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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 27 No. 2 1990

ESOPs and corporate control

Lilli A. Gordon1; John Pound2

1 Analysis Group, Inc., Belmont, MA 02178, USA · 2 Harvard University

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) on shareholder wealth. ESOPs established in the presence of takeover activity reduce share values, by approximately 4% on average. ESOPs also reduce share values if they are structured to transfer control away from outside shareholders, by creating a new ownership block with veto power over takeover bids. Large ESOPs established with nonvoting stock, so as to preclude any immediate control transfers, result in a significant increase in share values. The wealth effect of any given ESOP thus depends upon both its incentive and control effects on the corporation.

DOI
10.1016/0304-405x(90)90066-9
Volume
27
Issue
2
Pages
525-555
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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