4.1.1 General characteristics

Consultation and consensus

Dutch directors like to reach and maintain consensus. They consult readily, rarely debate principles and conduct their discussions at a pragmatic level. All participants are free and have an equal voice; relations are open and direct and there is little hierarchy.

Plurality of interests

Water, dikes and a densely populated country of semi-sovereign cities have contributed to a tradition of taking into account a variety of sometimes mutually opposing interests; concerns about the environment and the wellbeing of employees are important

Two-tier board system

There is a long tradition of supervisory directors, who monitor at a distance from management directors; they were and are supposed to take all interests of the enterprise into account, not only those of the shareholders.

Oligarchic tendencies

Board members have always been well protected and have often been able to co-opt their successors either directly or indirectly also with help of supervisory directors. In the early years of the 21^st century shareholders have acquired more influence, which has been a shock to many directors.