This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the myriad of issues, both theoretical and practical, arising out of the current international debate on creating effective corporate governance. Next to acquiring a comprehensive overview of corporate governance, key learning objectives are to: (1) Develop a deep understanding of the key elements of corporate governance, (2) Acquire general knowledge of institutional differences in corporate governance as well as a general appreciation of many different codes of best practice worldwide; (2) Learn how to apply your knowledge and understanding of corporate governance to real-world problems, and provide well-informed advice and judgments based on relevant academic research; and (4) Learn how to effectively communicate knowledge, advice and judgments on various corporate governance issues.

Corporate governance involves a set of relationships between a company’s management, its board, its shareholders and other stakeholders, and is a key element in improving economic efficiency and growth as well as enhancing investor confidence. Corporate governance also provides the structure through which the objectives of the company are set, and the means of attaining those objectives and monitoring performance. This course examines various contemporary aspects of corporate governance, including issues relating to responsibility, accountability, sustainability, oversight, risk, ethics and incentives. The course is multi-disciplinary, integrating concepts from the disciplines of accounting, finance, law, economics, and business ethics. It will prove most useful to those seeking a thorough introduction to the subject for both academic and applied purposes.

Textbook and academic articles