1. Introduction

This chapter delves into the significance of corporate governance in the wake of major corporate scandals and frauds, highlighting the need for robust governance mechanisms to protect stakeholders' interests and ensure long-term corporate survival. It provides an overview of the corporate governance framework in India, tracing its evolution and the role of regulatory bodies like SEBI. The chapter explores the motivation behind the study, focusing on the impact of corporate governance on investment, capital structure, and dividend decisions. It outlines the research objectives, including the examination of corporate governance monitoring mechanisms such as the board of directors, controlling shareholders, and auditors. The analytical framework and methodology, including dynamic panel data modeling and system GMM estimation, are discussed. The chapter also provides an outline of the book, indicating that subsequent chapters will delve into the empirical investigations of the stated research objectives. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how effective governance mechanisms can generate higher firm performance and valuation, providing a renewed business case for practicing good corporate governance.