Olympus Turmoil Shows Independent Oversight is Critical at Japanese Firms

Posted: 28 Oct 2011

Date Written: October 21, 2011

Abstract

Drawing from the boardroom clash between the chairman and the CEO at camera and digital equipment manufacturer Olympus, this commentary argues that independent directors are needed at Japanese companies not only to oversee management and hold them accountable but to mediate disputes involving senior-most individuals. This can help to protect the weaker party from abusive power plays and prevent conflicts from spilling out into the open.

Keywords: Board conflicts, independent board oversight, Japan

JEL Classification: G34

Suggested Citation

Wong, Simon C. Y., Olympus Turmoil Shows Independent Oversight is Critical at Japanese Firms (October 21, 2011). Harvard Business Review Online, October 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1947766

Simon C. Y. Wong (Contact Author)

Northwestern University School of Law ( email )

375 E. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

London School of Economics

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/staff/simon-wong.htm

Tapestry Networks ( email )

404 Wyman St.
Suite 225
Waltham, MA 02451
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,290
PlumX Metrics