Succession for Change
Harry Korine reframes the question of succession in family and founder-lead businesses as an issue of entrepreneurial choice, concentrating on the challenge of succession for change as opposed to the traditional focus on succession for continuity. It is inevitable that when the leaders of family and founder-lead businesses look to pass on the mantle they naturally want to preserve and maintain the firm they have worked so hard for so long to build up. The shaping influence of family or founder, and the instinctive emotional desire for legacy easily sways succession towards continuity rather than the possibly radical development the business may need to meet new challenges. Succession for Change shows how competitive advantage has evolved over the last twenty-five years and examines the approaches being adopted by current business leaders, succession service providers and the next generation to address the change imperative in succession. Korine’s rigorous research and deeply practical approach shows that when change becomes the focus of succession, and developing entrepreneurial values takes precedence over preserving the status quo, succession planning can ensure that firms not only survive the departure of their founders but thrive long after they have gone. He offers a framework for implementing succession as transformation, and rethinking succession governance. The secret is enabling the next generation of leaders to stand on the shoulders of giants rather than be constantly doomed to stand in the shadow of giants.
Board ViewsThe Thinking Board in the Age of AI
Boards today confront a paradox. On the one hand, they operate in an environment of radical complexity. On the other hand, directors remain human—bounded in their rationality, limited in their ability to process information, and prone to biases that shape judgment in systematic ways. Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to change this equation. By extending the reach of human cognition, they enable boards to move from a world of structural information asymmetry toward one of intelligence symmetry. Yet technology alone cannot guarantee better governance. What is needed, therefore, is the thinking board that debates assumptions, grounds itself in data, deliberates inclusively, and sustains dialogue with its stakeholders.
Board ViewsFrom Information Asymmetry to Intelligence Symmetry: How AI Will Reshape Corporate Governance
Information asymmetry has long been a central challenge in corporate governance, leading to misaligned incentives, agency problems, and reduced organizational efficiency. This article explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in shifting corporate governance from regimes dominated by information asymmetries to new paradigms characterized by "intelligence symmetries." By enhancing transparency, automating oversight, and enabling predictive analytics, AI can realign stakeholder relationships and improve governance outcomes. The article provides a theoretical framework, examines real-world implementations, and discusses the limitations and ethical concerns associated with AI-driven governance. Ultimately, it argues that AI holds the power not only to improve the efficiency of governance mechanisms but also to democratize corporate oversight by making intelligence accessible and actionable across the corporate hierarchy.
Board ViewsRethinking Risk at the Board Level: From Risk Oversight to Foresight
Corporate boards increasingly face complex and dynamic risk landscapes, where traditional risk management processes excel at managing dormant risks but often fail to identify awakening risks that threaten the long-term sustainability of the firm. This paper proposes a dual-framing approach – combining “what if” and “what if not” perspectives in board decision-making – to address cognitive and procedural biases in risk governance. We integrate behavioral decision theory, risk governance frameworks, and fiduciary law to provide a conceptual model for improving board effectiveness. We demonstrate how dual-framing can mitigate risk traps, enhance strategic foresight, and strengthen adherence to the Business Judgment Rule. Practical implications for board governance, legal defensibility, and organizational resilience are presented.
