Two models of the firm dominate corporate law. Under the management-power model, decision-making power rests primarily with corporate insiders (officers and directors). The competing shareholder-power model defends increased shareholder power to limit managerial authority. Both models view...

Many firms tout their commitment to diversity, sometimes appointing racial minorities to their board of directors. We find that firms with more minority directors are associated with greater innovation output. Using patent-inventor information, we uncover an important yet previously...