Answer:
The correct word for the blank space is: increased.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Hostile Takeover is an acquisition of a target company by another biding company where the two (2) parties fail to reach a purchasing agreement or the target company is unwilling to go forward with a merger. Hostile takeovers commonly occur among public companies where owners are the stockholders represented by the Board of directors.
In the scenario, if legislation makes it more difficult for companies to get to agreements with international investors, the situation is likely leading to increase the differences between managers and stockholders because the executives will have fewer options to obtain more capital to accomplish the organization's goals.