Finance d’Entreprise Mémoires: A Glimpse into Research Areas

Finance d’entreprise mémoires, often translated as corporate finance dissertations or theses, represent significant research contributions within the field. They delve into various aspects of how companies manage their finances, aiming to provide new insights, solutions to existing problems, or a deeper understanding of financial dynamics.

One common area of focus is capital structure. Mémoires might investigate the optimal mix of debt and equity financing for a particular industry or type of firm. They could explore the impact of macroeconomic factors, regulatory changes, or firm-specific characteristics on capital structure decisions. Furthermore, some researchers examine the signaling effects of debt issuance or equity offerings, analyzing how these actions are perceived by investors and influence stock prices.

Investment decisions are another popular topic. This includes examining capital budgeting techniques, project valuation methods, and the impact of uncertainty on investment choices. Mémoires often explore real options analysis, considering the flexibility embedded in investment projects and how this can be valued. The role of behavioral biases in investment decisions, and how these biases can lead to suboptimal outcomes, is also a fruitful area of research.

Dividend policy remains a subject of ongoing debate and research. Mémoires may analyze the factors influencing dividend payout ratios, the information content of dividend announcements, and the impact of dividends on shareholder wealth. The increasing prevalence of share repurchases as an alternative to dividends also warrants investigation. Specifically, how companies decide between dividends and buybacks and the subsequent effect of these choices.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) provide a rich context for research. Mémoires can investigate the motives behind M&A transactions, the determinants of acquisition premiums, and the post-acquisition performance of merged entities. Research may focus on specific industries, cross-border acquisitions, or the role of private equity in M&A deals. Analyzing the synergies created (or not created) through acquisitions and the effects on shareholder value are key components.

Corporate governance plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient financial management. Mémoires might examine the relationship between board structure, ownership concentration, and firm performance. The impact of executive compensation schemes on managerial incentives and the effectiveness of different governance mechanisms in preventing agency problems are common themes. Research may explore the role of institutional investors in monitoring management and influencing corporate governance practices.

Finally, the influence of financial regulations and innovations also generates considerable research. Mémoires analyze the impact of new regulations on corporate financial decisions, such as banking regulations or environmental regulations. Innovations in financial instruments, like derivatives or structured products, and their use by corporations are also explored. This includes studies on the effective use of financial technologies (FinTech) within a corporate setting.

In conclusion, finance d’entreprise mémoires cover a broad range of topics, reflecting the complexity and dynamism of the corporate finance landscape. They contribute to the theoretical understanding of financial phenomena and provide practical insights for managers and policymakers.