Knowledge that Transforms

This paper examines the effects of macroprudential policy (MaPP) on wealth inequality using a large dataset of 171 countries. I find that, after the adoption of MaPP, wealth concentration in the treated countries increases by 3.4 percentage points in a decade. This finding is explained by a rise in the wealth share of the top 1% combined with a sharp decline in the wealth share of the bottom 50%. These effects are stronger for prudential rules based on income, particularly in advanced economies.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) misconduct often negatively impacts firms and damages their reputation. Using data on U.S. listed firms from 2002 to 2018, we demonstrate that firms are more likely to establish board interlocks with firms that have better CSR performance after a CSR-related violation than with other firms. Furthermore, this relationship is more pronounced in violating firms that have a greater incentive to maintain their reputation than in other firms. We also find that the capital market and the media react positively to board interlock announcements by violating firms. However, we find no improvement in future CSR performance or a reduced likelihood of future CSR misconduct after the formation of such board interlocks. Altogether, our findings suggest that establishing board interlocks with firms that have better CSR performance is an effective signaling strategy for reputation management for firms engaging in CSR misconduct.