The proposed Center for Corporate Governance will create a forum for the discussion and research of significant issues affecting shareholders, directors and corporate officers, Elson said. Among them are the push to make directors own stock in the companies on whose boards they serve, director compensation, corporate philanthropy, institutional investor activism and the drive for independent boards. The new center will offer conferences and workshops, as well as encouraging research and publication on corporate governance issues. One goal is to bring about changes in governance through education and discussion. I think it's a wonderful opportunity to look at the legal side and the financial side and see how corporate structure and performance interact.
Companies like to incorporate in Delaware for several reasons.
The state's 100-year body of corporate case law has become the rule in corporate America. In addition to the case law, Delaware has the specialized Court of Chancery and respected Supreme Court. Elson said he believes the state's role is only going to increase as developing economies look to the U.S. model for their emerging businesses. Indeed, there's more attention on corporate governance issues than ever before, he said, which makes the University's initiatives all that more significant.