Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2-2014

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics

Source ISSN

0895-5638

Abstract

This paper examines advisor choice decisions by publicly traded REITs and listed property companies in Asia-Pacific real estate markets. Using a sample of 168 firms, we find robust evidence that firms strategically evaluate and compare the increased agency costs associated with external advisement against the potential benefits associated with collocating decision rights with location specific soft information. Our empirical results reveal real estate companies tend to hire external advisors when they invest in countries: 1) that are more economically and politically unstable, 2) whose legal system is based on civil law, 3) where the level of corruption is perceived to be high, and 4) when disclosure is relatively poor. Additionally, we find the probability of retaining an external advisor is directly related to the expected agency costs. Lastly, we find evidence of return premiums in excess of 13 % for firms whose organizational structure matches their investment profile. As such, we conclude that the decision to hire an external advisor represents a value relevant trade-off between the costs and benefits of this organizational arrangement.

Comments

. The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Vol. 48, No. 2 (February 2014): 271-298. DOI. © 2014 Springer International Publishing AG. Part of Springer Nature. Used with permission.

George D. Cashman was affiliated with Texas Tech University at the time of publication.

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