Seven Myths of Corporate Governance

9 Pages Posted: 2 Jun 2011 Last revised: 3 Sep 2013

See all articles by David F. Larcker

David F. Larcker

Stanford Graduate School of Business; Stanford University - Hoover Institution; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business

Date Written: June 1, 2011

Abstract

In recent years, there has been much discussion over how to improve governance systems broadly. In the process, certain myths have developed that continue to be accepted, despite a lack of robust supporting evidence. These myths include the beliefs that: 1. The structure of the board always tells you something about the quality of the board; 2. CEOs in the U.S. are overpaid; 3. Pay for performance does not exist in CEO compensation contracts; 4. Companies are prepared to replace the CEO if needed; 5. Regulation improves corporate governance; 6. The voting recommendations of proxy advisory firms are correct; 7. Best practices are the solution to bad governance.

We examine each of these myths in closer detail and explain why they are false. So long as these myths are accepted by practitioners and the public, how can we expect managerial behavior and firm performance to improve?

Read the attached Closer Look and let us know what you think!

Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.

Keywords: corporate governance, board of directors, governance structure, executive compensation, pay-for-performance, say-on-pay, CEO succession, corporate governance regulations, corporate governance research, corporate governance best practices

JEL Classification: G30, G34, G39

Suggested Citation

Larcker, David F. and Tayan, Brian, Seven Myths of Corporate Governance (June 1, 2011). Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University Closer Look Series: Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance No. CGRP-16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1856869 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1856869

David F. Larcker (Contact Author)

Stanford Graduate School of Business ( email )

Graduate School of Business
518 Memorial Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States
650-725-6159 (Phone)

Stanford University - Hoover Institution ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business ( email )

655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States

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