Activist Hedge Fund Board Representation and its Impact on Corporate Strategy

Activist hedge funds have been increasingly successful at gaining board representation in firms they target. Yet, we know little as to whether activist hedge fund appointed directors can influence these firms. I propose that activist hedge fund appointed directors will be able to influence the corporate strategy of firms that they target. Specifically, I investigate and find that activist hedge fund board representation in target firms is more likely to lead to divestitures and acquisitions than target firms without activist hedge fund board representation. This paper contributes to understanding activist hedge funds and the role they play in influencing the corporate strategy of firms in which they gain board representation.