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The Daily Insight

What happens when shareholders disagree?

Author

Henry Morales

Published Feb 17, 2026

If the dispute between shareholders is more related to the strategy and management of the company, such decisions being taken by the board directors, then either by an ordinary resolution by the majority of the shareholders, or by a majority of the board, the company can choose to appoint an additional statutory …

What is the creditor owner conflict?

Conflict of interests between shareholders and creditors arises when the managers make decisions for shareholders value by ignoring the interest of creditors. Both shareholders and creditors have claim on assets and earnings of the company.

What are the conflicts between stockholders and managers?

The conflicts between stockholders and the managers of a business include the following: The more money that managers make in wages and benefits, the less stockholders see in bottom-line net income. Stockholders obviously want the best managers for the job, but they don’t want to pay any more than they have to.

Why might conflicts arise between stockholders and bondholders?

Bondholders and stockholders may have interests in a corporation that conflict. Sources of conflict include dividends, distortion of investment, and underinvestment. Protective covenants in bond documents work to resolve these conflicts.

What happens if two directors disagree?

When two directors hold equal shares in a business and disagree on a matter of strategy, or they simply feel there is no future in the partnership, perhaps due to impending divorce, the situation is termed ‘deadlock. ‘ There are no additional board members to cast a vote on the next step, and stalemate ensues.

Why do the shareholders have conflict with the creditors?

Conflict of interests between shareholders and creditors arises when the managers make decisions for shareholders value by ignoring the interest of creditors. Both shareholders and creditors have claim on assets and earnings of the company. Creditors get priority for receiving their interest and principal repayment.

How can the conflict between stockholders and debtholders be mitigated?

Covenant bond agreements reduce conflicts between shareholders and bondholders. For example, corporations have an incentive to please shareholders by issuing big dividends, even if that risks their ability to pay off debt. A covenant limiting the size of dividends prevents that.

How can you reduce conflict between stockholders and managers?

Using restrictive covenants in debt agreements is an effective way to reduce conflicts between stockholders and managers.

What agency problems might occur between creditors and managers?

Agency problem is the conflict of interest between the shareholders and managers, and shareholders and creditors. It may cause difficulty in achieving the goal of shareholder’s wealth maximization. In the agency problem, Creditors are viewed as principal and the shareholders as the agent .

Can two directors get rid of a third?

You need to seek professional advice of a solicitor or an accountant. Basically the two directors who ‘get on’ have to decide whether to try to get rid of the third by either sacking him or trying to offer him an incentive to leave.

What is the relationship between shareholders and creditors?

Under the agency theory, shareholders may pay excessive dividends at the expense of creditors to maximize shareholder value when the debt contract is in place. In equilibrium, firms pay out more than the first best in the presence of the shareholder-creditor conflict.

Why can shareholders overrule directors?

If the directors have power under the company’s articles to make the decision, and (as would be usual) there is nothing in the company’s articles giving the shareholders power to overrule the directors, the answer is “not directly”. shareholders can take legal action if they feel the directors are acting improperly.