Trust: The Unwritten Contract In Corporate Governance

7 Pages Posted: 6 Aug 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: July 31, 2013

Abstract

Corporate governance systems exist to discourage self-interested behavior. One question that is often overlooked is how extensive these systems should be. A look at corporate governance today suggests that self-interest is high because companies are compelled - by regulators and the market - to adopt a long list of contracts, controls, and procedures to restrict employee behavior.

However, the research literature suggests that companies might benefit if they enacted fewer, rather than more, controls. Companies that successfully foster high levels of trust between employees and monitors benefit from lower bureaucracy, simpler procedures, and higher productivity. We examine this issues in greater detail, and ask:

• Would shareholders be better off if companies devoted greater effort to fostering trust? • Can trust be fostered in all settings? • Are some industries more likely to attract individuals that put their own interests first? • How can executives develop a culture that discourages self interest and encourages trust?

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: high-trust organizations, organizational trust, governance structure, corporate culture

JEL Classification: G3, G30, G34, J33, M41, M52

Suggested Citation

Larcker, David F. and Tayan, Brian, Trust: The Unwritten Contract In Corporate Governance (July 31, 2013). Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University Closer Look Series: Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership No. CGRP-34, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2306150

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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