Short-Term Expectations in Listed Firms: The Effects Of Different Owner Types




Brunzell T, Liljeblom E, Vaihekoski M

PublisherWiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

2015

Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting

JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTING

J INT FIN MANAG ACC

26

3

223

256

34

0954-1314

1467-646X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jifm.12028



We report empirical evidence in line with the disciplining role of different institutional and other owner types in reducing managerial myopia. Using data from a large Nordic survey, we find that companies, to a reasonably high degree, feel that external pressure for a good result in the short-term generates conflict with the company's long-term goals. We test for the effect of different ownership types and find that especially in firms with a large and non-transitory activist or fund as an owner, the perceived pressure for short-term actions is reduced. In addition, we observe a negative association between firm profitability and short-term pressure, and we find that younger managers feel significantly more pressure. Firms subject to greater pressure engage in more actions to accommodate that pressure. Again, the impact of a large activist owner is especially beneficial because such firms significantly less often undertake actions that have the potential to destroy value, such as deprioritizing their long-term investments or R&D.




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