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Corporate governance and dividend policy: Evidence of tunneling from master limited partnerships

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  • Atanassov, Julian
  • Mandell, Aaron J.

Abstract

Using a sample of 85 Delaware master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) from 2004 to 2016, we examine the relation between cash dividend policy and the strength of corporate governance measured by contractual governance provisions, such as fiduciary waiver, mandatory distributions, and voting rights, and by ownership structure. We find support for the tunneling model of dividend determination. Specifically, we document that firms with weaker governance pay out more cash dividends than better governed firms. We also find that, in the presence of low quality governance, these payments reduce firm value as well as the value of the firm's cash holdings, suggesting that they are viewed by the market as a tunneling (extraction) of resources by the general partner at the expense of limited unitholders.

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  • Atanassov, Julian & Mandell, Aaron J., 2018. "Corporate governance and dividend policy: Evidence of tunneling from master limited partnerships," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 106-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:53:y:2018:i:c:p:106-132
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2018.10.004
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    5. Ante Džidić Silvije Orsag, 2019. "Dividend Smoothing and Investor Protection," Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 22(2), pages 55-70, November.
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    8. Chuanzhen Li & Liang Zhao & Yiwen Zhang, 2024. "Economic policy uncertainty and cash dividend policy: evidence from China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.
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    10. Kambar Farooq & Muhammad Azeem & Chin Man Chui & Jun (Tony) Ruan, 2023. "Board Connections and Dividend Policy," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 59(4), pages 983-1040, December.
    11. Aaron J. Mandell, 2022. "The value of tunneling: Evidence from master limited partnership formations," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1-2), pages 355-380, January.
    12. Shamsabadi, Hussein Abedi & Tebourbi, Imen & Nourani, Mohammad & Min, Byung S., 2021. "Corporate Governance and Dividend Reinvestment Plans: Insights from Imputation Tax in Australia," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    13. Charl de Villiers & Diandian Ma & Ana Marques, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure, dividend payments and firm value – Relations and mediating effects," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(1), pages 185-219, March.
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    15. Suman, Samridhi & Singh, Shveta, 2022. "The Role of Multiple Large Shareholders in Dividend Payouts: Evidence from India," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 25(1), pages 120-151, May.

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