Corporate Governance

Layered illustrations of mens profiles in similar shades of white and light gray. Credit: Tricia Seibold and iStock/Leontura
January 19, 2021
Homogeneity at the Top
New research drills down on C-suite diversity in Fortune 100 firms and finds there’s a lot more work to do.

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Protests from Within: Engaging with Employee Activists
Gaming the System: Three “Red Flags” of Potential 10b5-1 Abuse
Environmental Spinoffs: The Attempt to Dump Liability Through Spin and Bankruptcy
See Also Research in Corporate Governance
See Also Accounting
Insights on accounting, including the study of the pricing of securities and the design of performance measurement systems.
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Latest Stories in Corporate Governance

April 19, 2021
Written
Why Some Companies Stood by Workers When COVID-19 Battered Business
A new study finds that corporate decisions to either protect workers or lay them off had a lot to do with … compassion.
Leadership
March 23, 2021
Written
Info Games: How Corporations Wield Disclosures as a Merger Tool
During corporate takeovers, buyers often tailor their public statements to drive down the price of takeover targets, a new study shows.
Accounting
March 19, 2021
Written
The Trickle-Down Tragedy of Corporate Fraud
When companies shut down because of executive malfeasance, bottom-tier workers suffer most — especially when it comes to future earnings.
Accounting
February 08, 2021
Written
Executive Bonuses Might Work Better Than You Think
Cash and equity incentives promote individual and collective performance benefits, new research finds.
Management
February 02, 2021
Written
Are Businesses Undermining Democracy?
A Stanford conference explores the many ways that corporate leaders wield power over government.
Government
February 02, 2021
Written
The Self-Destructive Downside to Corporate Political Spending
There are risks to the bottom line when a firm’s shadowy political donations run counter to its image of social responsibility.
Government
January 19, 2021
Written
Homogeneity at the Top
New research drills down on C-suite diversity in Fortune 100 firms and finds there’s a lot more work to do.
Corporate Governance
October 08, 2020
Written
Anat Admati on Milton Friedman and Justice
Friedman’s credo that corporations should focus only on maximizing shareholder value rests on assumptions that are “far from true in the real world.”
Corporate Governance
July 15, 2020
Written
Stimulus Money Might Stimulate Insider Trading
A new study reveals that politically connected shareholders cashed in with suspiciously well-timed trades during the 2008 federal bailout.
Corporate Governance
May 04, 2020
Written
Tax Havens Mask Global Risk Exposures
Corporations raise vast sums of money through subsidiaries in tax havens. A new study unravels big surprises in global imbalances.
Finance
April 30, 2020
Written
How Narcissistic Leaders Destroy from Within
When the person at the top is malignant and self-serving, unethical behavior cascades through the organization and becomes legitimized.
Leadership
February 14, 2020
Written
Democracy and Prosperity Require Uncorrupted Governments
We don’t have to choose between capitalism and socialism. What we need is a system in which corporations can thrive without distorting the economy — or democracy itself.
Government
January 09, 2020
Written
When Private-Sector Firms Create a Culture of Health
Investments in employees, consumers, communities, and the environment vary widely. A new study reveals this range and the hurdles to measuring success.
Health Care
January 06, 2020
Written
Good Corporate Governance Is a Great Idea, But Is Anyone Practicing It?
There’s little evidence that common board best practices lead to better oversight.
Corporate Governance
December 19, 2019
Video
Should CEOs Take a Stance on Controversial Topics?
CEOs have traditionally shied away from politically charged issues, but that may be changing.
Corporate Governance
December 06, 2019
Written
Gift List: 10 Books to Share for the Holidays
Stanford GSB professors recommend the books they’re most likely to give as presents over this year’s holiday season.
Career & Success
November 04, 2019
Written
Narcissistic CEOs Weaken Collaboration and Integrity
Some may be bold leaders, but they create a dangerous corporate culture.
Organizational Behavior
October 18, 2019
Video
How Corporations Use Tax Havens to Maximize Profits
What does it mean for a company to pay its fair share?
Accounting
September 24, 2019
Written
People Before Profits: A New American Credo?
America’s top CEOs say their companies will focus on all stakeholders, but a corporate governance expert remains skeptical.
Corporate Governance
September 17, 2019
Written
Do Investors Really Care About Gender Diversity?
Shareholders penalize tech and finance companies for not hiring enough women, new research shows.
Organizational Behavior