Challenges of Corporate Governance in State-Owned Companies – Croatian Perspectives Cover Image

Izazovi korporativnog upravljanja u državnim poduzećima – Hrvatske perspektive
Challenges of Corporate Governance in State-Owned Companies – Croatian Perspectives

Author(s): Boris Crnković, Željko Požega, Domagoj Karačić
Subject(s): National Economy, Business Economy / Management
Published by: Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku
Keywords: corporate governance; state-owned companies; privatisation; state portfolio; Croatian Privatisation Fund; Agency for State-Owned Assets;

Summary/Abstract: The term corporate governance is related to the agency problem, which is also known as the principalagent problem. In the microeconomic theory the relationship between principal and agent refers to the situation when the owner of the business and the manager running the business are not the same person. In such a case ownership and management are separated, which is a good situation for managers, who can use it to promote some of their own goals which do not necessarily have to correspond to the objectives of the business, i.e. owner of the business. The term corporate governance may also include the way in which owners of the business successfully motivate managers to act in the best interest of the owner of the business, thus maximising the company’s profit. The relationship between the principal and the agent in case of state-owned companies is two-fold (citizens – politicians and politicians – managers). Therefore corporate governance in state-owned companies faces specific challenges. From the perspective of the Republic of Croatia it is clear that progress in the privatisation process cannot be expected soon due to political and economic reasons. Therefore it is necessary to ensure an efficient system of corporate governance in state-owned companies to ensure protection of the interests of the state, i.e. the citizens instate-owned companies.

  • Issue Year: 24/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 279-292
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Croatian