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Influence Of Uk Company Law, Takeover Regulation And Corporate Governance On Policy Making

Decent Essays

Hansmann and Kraakman argue that, as a matter of norms, efficiency and fact, the world continues to converge around “the ‘standard shareholder-oriented model’ of the business corporation.” 

Henry Hansmann & Reinier Kraakman, ‘The End of History for Corporate Law’ 89 Georgetown LJ 439 (2001)
Critically assess this claim with reference to the influence of UK company law, takeover regulation and corporate governance on policy making in the EU and internationally.
Introduction
The corporate governance debate has been a global phenomenon, attributed to the increasing deregulation of worldwide capital markets and the expansion of the shareholder class . Such changes have increased awareness of the importance of corporate governance practices, …show more content…

This essay will then consider that convergence towards a single model is unlikely due to path dependence and cultural differences between countries. Nevertheless, pressures should result in convergence towards a hybrid model in the near future. This essay will conclude that lack of complete convergence may not be a negative, given the various problems associated with the SM.

The shareholder-oriented model
Hansmann and Kraakman implicitly assume that the SM is identical across the US and UK, ignoring several differences. The historical origins and balance of responsibilities of both systems are distinct , with the UK taking a principles-based approach and the US taking a rules-based method .
Nevertheless, both systems take the broad approach that shareholders ought to have complete control over the company, with managers managing for shareholders’ benefit and minority shareholders being protected . This model is characterised by the power of the General Meeting , inclusion of non-executive directors on the Board , move towards greater financial transparency and independent audit committees .
Drivers towards convergence
Hansmann and Kraakman’s arguments were based on three claims: the ideological claim, efficiency claim and the factual claim . Yet, these failed to consider changing global circumstances and other nuances.
Efficiency claim
It was claimed

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