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Foundation Owned Firms in Germany - a Field Experiment for Agency Theory

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  • Franke, Günter
  • Draheim, Matthias

Abstract

This paper analyzes the governance and performance of firms which, according to simplistic agency theory, should not be viable. These firms are fully or partially owned by a foundation which itself is not owned by natural or legal persons. Therefore, residual claimholders have restricted or no influence on corporate governance. The lack of owners strengthens other stakeholders, in particular employees. Relative to matching family firms, German foundation owned firms are larger in terms of employees and operating revenue, and substitute labor for material, but not for capital. Their hiring and firing policy is about the same. They follow a more conservative financing policy, their financial performance is somewhat weaker.

Suggested Citation

  • Franke, Günter & Draheim, Matthias, 2015. "Foundation Owned Firms in Germany - a Field Experiment for Agency Theory," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 113217, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc15:113217
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ann-Kristin Achleitner & Dmitry Bazhutov & André Betzer & Joern Block & Florian Hosseini, 2020. "Foundation ownership and shareholder value: an event study," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 459-484, June.
    2. Mühlbauer, Stefan, 2016. "Foundation owned firms - a delegation approach," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145719, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm

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