Essays on corporate finance : insights on aspects of the general business environment

In order for businesses to thrive, it is important that they can operate in an optimal economic environment. Such an optimal environment allows companies to create value for society in an efficient way. In this dissertation, I investigate three aspects of the general business environment. The first essay investigates if venture capital investors obtain a return that compensates them for the risks they take in their most successful portfolio companies. The second essay assesses the impact of supportive government policies that are available to small and medium-sized enterprises on their financial performance. The third essay examines the impact of the business owner’s private wealth on the transmission of monetary policy via business credit supply.Public defense: 2021-10-26In order for businesses to thrive, it is important that they can operate in an optimal economic environment. Such an optimal environment allows companies to create value for society in an efficient way. In this dissertation, I investigate three aspects of the general business environment. The first essay investigates if venture capital investors obtain a return that compensates them for the risks they take in their most successful portfolio companies. The second essay assesses the impact of supportive government policies that are available to small and medium-sized enterprises on their financial performance. The third essay examines the impact of the business owner’s private wealth on the transmission of monetary policy via business credit supply.D