2.3. Agency Cost
Executives don’t always align their interests along with that of the shareholders. They act either to increase the
total value of the company or try to increase their personal interests at the sacrifice of the interests of the shareholders
([12]). It is generally accepted by previous studies that the interest conflict between managers and
shareholders is caused by two main reasons: 1) the managers are worried about the underperformance of the
company which could lead the take-over risk by its competitors; and 2) the compensation plan of the managers
is proportionate to the financial performance of the company ([13]).