Massmedias makt i bolagsstyrningen : Om och hur massmedial publicitet påverkar bolagsstyrningen

Sammanfattning: Background and problem: Corporate Governance is a well-known phenomenon which has been the focus of plenty of research where the board of directors and the CEO have been regarded as important actors. What's affecting decisions regarding these actors has been debated whereas media has been pointed out of having an impact. To decide whether or not media can affect Corporate Governance have shown to be problematic whereas it exists divergent views regarding this. At the same time this relationship is more explored in other contexts than the swedish one, although this one is considered suitable for this. Consequently there is a motive for examining medias impact on Corporate Governance in Sweden.   Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to explain if media has an impact on Corporate Governance at an overall level. This by developing a research method that is able to capture and measure positive and negative publicity and thereby present if media can affect Corporate Governance, as well as if some kind of publicity has a greater impact above other.   Method: A deductive approach has been used whereas agency theory has been pointed out as legitimate from an institutional logic. Also has theory about media been used and applied to the Corporate Governance field. A substantial part of the thesis has consisted of developing a method for capturing and measuring publicity in media. At the same time a great deal of the data collection occurred from annual reports regarding 55 companies listed on Nasdaq OMX Large Cap-list.   Conclusions: It has been established that the independence function of the board of directors, the compensation level and employment of the CEO is affected by media. It has also been noted that it is primarily positive publicity that affects Corporate Governance whereas it is publicity regarding the CEO that has a greater impact. Furthermore it is the CEO that is affected most by publicity in media. It can also be said that the agency logic which have been assumed to be legitimate for good corporate governance only can be considered to be so regarding some decisions.