Publication Type

Book Chapter

Version

Publisher’s Version

Publication Date

9-2020

Abstract

This short paper reflects on corporate governance and shareholders’ rights during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown has affected the way companies’ organs operate. It is unfortunate that the pandemic took place around the critical time of year when most companies hold annual shareholders’ meetings (or general meetings). How, then, can shareholders exercise their rights? How can the board of directors and senior management function during the lockdown period? Technology naturally provides a solution, similar to online teaching and working from home. However, do virtual and remote meetings serve the purpose of having those meetings? Even when we get over the pandemic, what will the ‘new normal’ be in the future for corporate meetings? This paper seeks to explore some of these issues by using some examples from the Asian market. In the remainder of the paper, we first illustrate the traditional model of corporate decision-making by way of board and general meetings. We consider the costs of holding physical meetings and their benefits. We then briefly examine the feasibility of using electronic meetings on a normal day, and how the pandemic may shape the future use of electronic corporate meetings. We then offer some reflections for policymakers to consider.

Keywords

Courts, Singapore, COVID-19, pandemic, public health

Discipline

Asian Studies | Business Organizations Law | Public Health

Publication

Law and COVID-19

Editor

Aurelio Gurrea-Martinez, Mark Findlay and Goh Yihan

First Page

85

Last Page

93

ISBN

9781467396172

Publisher

School of Law, Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Embargo Period

4-19-2021

Copyright Owner and License

Singapore Management University

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3686357

Download

Share

COinS