This paper shows that local institutional investors are effective monitors of corporate
behavior. Firms with high local ownership have better internal governance and are
more profitable. These firms are also less likely to manage their earnings aggressively or
backdate options and are less likely to be targets of class action lawsuits. Further,
managers of such firms exhibit a lower propensity to engage in ‘‘empire building’’ and
are less likely to ‘‘lead the quiet life’’. Examining the local monitoring mechanisms, we
find that local institutions are more likely to introduce shareholder proposals, increase
CEO turnover, and reduce excess CEO pay.