Ownership Differences in the Nordic Region: Causes and Consequences

Abstract:

The aim of the proposed project is two-fold. The first aim is to establish a joint Nordic research project to strengthen the Nordic Corporate Governance Network, and facilitate scholarly exchange between Nordic universities. The proposed project explores the causes and consequences of ownership differences in the Nordic region with the objective to determine its effects on firms, performance, and investor activity, in order to identify appropriate regulatory amendments in the wake of increased external pressure on the Nordic corporate governance model (see Lekvall et al., 2014). The project will include a series of exploratory workshops (one for each research question), and involve researchers from eight universities in four Nordic countries. Second, we aim to construct a joint database for Nordic primary data for the long-term benefit of Nordic corporate governance research community, as well as a website for the Nordic Corporate Governance Network to increase joint dissemination. The Nordic Corporate Governance Network was founded in 2010, by Professors T. Berglund (Finland), P-O. Bjuggren (Sweden), T. Randøy (Norway) and S. Thomsen (Denmark). The aim of the network is to discuss the Nordic model, and create a strong corporate governance community through increased communication between faculty members with similar research interests and different affiliations. In four years NCGN has grown to comprise 130 researchers with unique interdisciplinary expertise, representing almost 30 institutions in all five Nordic countries. Research carried out by NCGN members covers most aspects of corporate governance.