This book uses the functional comparative method to analyse corporate boards, their regulation in law and codes, and their actual functioning in ten European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). Issues addressed include : Board structure; composition, functioning and enforcement by liability rules (in particular conflicts of interest) ; incentive structures; and shareholder activism. The book finds convergence in these European countries due to the pressure of competition, a pro-shareholder change supported by government and institutional investors and, to a certain degree, the impact of the EU. [...] The information and analysis that is contained in the general and the national reports are presented in five sections and a number of sub-sections in order to facilitate search and comparison by readers. The sections correspond to the functional problems of the board, its regulation and practice in all of the ten countries covered in this book, and not sequence and content of the different board regulations in the national company laws and corporate governance codes. @Preface
