Controlling Firms Through the Majority Voting Rule
Physica A, Vol. 355, pp. 509-529, 2005
30 Pages Posted: 28 Feb 2005 Last revised: 19 May 2017
Date Written: February 28, 2005
Abstract
Pyramids, cross-ownership, rings and other complex features inducing control tunnelling are frequent in the European and Asian industrial world. Based on the matrix methodology, this paper offers a model for measuring integrated ownership and threshold-based control, applicable to any group of interrelated firms. In line with the theory on pyramidal control, the model avoids the double counting problem and sets the full-control threshold at the conservative - but incontestable - majority level of 50% of the voting shares. Any lower threshold leads to potential inconsistencies and leaves unexplained the observed high level of ownership of many dominant shareholders. Furthermore, the models leads to ultimate shareholders' control ratios consistent with the majority voting rule. Finally, it is applied to the Frère Group, a large European pyramidal holding company known for mastering control leverages.
Keywords: Corporate Control, Corporate Governance, Majority Voting Rule, Pyramidal Ownership
JEL Classification: G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation