För att uppnå större harmonisering mellan länder och förenkla jämförelser mellan företag har ett antal internationella standarder för finansiell rapportering upprättats. Den senaste IFRS- standarden, IFRS 3, gavs ut år 2004 och infördes i Europa år 2005, vilket innebar att börsnoterade företag bland annat i Sverige skulle följa standarden när de upprättar sin koncernredovisning. I och med den nya standarden infördes nya regler för nedskrivning av goodwill som innebar att årliga avskrivningar ersattes med regelbundna tester för nedskrivning. Eftersom genomförande av nedskrivning i stor utsträckning är beroende av subjektiva bedömningar, uppstår möjligheten för företagsledningar att påverka den finansiella rapporteringen till sin egen fördel. Syftet i föreliggande studie är att utreda vilka faktorer som påverkar företagsledningen i sin bedömning vid nedskrivning av goodwill. Föreliggande studie har använt kvantitativ metod och en deduktiv ansats. Datainsamlingen baserades på årsredovisningar från börsnoterade företag i large cap på Stockholmsbörsen OMX Nasdaq under perioden 2011-2014. Denna studies resultat har visat att det råder ett signifikant positivt samband mellan (1) byte av VD, (2) svaga resultat och nedskrivning av goodwill. Detta ger stöd till att det under vissa förhållanden finns incitament för företagsledningen att påverka redovisningen på ett sätt som inte nödvändigtvis avspeglar den verkliga finansiella situationen i företaget. Det är viktigt för företags intressenter och revisorer att ha kännedom om vilka incitament som kan föranleda påverkan av redovisningen. / In order to achieve greater harmonization between countries and facilitate comparisons between companies, a number of international financial reporting standards have been established. The recent IFRS standard, IFRS 3 was released in 2004 and was introduced in Europe in 2005, which meant that listed companies in Sweden would follow the standard when they prepare their consolidated accounts. With the new standard, new rules for the impairment of goodwill were introduced that replaced annual depreciation with regular testing for impairment. Since the implementation of the write-down is largely dependent on subjective judgments, the possibility arises that management manipulate financial reporting to their own advantage. The aim of the present study is to investigate the factors that influence the company management in assessing the impairment of goodwill. This study uses quantitative methods and has a deductive approach. The data collection is based on the annual reports of listed companies in the large cap on the OMX Nasdaq Stockholm Exchange during the period 2011-2014. The results in the study have shown that there is a significant positive relationship between (1) the replacement of the CEO, (2) weak earnings and impairment of goodwill. This supports that under certain conditions there is an incentive for management to manipulate accounting numbers in a way that does not necessarily reflect the real financial situation of the company. It is important for the company's stakeholders and auditors to have knowledge of what incentives can influence preparation of financial statements.

Underrepresentation av kvinnor i styrelser är ett omtalat samhällsproblem. För att inkludera kvinnor och skapa ett styrelserum av mångfald har kvoteringar implementerats i EU. Trots kvoteringsdirektiv om en styrelse där 40 procent ska bestå av kvinnor, uppfyller bolagsstyrelser i Europa inte målen. Incitamenten för en mer jämställd styrelse är, förutom kvinnlig representation och rättigheter, finansiell lönsamhet. En god bolagsstyrning är viktigt för en effektiv ekonomisk hälsa och utveckling och lönsamhet. Könsdiversitet tenderar att öka ekonomisk tillväxt. Trots att fördelar för lönsamhet tillsammans med jämställdhet konstaterats återfinns ofta en ojämn könsfördelning bland bolagsstyrningen i börsnoterade bolag. Idag finns ett flertal studier om könsdiversitet i styrelser kopplat till lönsamhet med blandade resultat. Studierna analyserar ofta en mängd bolag där sektorn banker exkluderas. Banker har en betydande roll i samhället och är viktig för ett lands ekonomiska tillväxt. Studien syftar därför till att analysera om inkludering av kvinnor i bolagsstyrelser har en påverkan på europeiska bankers finansiella lönsamhet. Genom studien lyfts teorierna agentteorin, kritiska massanteorin och intresseteorin för att belysa olika perspektiv av ämnet. Där analyseras och diskuteras hur stor andel kvinnor styrelsen bör utgöra för att kunna göra skillnad samt mångfaldens påverkan på gruppen och resultatet. I studien genomförs analyser på de finansiella lönsamhetsmåtten ROA och Tobins Q. Studiens resultat påvisar genom analyserna att ett positivt samband finns mellan kvinnor i styrelser och finansiell lönsamhet. Analysen testar ett flertal variabler där bankernas storlek, styrelsens storlek och likviditet tas i beaktning. Analysen påvisar även att fler variabler har inverkan på lönsamheten. Studien kan genom resultatet påvisa att kvinnor i styrelsen har en påverkan, men framför allt att mångfald tenderar att öka lönsamhet. Jämställdhet är ett samhällsproblem och belyses genom studien där lika förutsättningar och kvinnors egen makt lyfts. I studien påvisas att inkludering av kvinnor i styrelser tenderar att öka lönsamheten hos europeiska banker. Detta lyfter att incitamentet finns att inkludera kvinnor för en finansiell lönsamhet, men även för jämställdhet. / Underrepresentation of women in boardrooms are societal issues. To include women and create a diverse boardroom, quotas have been implemented in the EU. Despite directives requiring boards to consist of 40 percent women, European corporate boards fail to meet these goals. Incentives for a more gender-balanced boardroom include, in addition to female representation and rights, financial profitability. Good corporate governance is crucial for effective economic health, and development, and profitability. Gender diversity tend to increase economic growth. Despite benefits for profitability along with gender equality, an uneven gender distribution is often found among corporate boards in listed companies. Today, there are numerous studies on gender diversity in boards linked to profitability with mixed results. These studies often exclude the banking sector. Banks play a significant role in society and are important for a country's economic growth. Therefore, the study aims to analyze whether the inclusion of women in corporate boards affects the financial profitability of European banks. The study highlights the theories of agency theory, critical mass theory, and stakeholder theory to illuminate different perspectives on the subject. The study analyzes and discusses what proportion of women the board should consist of to make a difference, as well as the impact of diversity on the group and the outcome. In the study, analyses are conducted on the financial profitability measures ROA and Tobin's Q. The results of the study demonstrate a positive significant relationship between women on boards and financial profitability. The analysis tests several variables, including bank size, board size, and liquidity. The analysis also indicates that several variables affect profitability. The study's results can demonstrate that women on the board have an impact, but primarily that diversity tends to increase profitability. Gender equality is a societal issue highlighted in the study, where equal opportunities and women's empowerment are emphasized. The study shows that the inclusion of women on boards tends to increase the profitability of European banks. This highlights the incentive to include women for financial profitability, as well as for gender equality.

No / We examine the effect of family governance on corporate philanthropy by focusing on the motives of controlling families. We emphasize that controlling families have two different motives, namely, financial and socioemotional motives. On this basis, we argue that the two motives have contrasting effects on corporate philanthropy. Given that family ownership represents the financial motive of family principals, the first hypothesis posits that family ownership is negatively related to corporate philanthropy. Family management increases family visibility and thus encourages controlling families to be concerned with their socioemotional wealth. That is, the higher the visibility of controlling families in the firm, the more likely the overlap will be between family and firm identity. Thus, the second and third hypotheses predict that family involvement in management as a family CEO or director positively moderates the relationship between family ownership and corporate philanthropy. We test our hypotheses using fixed effects panel regression models and the sample of large nonfinancial Korean family firms listed in KOSPI, Korea’s major stock market. Test results support our hypotheses. We find that family firms become reluctant to engage in discretionary wealth transfer to nonfamily stakeholders as family ownership increases. However, this negative effect of family ownership on corporate philanthropy is weakened by family involvement in top management and the board of directors. Our findings reconcile the inconsistent results in the literature on family business and CSR, which is divided into positive and negative perspectives. In this manner, we revisit the assumption of prior research, which often treats family firms as homogeneous and reveals the limitation of a dichotomous approach to family business. We conclude by discussing the implications and theoretical contributions of this study and offering future research directions.

Performance-based contracting (PBC) redefines the relationships between suppliers and buyers and differs from traditional contracting approaches with its reward/payment scheme, emphasis on the performance outcomes, increased supplier autonomy, and transfer of risk and responsibilities to suppliers. Given the 70% of life cycle costs of products/systems reside in sustainment, PBC has led to substantial improvements in availability, maintainability, reliability, and thus total cost of ownership of systems/products. Though PBC has changed the way of doing business and its presence has increased across multiple industry, private and public sectors, for profit and not-for-profit, its implications on various aspects of logistics and supply chain management have been understudied. It is important to explore and establish evidence regarding these implications through academic rigor. Therefore, this three-essay dissertation aims to give some insight regarding structural and behavioral implications of PBC using a multi-method approach. Specifically, it (1) explores the relationship between PBC and supply chain resilience (SCRES), (2) examines the supplier goal commitment (i.e., motivation) in PBC, (3) proposes a mathematical model to find optimal contract length, periodic contract price and investment that concurrently maximizing supplier profit and satisfying buyer requirements. This dissertation offers theoretical and managerial contributions as well.

改革開放後，文革中一度瀕臨絕跡的宗教再度復現於神州大地上，並有了長足的增長。而隨著中國大陸近年來政經情勢的轉變，向被視作黨國傳輸帶的官方宗教團體，其自主性也有相當發展，在國家與信徒間的角色亦有轉變，並影響各宗教的發展方向。本研究以基督教為研究對象，援引新制度主義之研究架構，以基督教領域中黨國、三自教會、家庭教會等主要行動者為焦點，梳理各行動者之間的制度性關係，以探討當前中國大陸宗教團體自主性成長之因，以及各行動者在基督教發展中所扮演的角色。 透過代理人理論的分析，本研究指出，中央和地方黨政宗教事務部門之間存在著代理人問題，造成中央政策無法在地方貫徹執行。國家社會關係朝向統合主義的轉型，則給予了官方宗教團體自主空間，同時促成教界利益崛起。與此同時，基層教會也發展出自主意識，同時習得運用若干技巧，以消解來自官方宗教團體的壓力。此外，前述黨國內部的代理人問題與統合主義的轉型，同樣給予家庭教會生存的空間，而在宗教市場邏輯的運作下，家庭教會將始終有其存在的利

台灣不動產仲介業，從1977年成立公司組織發展至今32年、不動產仲介業務網路化從1996年至今13年、公部門為不動產交易安全建置e-house從2007年開始運作至今2年，對照2002年至今台灣不動產仲介交易糾紛逐年攀升現象；顯見，付出高額仲介費用買屋及賣屋的不動產消費者，並未因不動產仲介業者的組織規模龐大、營業收入豐碩、網路發達，資訊科技精進及政府成立e-house網站，而得到較完備的不動產交易安全保障。 本研究以滿足消費者需求為基礎，並以提供網絡仲介不動產交易安全環境的“推動方式和實實務層面”為主題，從不動產仲介之起源、不動產仲介市場現況、不動產仲介問題、e-house現況及e-house問題等過程為論述軸線.探討不動產仲介作業流程、不動產仲介交易糾紛原因、不動產網路仲介交易運作、聯賣制度運作不成功、自售網之崛起及e-house網站的政策目標等課題，經由(1)以交易成本及代理理論為基礎的論證；(2)對現行管理仲介業者的不動產經紀業管理條例之法制面與規範的認知；(3)對不動產消費者、不動產服務業者、政府三方不動產網路仲介交易相關主體特性的瞭解; (4)對於民間不動產網站及官方e-house網站仲介交易實務與現行法制規範相互影響，造成推動不動產交易安全障礙的課題進行探討; (5)分析影響不動產消費者使用民間不動產網站及官方e-house網站存在仲介代理問題及高昂仲介費用的交易成本等相關文獻面、法制面、實務面及一般會員使用e-house的問卷調查。綜合研究顯示：(1)台灣不動產仲介業與政府本身皆存在影響不動產交易安全推動的問題；(2)不動產仲介業對消費者可能存在委託代理問題及使用不動產網站產生交易成本的疑慮；(3)不動產仲介交易產生的代理問題及交易成本，會影響消費者對不動產交易行為的決策形式；(4)消費者利用網路進行不動產交易，是一項極為專業且繁瑣的消費活動，不動產仲介交易過程必須專業分工，才能消弭或降低代理問題及交易成本，促進交易安全。 本研究針對影響消費者使用仲介網站交易不動產的問題，嘗試建構「e-house網路交易不動產示範網站」的新思維，提供消費者消除或減少代理問題和交易成本，以促進不動產交易安全；另一方面，也考慮到其他不動產專業人士的權益及政府行政效能的提升。新思維的內容包括(1)建構“整合仲介交易過程之不動產專業分工機制” (2)改造e-house成為「e-house網路交易不動產示範網站」(3)研擬不動產網站經營者之資格條件、不動產網站作業內容及消費者與不動產業者網路作業等規範,並建議政府從「政策面」、「法制面」、「資訊面」、「推動面」及「執行面」等五個構面制定配套措施，消弭或降低代理問題及交易成本，推動不動產交易安全。 關鍵字：不動產仲介業、不動產經紀人、交易成本理論、代理理論、代理問題、e-house網路交易不動產示範網站 / Taiwan real estate brokerage industry appeared as company organization in 1977. In 1996, the real estate brokerage business launched onto internet website. In 2007, Public Security Department setup “e-house” network platform. However, from 2002 till now, the real estate transaction disputes still increase annually. Obviously, large organized real estate firms, developed network, sufficient information nor “e-house” network platform will not guarantee consumers who pay high broker fees to receive better and comprehensive real estate transaction safety. This study is to provide “promoting and practicing aspects” to real estate transaction safety network environment to satisfy consumers’ demands. It intends to look into the starting of real estate brokerage business, the current status of real estate brokerage market, the real estate broker problems, the current “e-house” status and its problems by examining the process of Taiwan real estate brokerage, the real estate transaction disputes, the real estate broker operating network, the failure of MLS, the rise of free broker fee network, and the policy objectives of “e-house” network platform by: (1) Demonstration on the basis of transactional cost and broker theory; (2) Comprehension on the procedures and the norms of Real Estate Broker Management Act; (3) Understand the characteristics of three participants, government, real estate service providers and the consumers, in the real estate transaction; (4) Investigate the conflicts between real estate operation network and the existing regulations that makes the promoting real estate transaction safety to be difficult; (5) Analyze the cost structure between private brokerage system and the official “e-house” system and how a consumer may react to two different systems with regards to legal system, practice and survey. A general conclusion from research indicates the following: (1) Problems appear on both sides of private and government agencies to promote safer and more transparent real estate transaction (2) Real estate brokers have doubts on buyers/seller’s trust on representation issue and the actual transactional cost for using a on-line web-site (3) Cost and representation issue arising from the actual real-estate transaction may Affect forms of consumers’ decision making. (4) Procedures for making an online real estate transaction are very complicated for consumers. Professional brokers have to monitor every step of the way in order to eliminate representation issue, reduce transactional cost, and promote safer transactional security. This study focuses on the problems emerging from consumers using an online real-estate website, while trying to demonstrate a safe “e-house” network platform can actually complete the real estate transaction. Once consumers have enough trust in the “e-house” network platform, it could potentially reduce representation issue problems and transactional cost. On the other hand, this system also protects brokers’ privileges while enhancing government’s efficiency. New concepts to be discussed in this study will include (1) Create a professional and integrated real-estate transactional mechanism. (2) Transform “e-house” into a demonstrated network platform for online real-estate transaction. (3) Set strict standards for qualifying private brokerage to operate an online real-estate network platform, to provide website contents, and operational model between consumer and real-estate broker. (4) Propose necessary measures to government in five aspects: “policy”, “legal system”, “information”, “promotion”, “implementation”. Keywords: Real estate brokerage industry, Real estate broker, Agency theory, Transaction cost theory, Representation issue, E-house network of real estate transactions demonstration platform.

Submitted by Danielle Cavalcante Duarte (dc.duarte@gmail.com) on 2016-01-21T15:37:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016.01.18_Conflitos.de.Agência.no.Consórcio.DPVAT_pós.defesa.pdf: 898489 bytes, checksum: a4aaf912a30b7b1326ac452f6227997e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by BRUNA BARROS (bruna.barros@fgv.br) on 2016-02-03T18:17:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016.01.18_Conflitos.de.Agência.no.Consórcio.DPVAT_pós.defesa.pdf: 898489 bytes, checksum: a4aaf912a30b7b1326ac452f6227997e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Almeida (maria.socorro@fgv.br) on 2016-02-11T18:40:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016.01.18_Conflitos.de.Agência.no.Consórcio.DPVAT_pós.defesa.pdf: 898489 bytes, checksum: a4aaf912a30b7b1326ac452f6227997e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-11T18:41:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016.01.18_Conflitos.de.Agência.no.Consórcio.DPVAT_pós.defesa.pdf: 898489 bytes, checksum: a4aaf912a30b7b1326ac452f6227997e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-11 / Diferentes arranjos institucionais resultam em diferentes incentivos para a realização de trocas econômicas. Com efeito, estruturas regulatórias implementadas em determinado contexto histórico-econômico podem resultar em consequências diversas daquelas originariamente pretendidas, impondo ao regulador a necessidade de constante monitoramento e de intervenções com vistas a diagnosticar e corrigir ou minimizar possíveis distorções nas relações entre os atores envolvidos. Assim, esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar o funcionamento do Consórcio do Seguro DPVAT como mecanismo de conexão entre seus diversos stakeholders. Pretende-se analisar a existência de conflitos de interesses derivados das diversas relações entre as partes interligadas – geradas pelo arranjo institucional firmado para a gestão dos recursos arrecadados com os prêmios pagos pelos proprietários de veículo automotor para o Seguro de Danos Pessoais Causados por Veículos Automotores de Via Terrestre, ou por sua carga, a Pessoas Transportadas ou Não (DPVAT) – que possam suscitar intervenção regulatória no sentido de evitá-los, ou, ao menos, mitigá-los. A pesquisa é conduzida a partir da identificação dos comportamentos esperados de agentes econômicos autointeressados, tendo por referência os pressupostos da Nova Economia Institucional sob a perspectiva da Teoria da Agência, e do exame das principais mudanças legislativas havidas na estrutura do seguro obrigatório de trânsito no Brasil nos últimos 50 anos. Na sequência, com base em elementos teóricos e empíricos, foram identificados e analisados três conflitos de agência entre os stakeholders do Consórcio DPVAT: o primeiro seria aquele havido entre a entidade gestora do Consórcio DPVAT (agente) e as sociedades seguradoras consorciadas (principal); o segundo conflito observado refere-se à relação mantida entre a entidade gestora do Consórcio DPVAT (agente) e o órgão regulador (principal); e, por fim, o conflito de agência existente entre a seguradora que administra o referido consórcio (agente) e os proprietários de veículo automotor (principal). / Different institutional arrangements result in different incentives for performing economic exchanges. Indeed, regulatory frameworks implemented in a particular historical and economic background may produce results different from those originally intended, therefore imposing to the regulator the need for constant monitoring and intervention in order to diagnose and correct or minimize possible distortions in the relationships among actors. Thus, this dissertation is proposed to analyze the operation of the DPVAT Consortium as a connecting mechanism between its various stakeholders. The goal is to check potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the various relationships between these stakeholders – set up by the institutional framework established to the management of the premiums paid by motor vehicle owners for their mandatory motor third-party liability insurance (known as DPVAT insurance in Brazil) – that may foster regulatory intervention in order to avoid such conflicts or, at least, to mitigate them. The survey is based on identifying the expected behavior of economic agents in their own interest, according to the assumptions of the New Institutional Economics from the perspective of the Agency Theory, and on the examination of the main legislative changes in mandatory motor third-party liability insurance in Brazil over the last 50 years. Subsequently, three agency conflicts between DPVAT Consortium stakeholders were identified and analyzed based on theoretical and empirical evidence, arising from: (1) the relationship between the managing body of the DPVAT Consortium (agent) and the insurance companies that are an integral part of the Consortium (principal); (2) the relationship between the managing body of the DPVAT Consortium (agent) and the regulatory body (principal); and (3) the relationship between the insurance company that operates the DPVAT Consortium (agent) and the motor vehicle owners (principal).

The phenomenon of business value dissipation in mature organisations as an unintended by-product of the adoption and use of information systems has been a highly debated topic in the corporate boardroom awakening the interest of practitioners and academics alike. Much of the discourse tends to focus on the inability of organisations to unlock and realise the intended benefits to be harvested through large information systems investments. While the business case for investing in large technology programmes has been thoroughly investigated, the human agent that causes value erosion through his interaction with information systems (IS), has not received the studied attention it deserves. This study examines the use of technology in organisations by considering the dichotomy inherent in IS where its introduction for the purposes of creating new or sustaining existing business value subsequently also inadvertently dissipates value. The study proceeds to investigate the root people-induced causes resulting in the unintentional dissipation of value and presents an empirically validated model suggesting that human agents do not only create value for organisations through their use of IS, but at the same time, deliberately or inadvertently, dissipate value. The root people-induced causes resulting in the unintentional dissipation of value is delineated within a Theoretical Technology Value Framework that is constructed from a review of the extant literature, and delineates the overall unintentional value destroying causes and effects of IS on organisations. The Theoretical Technology Value Framework is forthwith applied as a basis for the development of a set of questions to support both qualitative and quantitative investigations from which an Archetypical Technology Value Model was derived. Finally, an Archetypical Technology Value Model is presented as a benchmark and basis to identify, investigate, mitigate and minimise or eliminate the unintentional value destroying effects of IS on Information Technology driven organisations. The study concludes with implications for both theory and practice and suggestions on how value erosion through the activities of the human agent may be identified, modeled and mitigated. Ultimately, recommendations are offered towards the crafting of more effective IS. / School of Computing / Ph. D. (Information Systems)

Ce travail analyse le rôle des sociétés de capital-investissement dans la formation d’alliances stratégiques sur le marché français du capital-investissement. Après nous être fait une idée de l’importance du phénomène à l’aide des informations nouvelles que nous avons générées par notre propre enquête, nous apportons une explication au phénomène observé. L’analyse théorique se fait sous l’angle de la création de valeur actionnariale, en recourant conjointement aux théories contractuelles et cognitives. Les théories sociologiques des réseaux viennent compléter les principaux arguments de ces deux cadres théoriques. Le modèle explicatif qui en découle est ensuite mis à l’épreuve empirique à l’aide d’une étude multi-méthodes à visée infirmationniste, combinant une analyse économétrique et une étude de cas multiples. Nos résultats permettent de conclure que les sociétés françaises de capital-investissement jouent un rôle tant intentionnel que non intentionnel dans la formation d’alliances stratégiques pour leurs participations. Ces rôles mettent en avant une intervention tant passive qu’active des sociétés françaises de capital-investissement. Bien que l’argumentation cognitive trouve, dans son ensemble, plus de support que l’argumentation contractuelle, l’analyse fait ressortir l’intérêt de recourir à une utilisation conjointe des théories contractuelles et cognitives qui se révèlent complémentaires. / This research analyses the role of Private Equity firms in the formation of strategic alliances within the field of the French Private Equity market. We start to provide evidence of its importance from new survey information, before offering an explanation of the organizational phenomenon. The study addresses the questions of how and why Private Equity firms act as relational intermediaries to help their portfolio companies form alliances. Both questions are investigated in the light of the Private Equity firms’ contribution to the value creation process that comes with alliance formation. Answers are provided by means of three jointly used theoretical frameworks: (1) mainstream theories (transaction cost theory and the positive theory of agency); (2) the knowledge based view; and 3) social network theories to complement the resulting from jointly use of the previous two theories. The theoretical construct is then tested empirically by means of a multi-method study with explanatory design, based on the pattern of joint evidence from both statistical tests and a multiple case study. Results show that French Private Equity firms do play a role in alliance formation. This role can be intentional as well as non-intentional. Furthermore, although arguments from the knowledge-based perspective finds more support in explaining this behavior than from the mainstream theories, our study highlights the benefits of the joint use of these theories and the complementary nature of them to better explaining the phenomenon as a whole.

Cette thèse a pour objectif principal d’apporter une contribution à la littérature concernant la structure et l’efficacité du conseil d’administration (CA). Elle s’articule autour de quatre chapitres. Le premier chapitre est une revue de la littérature, tandis que les trois autres portent sur des questions de recherche distinctes. La première étude présentée dans le deuxième chapitre de cette thèse a pour objectif d'étudier les déterminants de la taille du CA, de l'indépendance de ses membres et de la dualité des fonctions de direction et de présidence du CA. Les principaux apports de cette étude peuvent être résumés comme suit : tout d'abord, nos résultats sont fondés sur l'analyse d'un des plus grands échantillons utilisés dans ce domaine, avec à peu près 16000 observations (entreprises-années) pour près de 2300 entreprises américaines observées de 1997 à 2010. De plus, sur le plan méthodologique, une batterie de tests statistiques a été réalisée afin de vérifier la robustesse de nos résultats, notamment des tests tenant compte des biais d'hétérogénéité et de simultanéité. Enfin, cette étude est probablement la première à démontrer que le passage de la loi SOX a limité la capacité des dirigeants à influencer la composition du CA. La deuxième étude s’attache à analyser les deux principales fonctions du CA, qui sont le conseil au chef d'entreprise et le contrôle de ses activités. Ainsi, comprendre la capacité du CA à remplir ces fonctions est une question fondamentale que nous nous proposons d’approfondir. Cette étude vient enrichir la littérature émergente sur la fonction consultative du CA en fournissant de nouveaux éléments de preuves sur l'importance de cette fonction dans la création de valeur de l'entreprise. Ces résultats apportent également des éclairages sur le conflit potentiel existant entre les deux principales fonctions du CA. Enfin, cette étude s'inscrit dans le courant de pensée qui cherche à évaluer l'impact des caractéristiques des entreprises sur l'efficacité de leurs structures de gouvernance. Le principal objectif de la troisième étude présentée dans le dernier chapitre de cette thèse est de déterminer si la rémunération à base d’actions des administrateurs peut affecter les décisions futures en matière d'acquisition, et le cas échéant, comment. Les résultats de cette étude apportent un nouvel éclairage concernant la rémunération des administrateurs. Cette étude met en exergue l'importance des pratiques de rémunération incitative sous forme d’actions et d’options pour les membres du CA. Par ailleurs, bien que de nombreuses études aient été réalisées afin d'analyser la relation existante entre les mesures incitatives à destination des administrateurs et la performance de l'entreprise, notre étude est l'une des premières à explorer les mécanismes à travers lesquels ces mesures peuvent influencer la valeur de l'entreprise. / This thesis aims at providing contributions to the existing literature on the structure and effectiveness of corporate boards. It comprises three essays that address distinct research questions. The first study examines the trends and determinants of corporate board structure using a panel data sample. This study extends the existing literature on the determinants of board structure in three important ways. First, our results are based on one of the largest samples used in this area, with almost 16,000 firm-year observations for nearly 2,300 firms observed from 1997 to 2010. Second, in terms of methodology, a set of statistical tests was performed in order to check the robustness of our findings, including tests that account for heterogeneity and simultaneity. Finally, this is probably the first study to show that the enactment of SOX has reduced the ability of CEOs in influencing board composition. Specifically, while SOX does not fundamentally alter the economic determinants of board structure, our results show that the documented negative impact of well performing CEOs on board independence in the pre-SOX era is no longer significant post-SOX. In the second study, the principal objective is to investigate the effects of advisory directors' presence on the board and monitoring intensity on the board's overall effectiveness in value creation. This study makes some significant contributions to the literature. First, it complements and extends the growing literature on the board's advisory function by providing strong new evidence on the importance of this board function in value creation. Second, it also provides some evidence on the potential conflict between the two primary functions of corporate boards. Finally, this study adds to the literature that attempts to assess the impact of firm and industry characteristics on the effectiveness of specific governance structures. The last study has as main objective to examine the relation between director compensation structure and shareholder interests in the context of acquisitions. This study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, we add to the recent but burgeoning literature that deals with the determinants of director compensation. Guided by theoretical work in this area, we show that director compensation is mainly consistent with firm's needs for monitoring and advising. Second, we extend the body of research that highlights the importance of equity-based compensation by providing evidence that the use of incentive-based compensation schemes to reward directors also matters. Finally, although many studies have examined the relation between directors' incentives and firm performance, this work is one of the first to examine the channels through which directors' equity-based pay affects shareholders' value.