Corporate Governance quiz Corporate Finance Quiz On Mar 11, 2024 Share /20 1234567891011121314151617181920 Corporate Governance 20 questions in 20 minutes Answers at the end of the exam Pass Score 70% enter full-screen mode by pressing the icon located in the top- right comer of the exam 1 / 20 The primary motivation of activist shareholders is to promote : consideration of human rights in employee relations improved shareholder value environmentally sustainable business practices The primary motivation of activist shareholders is to increase shareholder value. If they feel management or the board has failed to act in the best interests of shareholders, they may attempt to force changes by gaining control of the board. (environmentally sustainable business practices) is incorrect. This is more likely to be a goal of ESG investors with an investment mandate focused on environmental factors. (consideration of human rights in employee relations) is incorrect. This is more likely to be a goal of ESG investors with an investing mandate focused on social factors. 2 / 20 Which of the following statements about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in investment analysis is correct ? ESG terminology is easily distinguishable among investors Environmental and social factors have been adopted in investment analysis more slowly than governance factors ESG factors are strictly intangible in nature The risks of poor corporate governance have long been understood by analysts and shareholders. In contrast, the practice of considering environmental and social factors has been slower to take hold . 3 / 20 Which of the following represents a responsibility of a company’s board of directors ? Enterprise risk management Implementation of strategy Considering the interests of shareholders only The board typically ensures that the company has an appropriate enterprise risk management system in place . 4 / 20 Which of the following statements concerning the legal environment and shareholder protection is most accurate ? Neither system offers an advantage over the other in the protection of shareholder interests A common law system offers better protection of shareholder interests than does a civil law system A civil law system offers better protection of shareholder interests than does a common law system A common law system offers better protection of shareholder interests than does a civil law system . 5 / 20 Which of the following scenarios can best be described as offering superior protection of shareholder interests ? When stakeholder theory prevails When common law is practiced When CEO duality is common Unlike civil law systems, common law systems provide judges with the ability to create law by setting precedents that are followed in subsequent cases. Shareholders are viewed as better protected under common law because judges may rule against management actions in situations that are not specifically addressed by statutes. (When CEO duality is common ) is incorrect. Under CEO duality, the CEO also serves as chairperson of the board. All else equal, this decreases the protection of shareholder interests in favor of those of management. ( When stakeholder theory prevails ) is incorrect. Stakeholder theory incorporates the interests of non-shareholders such as customers, suppliers, and employees. This inevitably dilutes the focus on shareholders. 6 / 20 Which statement correctly describes corporate governance ? Corporate governance seeks to minimize and manage conflicting interests between insiders and external shareholders Corporate governance complies with a set of global standards Corporate governance is independent of both shareholder theory and stakeholder theory Corporate governance is the arrangement of checks, balances, and incentives a company needs to minimize and manage the conflicting interests between insiders and external shareholders. 7 / 20 The least likely item to be a requirement for good stakeholder management is : the ability to put aside the interests of one’s stakeholder group an understanding of the interests of several stakeholder groups maintaining effective communication with other stakeholders The ability to manage the conflicting interests of company relations with stakeholders requires good communication with stakeholders and a good understanding of their various interests . 8 / 20 The type of voting that is most likely to allow minority stockholders a greater representation on the board of directors is: cumulative voting majority voting supermajority voting With cumulative voting, shareholders get a vote for each share they own times the number of director elections each year and can give all their votes to a single candidate for the board. This helps minority stockholders to get more proportional representation on the board of directors . 9 / 20 Which of the following is most consistent with good corporate governance practices ? An audit committee that benefits from the direct guidance of management All stakeholders should have the right to participate in the governance of the firm Appropriate controls and procedures to effectively manage the firm should be in place Effective corporate governance requires a system of appropriate controls and procedures to protect financial markets and investors. (All stakeholders should have the right to participate in the governance of the firm) is incorrect. Only shareholders have the right (not all stakeholders) to participate in the governance of the firm. (An audit committee that benefits from the direct guidance of management) is incorrect. The audit and compensation committees are best structured with exclusively independent directors, and no management involvement. 10 / 20 Which group of company stakeholders would be least affected if the firm’s financial position weakens ? Managers and employees Suppliers Customers Compared with other stakeholder groups, customers tend to be less affected by or concerned with a company’s financial performance . 11 / 20 An investor concerned about clean-up costs resulting from breaches in a publicly traded company’s safety standards would most likely consider which factors in her investment analysis ? Social factors Governance factors Environmental factors Material environmental effects can arise from strategic or operational decisions based on inadequate governance processes or errors in judgment. For example, oil spills, industrial waste contamination events, and local resource depletion can result from poor environmental standards, breaches in safety standards, or unsustainable business models. Such events can be costly in terms of regulatory fines, litigation, clean-up costs, reputational risk, and resource management. 12 / 20 Green finance is most likely an example of which ESG-related investment approach ? Values-based investing Negative screening Impact investing Green finance is an example of impact investing, which seeks to achieve targeted social or environmental objectives by direct investment in projects or companies. Values-based investing is used to express the moral or ethical beliefs of the investor. Negative screening refers to the practice of excluding certain sectors or companies that deviate from acceptable standards. (Negative screening) is incorrect. Negative screening refers to the practice of excluding certain sectors or companies that deviate from acceptable standards. (Values-based investing) is incorrect. Values-based investing is used to express the moral or ethical beliefs of the investor. 13 / 20 The existence of “stranded assets” is a specific concern among investors of : health care companies property companies energy companies A specific concern among investors of energy companies is the existence of “stranded assets,” which are carbon-intensive assets at risk of no longer being economically viable because of changes in regulation or investor sentiment . 14 / 20 Which of the following represents a principal-agent conflict between shareholders and management ? Multiple share classes Risk tolerance Accounting and reporting practices Shareholder and manager interests can diverge with respect to risk tolerance. In some cases, shareholders with diversified investment portfolios can have a fairly high risk tolerances because specific company risk can be diversified away. Managers are typically more risk averse in their corporate decision making to better protect their employment status . 15 / 20 The type of resolution most likely to require a supermajority of shareholder votes for passage is a resolution to: approve the choice of an auditor choose a board member acquire a company Ordinary resolutions, such as those to appoint an auditor or elect a board member, require a simple majority. Acquisitions, mergers, takeovers, and amendments to the company bylaws often require a supermajority of more than 50% for passage . 16 / 20 Which of the following is least likely to be of concern to value-based ESG investors ? Increase in risk-adjusted returns through ESG factor ranking Reduction in risks associated with increased litigation costs Avoidance of companies that conflict with moral values The objective of a value-based ESG approach is to mitigate risks and identify opportunities by analyzing ESG considerations in addition to traditional finance metrics. Avoidance of companies that conflict with moral or ethical values reflects a value-based approach. (Reduction in risks associated with increased litigation costs) and ( Increase in risk-adjusted returns through ESG factor ranking ) are incorrect. The objective of a value-based ESG approach is to mitigate risks and identify opportunities by analyzing ESG considerations in addition to traditional finance metrics. 17 / 20 Which of the following stakeholders are least likely to be positively affected by increasing the proportion of debt in the capital structure ? Shareholders Non-management employees Senior management While leverage increases risk for all stakeholders, shareholders generally benefit through higher potential returns. Senior management typically benefits through equity-based compensation. For non-management employees, equity-based compensation is likely to be small to non-existent . 18 / 20 The board of directors committee most likely to be responsible for monitoring the performance of a project that requires a large capital expenditure is : the investment committee the risk committee the audit committee The investment committee reviews proposals for large acquisitions or projects and also monitors the performance of acquired assets and of projects requiring large capital expenditures . 19 / 20 The method of ESG integration that does not exclude any sectors but seeks to invest in the companies with the best practices regarding employee rights and environmental sustainability is : thematic investing negative screening positive screening Positive screening does not exclude any sectors but seeks to invest in the companies with the best practices. Negative screening typically excludes some sectors. Thematic investing refers to making an investment in a company or project in order to advance specific social or environmental goals. 20 / 20 Which of the following statements regarding stakeholder management is most accurate ? Directors are excluded from voting on transactions in which they hold material interest The use of variable incentive plans in executive remuneration is decreasing Company management ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations Often, policies on related-party transactions require that such transactions or matters be voted on by the board (or shareholders), excluding the director holding the interest . Your score is LinkedIn Facebook Twitter VKontakte 0% Send feedback and corporate governanceCorporate Governancecorporate governance definition