published by other author., Ústav ekonomických věd, Disertační práce splnila vytýčený cíl a poskytuje kvalitní základ pro další vědecký výzkum. Navržený model je funkční, přínosem je také rozsáhlá rešerše literatury a provedený výzkum.

Along with the development of cloud computing technology, website owners begin to consider migrating their website from private in-house server to public cloud servers. In this paper, we use a principal-agent model to analyze the underlying economic trade-offs of such migration and then extend it into a dynamic environment. Our results indicate that the trade-off between market information precision and rent extraction affects the decision choice between private server and public cloud in the short run; in the long run, the rent extraction effect diminishes and the demand for public cloud increases. In a long run equilibrium, private servers exist but are constrained to a comparatively low level.

Along with the development of cloud computing technology, website owners begin to consider migrating their website from private in-house server to public cloud servers. In this paper, we use a principal-agent model to analyze the underlying economic trade-offs of such migration and then extend it into a dynamic environment. Our results indicate that the trade-off between market information precision and rent extraction affects the decision choice between private server and public cloud in the short run; in the long run, the rent extraction effect diminishes and the demand for public cloud increases. In a long run equilibrium, private servers exist but are constrained to a comparatively low level.

Along with the development of cloud computing technology, website owners begin to consider migrating their website from private in-house server to public cloud servers. In this paper, we use a principal-agent model to analyze the underlying economic trade-offs of such migration and then extend it into a dynamic environment. Our results indicate that the trade-off between market information precision and rent extraction affects the decision choice between private server and public cloud in the short run; in the long run, the rent extraction effect diminishes and the demand for public cloud increases. In a long run equilibrium, private servers exist but are constrained to a comparatively low level.

Banking as a financial institution and a business has gone beyond providing banking servicesand making profits for the proprietors to assume macro positions like involving in activitiesthat propel an entire economy. This has earned the interest of national governments and thesociety as well as the international community as a whole inciting a need for supervision inorder to ensure sustainability.Banks as corporate organizations with the above stipulated stake holders and management arein a constant tog of war with each stakeholder seeking to protect its own kind which hasdegenerated to a vice often known in corporate governance as agency cost or principal-agentconflict. In corporate governance there is a board of directors that is designed to align theshareholders interest and management interest in order to check this agency cost.In our thesis we have expatiated widely on the concept of corporate governance, board ofdirectors and its composition. We have isolated gender diversity, which is one of thecompositions of the board to find out how it contributes to control agency cost by establishingits effect on ROE, which is a firm performance indicator. We introduced control variables tocheck our results.We collected data from the annual reports of Nordea, Swedbank, Handelsbanken and SEB,which are the listed banks in the OMX NASDAQ exchange Stockholm for period 2001 to2010. The board characteristic we used is the proportion of females in the entire board and thefirm performance indicator we chose is ROE. We carried out a longitudinal study for thewhole industry and for individual firms in the industry over the ten-year period.We have variation in the results over the different firms and in the industry but there is nosignificant relationship. We concluded that the proportion of females in the board rooms doesnot necessarily affect firm performance as viewed with the use of ROE but other factorstogether with gender proportion exert a combined effect and these other fact

Banking as a financial institution and a business has gone beyond providing banking servicesand making profits for the proprietors to assume macro positions like involving in activitiesthat propel an entire economy. This has earned the interest of national governments and thesociety as well as the international community as a whole inciting a need for supervision inorder to ensure sustainability.Banks as corporate organizations with the above stipulated stake holders and management arein a constant tog of war with each stakeholder seeking to protect its own kind which hasdegenerated to a vice often known in corporate governance as agency cost or principal-agentconflict. In corporate governance there is a board of directors that is designed to align theshareholders interest and management interest in order to check this agency cost.In our thesis we have expatiated widely on the concept of corporate governance, board ofdirectors and its composition. We have isolated gender diversity, which is one of thecompositions of the board to find out how it contributes to control agency cost by establishingits effect on ROE, which is a firm performance indicator. We introduced control variables tocheck our results.We collected data from the annual reports of Nordea, Swedbank, Handelsbanken and SEB,which are the listed banks in the OMX NASDAQ exchange Stockholm for period 2001 to2010. The board characteristic we used is the proportion of females in the entire board and thefirm performance indicator we chose is ROE. We carried out a longitudinal study for thewhole industry and for individual firms in the industry over the ten-year period.We have variation in the results over the different firms and in the industry but there is nosignificant relationship. We concluded that the proportion of females in the board rooms doesnot necessarily affect firm performance as viewed with the use of ROE but other factorstogether with gender proportion exert a combined effect and these other fact

Background and problem: This paper illuminates the problem with temptation of earnings management. However, there are particular disadvantages when companies use this technique because it creates an information asymmetry at the stock market. Problem of earnings management is although not a new phenomenon there issue is the quality of financial reporting. The development is concerning, since recently the performance of financial report has a negative trend, a trend that could harm the financial world. If a company does not provide meaningful information the fundamentals of capital market lose confidence. Purpose: This study has two purposes. The first purpose is to evaluate the ability of various discretionary accruals model at Stockholm Exchange Market. The second purpose is concerning a new model in purpose to understand and reveal earnings management. Boundaries: Data contains only business corporations at large cap and operate at the Stockholm Stock Exchange market. Furthermore is this research based on a time series data from year 2000 – 2009 and cross section data from year 2009. Method: The approach of the methodology are inspired of prior earnings management research, as Healy (1985), DeAngelo (1986) and Jones (1991) which have relied on discretionary accruals to detect earnings management. Conclusion: The result indicates that the Jones modified model is the most powerful models to explain earnings management, which also is consistent with prior studies. The result from the extended Jones modified model indicates no improvement, concerning on revealing earnings management. Further, the results confirm that the null hypothesis can be rejected at 1% significant level but the F-value fall drastically compare to Jones modified model. Suggestions for further research: One suggestion is that more research should be conducted in order to develop accounting policies aimed at limiting the application of earnings management. Alternatively, future research should base, Bakgrund och problem: Den här studien undersöker resultatstyrning, då det finns både fördelar och nackdelar med att tillämpa denna metod. Problemet med resultatstyrning är dock inte ett nytt fenomen, där tidigare studier visar att kvalitet på den finansiella rapporteringen kan ifrågasättas. Företagens årsredovisning skall speglar en rättvisande bild av verksamheten och således är utvecklingen oroväckande eftersom trovärdigheten för den finansiella rapporteringen har fått en negativ trend, en trend som kan skada den finansiella marknaden. Syfte: Den här studien utvärdera och jämföra hur befintliga disketionära modeller förhåller sig på Stockholmsbörsen. Dessutom utvecklas en förbättringsmodell. En model med förklaringsvariabler som ger ett nytt och/eller annorlunda perspektiv på fenomenet. Avgränsningar: Undersökningen omfattar endast företag som är registrerad på large cap och verkar på Stockholmsbörsen. Data som används i studien är dels en tidsserie data från år 2000-2009 och dels tvärsnittsdata från år 2009. Metod: Den här undersökningen tillämpar liknande metoder som tidigare studier, beträffande resultatstyrning såsom Healy (1985), DeAngelo (1986) och Jones (1991) där de definierar diskretionär avsättning som vinstmanipulering. Slutsats: Resultaten visar att Jones modified model förklara och upptäcker resultatstyrning på ett bättre sätt än de andra modellerna. Denna slutsats överrensstämmer med tidigare studier. Resultaten från den utökande Jones modified model visar inte några förbättringar. Dock förkastar den noll hypotesen på 1 % signifikansnivå men F-värdet sjunker kraftigt jämförelsevis mot Jones modified model. Förslag till vidare forskning: Ett förslag är att framtida forskning bör bedrivas i syfte för att utveckla redovisningsprinciper som begränsar resultatstyrning. Alternativt förslag är att samla in data som mäter resultatstyrning på en djupare nivå, dock är det problematiskt med dagens

This thesis analyses changes in operating performance for a sample of 110 Swedish buyouts from 2001 through 2008 based on measures of profitability, working capital management and employee management. Furthermore, regression models have been made in cases where we have significant differences between our sample and peer groups to test the correlation between company size and operational performance.

This thesis analyses changes in operating performance for a sample of 110 Swedish buyouts from 2001 through 2008 based on measures of profitability, working capital management and employee management. Furthermore, regression models have been made in cases where we have significant differences between our sample and peer groups to test the correlation between company size and operational performance.

Background and problem: This paper illuminates the problem with temptation of earnings management. However, there are particular disadvantages when companies use this technique because it creates an information asymmetry at the stock market. Problem of earnings management is although not a new phenomenon there issue is the quality of financial reporting. The development is concerning, since recently the performance of financial report has a negative trend, a trend that could harm the financial world. If a company does not provide meaningful information the fundamentals of capital market lose confidence. Purpose: This study has two purposes. The first purpose is to evaluate the ability of various discretionary accruals model at Stockholm Exchange Market. The second purpose is concerning a new model in purpose to understand and reveal earnings management. Boundaries: Data contains only business corporations at large cap and operate at the Stockholm Stock Exchange market. Furthermore is this research based on a time series data from year 2000 – 2009 and cross section data from year 2009. Method: The approach of the methodology are inspired of prior earnings management research, as Healy (1985), DeAngelo (1986) and Jones (1991) which have relied on discretionary accruals to detect earnings management. Conclusion: The result indicates that the Jones modified model is the most powerful models to explain earnings management, which also is consistent with prior studies. The result from the extended Jones modified model indicates no improvement, concerning on revealing earnings management. Further, the results confirm that the null hypothesis can be rejected at 1% significant level but the F-value fall drastically compare to Jones modified model. Suggestions for further research: One suggestion is that more research should be conducted in order to develop accounting policies aimed at limiting the application of earnings management. Alternatively, future research should base, Bakgrund och problem: Den här studien undersöker resultatstyrning, då det finns både fördelar och nackdelar med att tillämpa denna metod. Problemet med resultatstyrning är dock inte ett nytt fenomen, där tidigare studier visar att kvalitet på den finansiella rapporteringen kan ifrågasättas. Företagens årsredovisning skall speglar en rättvisande bild av verksamheten och således är utvecklingen oroväckande eftersom trovärdigheten för den finansiella rapporteringen har fått en negativ trend, en trend som kan skada den finansiella marknaden. Syfte: Den här studien utvärdera och jämföra hur befintliga disketionära modeller förhåller sig på Stockholmsbörsen. Dessutom utvecklas en förbättringsmodell. En model med förklaringsvariabler som ger ett nytt och/eller annorlunda perspektiv på fenomenet. Avgränsningar: Undersökningen omfattar endast företag som är registrerad på large cap och verkar på Stockholmsbörsen. Data som används i studien är dels en tidsserie data från år 2000-2009 och dels tvärsnittsdata från år 2009. Metod: Den här undersökningen tillämpar liknande metoder som tidigare studier, beträffande resultatstyrning såsom Healy (1985), DeAngelo (1986) och Jones (1991) där de definierar diskretionär avsättning som vinstmanipulering. Slutsats: Resultaten visar att Jones modified model förklara och upptäcker resultatstyrning på ett bättre sätt än de andra modellerna. Denna slutsats överrensstämmer med tidigare studier. Resultaten från den utökande Jones modified model visar inte några förbättringar. Dock förkastar den noll hypotesen på 1 % signifikansnivå men F-värdet sjunker kraftigt jämförelsevis mot Jones modified model. Förslag till vidare forskning: Ett förslag är att framtida forskning bör bedrivas i syfte för att utveckla redovisningsprinciper som begränsar resultatstyrning. Alternativt förslag är att samla in data som mäter resultatstyrning på en djupare nivå, dock är det problematiskt med dagens

Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att undersöka i vilken utsträckning företag på Stockholmsbörsen följer IAS 36 p. 134, vilket behandlar nedskrivningsprövning av goodwill. Även vilka faktorer som påverkar denna informationsutgivning analyseras., The purpose of the thesis is to investigate to which extent companies on the Stockholm stock exchange comply with IAS 36 p. 134, and which factors that may affect the compliance with IAS 36 p. 134.

Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att undersöka i vilken utsträckning företag på Stockholmsbörsen följer IAS 36 p. 134, vilket behandlar nedskrivningsprövning av goodwill. Även vilka faktorer som påverkar denna informationsutgivning analyseras., The purpose of the thesis is to investigate to which extent companies on the Stockholm stock exchange comply with IAS 36 p. 134, and which factors that may affect the compliance with IAS 36 p. 134.

This dissertation consists of three papers that examine how aspects of public policy may impact private sector corporate governance. The first two examine the relationship between personal-tax policy and corporate agency costs. The first paper is a theoretical analysis based on an agency model of managerial behavior. A unique element of this paper is that it assumes a discontinuous compensation function, which reflects the occurrence of performance thresholds associated with the dismissal incentive and many common bonus plans. The analysis results in three main findings. First, the relative magnitude of proportional taxation has an indeterminate effect on managerial performance. Second, an increase in tax progressivity is associated with reduced managerial performance and increased agency costs. Third, the inclusion of performance thresholds and compensation discontinuities can cause tax system changes to have surprisingly large impacts on managerial performance. The second paper is an empirical investigation of the relationship between personal-tax progressivity and corporate operating efficiency. The analysis is based on variations in across-state tax policy and utilizes a sample of US-based firms. Using matched-pair testing and regression analysis, evidence is found that is consistent with the hypothesis that increased personal-tax progressivity negatively impacts managerial performance. Together, the analysis contained in the first two papers suggests a need to further examine the relationship between personal taxation and corporate agency costs, an issue that is largely absent from the research literature. The third paper investigates whether variations in state corporate law affect firm value. Previous research in this area generally treats all states other than Delaware as having homogeneous corporate law. I relax this assumption and analyze a large panel sample of US firms. Evidence is found that Delaware firms are worth more, on average, than non-Delaware f

This dissertation consists of three papers that examine how aspects of public policy may impact private sector corporate governance. The first two examine the relationship between personal-tax policy and corporate agency costs. The first paper is a theoretical analysis based on an agency model of managerial behavior. A unique element of this paper is that it assumes a discontinuous compensation function, which reflects the occurrence of performance thresholds associated with the dismissal incentive and many common bonus plans. The analysis results in three main findings. First, the relative magnitude of proportional taxation has an indeterminate effect on managerial performance. Second, an increase in tax progressivity is associated with reduced managerial performance and increased agency costs. Third, the inclusion of performance thresholds and compensation discontinuities can cause tax system changes to have surprisingly large impacts on managerial performance. The second paper is an empirical investigation of the relationship between personal-tax progressivity and corporate operating efficiency. The analysis is based on variations in across-state tax policy and utilizes a sample of US-based firms. Using matched-pair testing and regression analysis, evidence is found that is consistent with the hypothesis that increased personal-tax progressivity negatively impacts managerial performance. Together, the analysis contained in the first two papers suggests a need to further examine the relationship between personal taxation and corporate agency costs, an issue that is largely absent from the research literature. The third paper investigates whether variations in state corporate law affect firm value. Previous research in this area generally treats all states other than Delaware as having homogeneous corporate law. I relax this assumption and analyze a large panel sample of US firms. Evidence is found that Delaware firms are worth more, on average, than non-Delaware f

Given the aging of highway pavements, high traffic levels, and uncertainty of sustained preservation funding, there is a need for balanced decision-making tools such as LCCA to ensure long-term and cost-effective pavement investments. With driving forces such as ISTEA 1991, the NHS Act of 1995, and TEA-21, LCCA enables evaluation of overall long-term economic efficiency between competing alternative investments and consequently has important applications in pavement design and management. It has been shown in past research that more effective long-term pavement investment could be made at lower cost using LCCA. Current LCCA-based pavement design and preservation practice in Indiana could be further enhanced by due consideration of user costs. Also, the existing FHWA LCCA software could be further enhanced for increased versatility, flexibility, and more specific applicability to the needs of Indiana, particularly with regard to treatment cost estimation and development of alternative feasible preservation strategies (rehabilitation and maintenance types and timings). The study documented/developed several sets of alternative pavement design and preservation strategies consistent with existing and foreseen Indiana practice. The preservation strategies were developed using two alternative criteria – trigger values (pavement condition thresholds) and predefined time intervals (based on treatment service lives) and are intended for further study before they can be used for practice. These strategies were developed on the basis of historical pavement management data, existing INDOT Design Manual standards, and a survey of experts. The study also found that with a few enhancements, FHWA’s current LCCA methodology and software (RealCost) could be adapted for use by INDOT for purposes of decision support for pavement investments and proceeded to make such enhancements. The resulting software product (RealCost-Indiana) is more versatile, flexible and specific to Indiana prac

Given the aging of highway pavements, high traffic levels, and uncertainty of sustained preservation funding, there is a need for balanced decision-making tools such as LCCA to ensure long-term and cost-effective pavement investments. With driving forces such as ISTEA 1991, the NHS Act of 1995, and TEA-21, LCCA enables evaluation of overall long-term economic efficiency between competing alternative investments and consequently has important applications in pavement design and management. It has been shown in past research that more effective long-term pavement investment could be made at lower cost using LCCA. Current LCCA-based pavement design and preservation practice in Indiana could be further enhanced by due consideration of user costs. Also, the existing FHWA LCCA software could be further enhanced for increased versatility, flexibility, and more specific applicability to the needs of Indiana, particularly with regard to treatment cost estimation and development of alternative feasible preservation strategies (rehabilitation and maintenance types and timings). The study documented/developed several sets of alternative pavement design and preservation strategies consistent with existing and foreseen Indiana practice. The preservation strategies were developed using two alternative criteria – trigger values (pavement condition thresholds) and predefined time intervals (based on treatment service lives) and are intended for further study before they can be used for practice. These strategies were developed on the basis of historical pavement management data, existing INDOT Design Manual standards, and a survey of experts. The study also found that with a few enhancements, FHWA’s current LCCA methodology and software (RealCost) could be adapted for use by INDOT for purposes of decision support for pavement investments and proceeded to make such enhancements. The resulting software product (RealCost-Indiana) is more versatile, flexible and specific to Indiana prac

Governance scholars argue that outside directors have little incentive to monitor managers when their equity stake in the firm is not significant. A sample with a substantial level of outside director share-holdings is examined and a negative relationship between incentive compensation and outside director stock ownership is found. While firms pay higher incentive compensation when they have greater investment opportunities, the compensation contains excess pay due to ineffective corporate governance. Overall, the results suggest more effective corporate governance and lower incentive compensation when outside director stock ownership is higher. © 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Governance scholars argue that outside directors have little incentive to monitor managers when their equity stake in the firm is not significant. A sample with a substantial level of outside director share-holdings is examined and a negative relationship between incentive compensation and outside director stock ownership is found. While firms pay higher incentive compensation when they have greater investment opportunities, the compensation contains excess pay due to ineffective corporate governance. Overall, the results suggest more effective corporate governance and lower incentive compensation when outside director stock ownership is higher. © 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Governance scholars argue that outside directors have little incentive to monitor managers when their equity stake in the firm is not significant. A sample with a substantial level of outside director share-holdings is examined and a negative relationship between incentive compensation and outside director stock ownership is found. While firms pay higher incentive compensation when they have greater investment opportunities, the compensation contains excess pay due to ineffective corporate governance. Overall, the results suggest more effective corporate governance and lower incentive compensation when outside director stock ownership is higher. © 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

36 Seattle U. L. Rev. 489 (2013)

Based on agency theory, the agency cost in the process of corporate governance can be divided in to type I agency cost between management and shareholders and type II agency cost between majority shareholders and minority shareholders. This paper brought corporate governance mechanisms, two types of agency cost and firm performance into a uniform analytic framework. Then, I built a mediation effect model of corporate governance, agency cost, firm performance based on the mediation effect testing procedures presented by Zhao et al. (2010). It conducted the empirical research based on the panel data from 1295 public listed companies in Shanghai stock exchange during 2014 to 2017 and adapted the fixed effect model. The research tested the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on firm performance, agency cost and the mediation effect of two kinds of agency cost on the relationship of corporate governance and firm performance. Results of the study indicated that: Type I agency cost has partly mediating effect in ownership concentration, independent of board management incentive and firm performance. These corporate governance mechanisms can effectively promote firm performance by reducing type I agency cost. Type II agency cost also have a mediating effect in ownership concentration, independence of board and management incentive. However, the mediating effect of type II agency in the relationship between ownership concentration and management incentive is that excessive concentration and equity incentive will decrease the firm performance by increasing type II agency cost.

Bénéfices privés et concurrence sur le marché des produitsCet article traite de l’influence des bénéfices privés sur la valeur des entreprises en situation d’oligopole. Les bénéfices privés sont supposés générer des coûts qui sont transmis à travers la structure organisationnelle. Ils créent ainsi des distorsions de prix sur le marché de produits en aval. Nous montrons que cela peut affecter positivement le résultat (c’est-à-dire la valeur de marché) des entreprises puisque l’intensité de la concurrence est réduite par l’augmentation des coûts unitaires. En situation d’oligopole, l’extraction des bénéfices privés peut améliorer les profits tout en induisant une perte de bien-être : cela suggère que la gouvernance d’entreprise ne peut pas être dissociée de la politique de la concurrence, dans les secteurs où l’opportunisme managérial se traduit par des coûts d’exploitation.Classification JEL : G38, D43., The impact of private benefits extraction on the values of oligopolistic firms is analyzed. Private benefits are assumed to generate costs which are passed through the organizational structure and create price distortion in the downstream product market. We prove that this may affect the profit (i.e. the market value) of the firms in a positive sense since the intensity of rivalry is curbed by the cost increase.In oligopoly, private benefits extraction may enhance the profits while still generating a welfare loss: this suggests that corporate governance cannot be divorced from competition policy in industries where managerial opportunism generates expropriation costs.JEL Classification: G38, D43.