title: Path dependence or convergence? The evolution of corporate ownership around the world

authors: Yeh, Andrew Jia-Yuh

subjects: ownership dispersion

abstract: We offer a model that sheds light on the debate over whether corporate ownership concentration converges to the Berle-Means image. Our model takes into account the importance of both legal rules and firm-specific arrangements. Our analytical result is that share ownership concentration either persists or falls depending on the relative importance of these protective arrangements. In particular, our model predicts: (a) diffuse corporate ownership in nations that impose legal limits on blockholders’ clout to expropriate minority shareholder rights, and (b) concentrated corporate ownership in nations that rely on asset specificity as a form of investor protection. 
Our empirical work suggests partial convergence toward Berle-Means diffuse share ownership. It is thereby reasonable to infer the existence of path dependent forces on ownership concentration. But this result does not preclude the possibility of functional convergence or convergence to the diffuse form of share ownership via cross-listings on the major U.S. stock exchanges that impose stringent disclosure and listing requirements. In essence, these results suggest a case for the co-existence of the preexisting path-dependency and functional-convergence stories.

text: Path dependence or convergence? The evolution of corporate ownership around the world We offer a model that sheds light on the debate over whether corporate ownership concentration converges to the Berle-Means image. Our model takes into account the importance of both legal rules and firm-specific arrangements. Our analytical result is that share ownership concentration either persists or falls depending on the relative importance of these protective arrangements. In particular, our model predicts: (a) diffuse corporate ownership in nations that impose legal limits on blockholders’ clout to expropriate minority shareholder rights, and (b) concentrated corporate ownership in nations that rely on asset specificity as a form of investor protection. 
Our empirical work suggests partial convergence toward Berle-Means diffuse share ownership. It is thereby reasonable to infer the existence of path dependent forces on ownership concentration. But this result does not preclude the possibility of functional convergence or convergence to the diffuse form of share ownership via cross-listings on the major U.S. stock exchanges that impose stringent disclosure and listing requirements. In essence, these results suggest a case for the co-existence of the preexisting path-dependency and functional-convergence stories.

year: 2007-12

title: An investigation into battered women’s shelters: feminist cooperatives or social service institutions, case studies of Canada and New Zealand

authors: Gilson, Dorothy

abstract: The battered women’s movement has faced challenges and experienced tensions. The establishment of ongoing government funding for the battered women’s movement was significant as shelters which were established as feminist collective organisations were transformed into hierarchical and bureaucratic organisations. This study has examined both the external constraints and the internal dynamics that have impacted on the movement’s transformation through two case studies, one Canadian transition house and one New Zealand refuge. More specifically the study has explored the influence of external funding and internal factors on the social change agenda that feminist collective organisations support.

The study has drawn on empirical and historical data derived from the transition house and the refuge and from documents and the academic/research literature. These have provided an understanding of the impact of the external environment, particularly governments, (and in New Zealand the influence of the refuge movement, through the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges Inc. (NCIWR)) on the two shelters. The study examines to what degree they have been able to balance the exacting requirements that governments impose whilst remaining feminist organisations and social change agents.

The relationship with the external environment (that is, with governments and non-government organisations) impacted differently for the transition house and the refuge in the study. The transition house focused on sustainability issues by ensuring that it maintained and expanded its resource base. In its engagement practices with government it sought and negotiated opportunities for expanding services for battered women and children as well as promoting feminist principles. Internally the transition house accommodated the characteristics of bureaucracy within its operations, its service delivery models and its staff, as it met the challenge of changes in women’s needs and responded to funding opportunities and requirements. For the refuge, which was undergoing transformation during the research period, it was the tensions that were salient as a result of bureaucracy replacing a collective structure. The internal changes were influenced by the external environment which through government and non-government intervention imposed governance, administrative, financial and service delivery requirements within a funding environment that prohibited innovation and participation. These changes strained the refuge’s internal governance/staff relationship and undermined its feminist framework, which was the justification for the original structure and practice.

When feminist organisations and the battered women’s movement experience transformation processes they may increase internal conflict and organisational instability with the loosening of shared values and experiences and a breakdown in participatory and collaborative systems. Although transformation processes may be detrimental to these organisations due to the bureaucratic and hierarchical structures instituted, there can be positive outcomes. Government funding provides stability and sustainability. Bureaucratic structures can provide effective infrastructures for managing externally-imposed governance, administrative and service delivery systems. For feminist organisations and shelters, balancing these structures with policies and processes that reflect and reinforce their feminist philosophy and collectivity is not just an ideal, but critical. Through such expressions of strength these organisations can continue to promote social change as an organisational objective as well as using it to negotiate external constraints so that they continue to retain their autonomy and independence as well as promulgate a feminist philosophy externally.

text: An investigation into battered women’s shelters: feminist cooperatives or social service institutions, case studies of Canada and New Zealand The battered women’s movement has faced challenges and experienced tensions. The establishment of ongoing government funding for the battered women’s movement was significant as shelters which were established as feminist collective organisations were transformed into hierarchical and bureaucratic organisations. This study has examined both the external constraints and the internal dynamics that have impacted on the movement’s transformation through two case studies, one Canadian transition house and one New Zealand refuge. More specifically the study has explored the influence of external funding and internal factors on the social change agenda that feminist collective organisations support.

The study has drawn on empirical and historical data derived from the transition house and the refuge and from documents and the academic/research literature. These have provided an understanding of the impact of the external environment, particularly governments, (and in New Zealand the influence of the refuge movement, through the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges Inc. (NCIWR)) on the two shelters. The study examines to what degree they have been able to balance the exacting requirements that governments impose whilst remaining feminist organisations and social change agents.

The relationship with the external environment (that is, with governments and non-government organisations) impacted differently for the transition house and the refuge in the study. The transition house focused on sustainability issues by ensuring that it maintained and expanded its resource base. In its engagement practices with government it sought and negotiated opportunities for expanding services for battered women and children as well as promoting feminist principles. Internally the transition house accommodated the characteristics of bureaucracy within its operations, its service delivery models and its staff, as it met the challenge of changes in women’s needs and responded to funding opportunities and requirements. For the refuge, which was undergoing transformation during the research period, it was the tensions that were salient as a result of bureaucracy replacing a collective structure. The internal changes were influenced by the external environment which through government and non-government intervention imposed governance, administrative, financial and service delivery requirements within a funding environment that prohibited innovation and participation. These changes strained the refuge’s internal governance/staff relationship and undermined its feminist framework, which was the justification for the original structure and practice.

When feminist organisations and the battered women’s movement experience transformation processes they may increase internal conflict and organisational instability with the loosening of shared values and experiences and a breakdown in participatory and collaborative systems. Although transformation processes may be detrimental to these organisations due to the bureaucratic and hierarchical structures instituted, there can be positive outcomes. Government funding provides stability and sustainability. Bureaucratic structures can provide effective infrastructures for managing externally-imposed governance, administrative and service delivery systems. For feminist organisations and shelters, balancing these structures with policies and processes that reflect and reinforce their feminist philosophy and collectivity is not just an ideal, but critical. Through such expressions of strength these organisations can continue to promote social change as an organisational objective as well as using it to negotiate external constraints so that they continue to retain their autonomy and independence as well as promulgate a feminist philosophy externally.

year: 2001

title: Educational leadership and Māori communities’ involvement in their children’s schooling

authors: McMillan, Hoana

subjects: Educational leadership

abstract: The leadership of state primary schools in New Zealand is made up of Board of Trustees (BoT) members and the principal who together, play an important role in addressing take Māori – Māori issues, to enable better outcomes for Māori achievement and empowering relationships with Māori communities.  However not all schools have met their professional responsibilities to provide a learning environment that promotes the success of their Māori students (Education Review Office, 2010) therefore an important question for Māori communities to contemplate is whether they need to take up a more active role in ensuring accountability from these parties, as well as actively contributing to efforts to ensure better outcomes for their children.
The case studies presented in this thesis examine two successful mainstream primary schools identified as doing well in terms of Māori achievement and empowering relationships with their Māori communities.  It explores the knowledge of Māori Board of Trustees Members (MBTMS) and also their perceptions of what Māori communities know regarding school leadership and policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities.  It also explores the knowledge of their school leadership in terms of leadership that works well with Māori communities, and how Māori communities might work alongside school leadership effectively.  The case studies were conducted in a kaupapa Māori framework where the collection and analysis of qualitative data included school documents, observations of Boards of Trustees (BoT) meetings, information about professional development relating to Māori achievement and or Māori communities, and semi-structured interviews with the MBTMS and principals.
The literature review highlighted the relationship between the role of principals and their knowledge of Māori perspectives toward meeting outcomes for Māori achievement and empowering relationships with Māori communities. It also highlighted the role of the BoT and the implications of ethnicity and of legislation toward meeting these outcomes.  Lastly it highlighted the evolution of whānau roles within education, and the ability of whānau to challenge school leadership towards meeting these outcomes.
The findings from the case studies indicate that the knowledge of MBTMS with regards to the roles of school leadership and policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities were consistent with the structure of partnerships within their school leadership.  The knowledge of school leadership across the case studies regarding leadership that works well with Māori communities is consistent with traditional whānau roles within education where there is emphasis on the well-being of Māori, creating the following conditions of school culture and climate within their schools – Whakamana Tangata – Acknowledging People, Whakamana Whānau – Acknowledging Family, Whakamana Tikanga, Acknowledging Protocol, Whakamana Reo – Acknowledging Language, Matauranga Māori – Knowledge of Māori worldviews, Pono – Trust, and Manaaki – Care.
The study suggests further research examining what Māori community members, beyond MTBMS, know about the role of school leadership and of policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities, and how Māori communities might envisage working alongside school leadership.  However, this study does offer a useful point of reflection and discussion for school leadership interested in improving their practice toward better outcomes for Māori.

text: Educational leadership and Māori communities’ involvement in their children’s schooling The leadership of state primary schools in New Zealand is made up of Board of Trustees (BoT) members and the principal who together, play an important role in addressing take Māori – Māori issues, to enable better outcomes for Māori achievement and empowering relationships with Māori communities.  However not all schools have met their professional responsibilities to provide a learning environment that promotes the success of their Māori students (Education Review Office, 2010) therefore an important question for Māori communities to contemplate is whether they need to take up a more active role in ensuring accountability from these parties, as well as actively contributing to efforts to ensure better outcomes for their children.
The case studies presented in this thesis examine two successful mainstream primary schools identified as doing well in terms of Māori achievement and empowering relationships with their Māori communities.  It explores the knowledge of Māori Board of Trustees Members (MBTMS) and also their perceptions of what Māori communities know regarding school leadership and policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities.  It also explores the knowledge of their school leadership in terms of leadership that works well with Māori communities, and how Māori communities might work alongside school leadership effectively.  The case studies were conducted in a kaupapa Māori framework where the collection and analysis of qualitative data included school documents, observations of Boards of Trustees (BoT) meetings, information about professional development relating to Māori achievement and or Māori communities, and semi-structured interviews with the MBTMS and principals.
The literature review highlighted the relationship between the role of principals and their knowledge of Māori perspectives toward meeting outcomes for Māori achievement and empowering relationships with Māori communities. It also highlighted the role of the BoT and the implications of ethnicity and of legislation toward meeting these outcomes.  Lastly it highlighted the evolution of whānau roles within education, and the ability of whānau to challenge school leadership towards meeting these outcomes.
The findings from the case studies indicate that the knowledge of MBTMS with regards to the roles of school leadership and policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities were consistent with the structure of partnerships within their school leadership.  The knowledge of school leadership across the case studies regarding leadership that works well with Māori communities is consistent with traditional whānau roles within education where there is emphasis on the well-being of Māori, creating the following conditions of school culture and climate within their schools – Whakamana Tangata – Acknowledging People, Whakamana Whānau – Acknowledging Family, Whakamana Tikanga, Acknowledging Protocol, Whakamana Reo – Acknowledging Language, Matauranga Māori – Knowledge of Māori worldviews, Pono – Trust, and Manaaki – Care.
The study suggests further research examining what Māori community members, beyond MTBMS, know about the role of school leadership and of policies and procedures relating to Māori achievement and Māori communities, and how Māori communities might envisage working alongside school leadership.  However, this study does offer a useful point of reflection and discussion for school leadership interested in improving their practice toward better outcomes for Māori.

year: 2012