Michael Erkens

Dr. Michael Erkens is an Associate Professor at the Department of Business Economics within the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research focuses on corporate governance, executive compensation, and non-financial disclosure practices with a particular emphasis on ESG reporting and regulatory compliance. Affiliated with ERIM (Erasmus Research Institute of Management), he contributes to the Finance & Accounting field since 2014. His work bridges accounting theory and practice, addressing topics like mandatory vs voluntary reporting, clawback provisions, and cross-border financial communication.

Erkens completed his PhD in 2014 at Trier University with a dissertation on disclosure incentives and institutional culture. He serves on doctoral committees, notably advising Mengfan Liu (2018-2023) on financial disclosure and innovation. His research has been widely cited in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Accounting and Economics and Journal of International Business Studies, and has garnered attention from news outlets and Mendeley readership.

He actively organizes academic events, including ERIM Accounting Research Seminars and thematic workshops on topics ranging from audit oversight to investor behavior. His interdisciplinary contributions span corporate finance, disclosure policy, and regulatory frameworks, reflecting his role as a thought leader in accounting and governance research.

Erkens’ work frequently intersects with real-world regulatory changes, such as the EU’s CSRD and U.S. Dodd-Frank Act revisions. He collaborates with institutions like the Erasmus Banking Hub and contributes to policy discussions on transparency and accountability in global markets.