Abstract

The aim of the thesis is to investigate the differences in perceptions towards corporate governance practices on the boards of joint ventures between international or domestic private firms and Egyptian state-owned companies using the oil and gas industry as a case study. A questionnaire was distributed to 13 oil and gas joint venture companies where 100 board members completed the survey. The study reveals the barriers hindering board effectiveness between the domestic and international board members. The differences towards governance practices do exist between local- Egyptian board members who represent the state as an owner, Egyptians representing the private partner, and foreign board members or joint venture boards. The results of the questionnaire shows that nearly half of foreign board members are not satisfied with the board composition and the capabilities of the directors which are considered an important factor in achieving board effectiveness. Nearly half of the Egyptian board members representing the private partner support the view that that the board is not allowed having an access to information in the right time, in contrast to the views of their foreign counterpart. In addition, there is a need for board members to dedicate more time to strategy, performance, talent, and risk management. Nearly half of the foreign board members support the bringing of independent directors into their boards. As for the agenda and materials preparation given to board, almost half of the foreign board members see the need for improving the preparation of board meeting materials and for actively engaging in discussions during the meetings to achieve board efficiency.

Department

Public Policy & Administration Department

Graduation Date

2-1-2015

Submission Date

September 2015

First Advisor

Ali, Hamid E.

Committee Member 1

Bhuiyan, Shahjahan

Committee Member 2

Barsoum, Ghada

Extent

152 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

I would like to extend my profoundest appreciation and gratitude to my thesis advisor Dr. Hamid E. Ali for his patience, unreserved help, tremendous supervision, positive spirit and encouragement. Without those elements, the completion of my thesis would not have been possible. Beside my advisor, I would like to express my warm and sincere thanks to my thesis committee members, Dr. Ghada Barsoum, and Dr. Shahjahan Bhuiyan for their insightful remarks. My warmest thanks to Dr. Bremer for her inspired support and guidance at the earliest stage of the thesis. She has set the foundation to start the thesis. Special thanks go to my family. I will never be able to articulate enough my deepest love for them in words. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their constant spiritual support and prayers. I thank my sister for shinning my life with her presence, innocence smile.

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