This module examines the concepts, theories and models of corporate governance and their implications and challenges for business law and practice.
Corporate governance determines the roles, responsibilities, accountability and interaction of corporate insiders such as shareholders, directors and managers within the corporation as well as their relationship with external 'stakeholders' such as employees, creditors and consumers.
The module adopts thematic, case study and comparative approaches to corporate governance and considers the nature and goals of a corporation, ideological foundations of corporate governance and the causes of, and possible solutions to, different agency problems, goals of a corporation.
It will examine the debate between 'shareholder value' and 'enlightened shareholder value' and mechanisms for protecting various stakeholder interests. The module critically examines theoretical debates and doctrines of corporate governance in the light of regulatory responses to certain corporate crises.
The module draws on rules, practices, and materials from different national jurisdictions and international institutions and reflects some degrees of comparative analysis and interdisciplinarity. Case study exercises will also enable you to explore the approaches of different disciplines to corporate governance, including law, management, philosophy and ethics.
You will have an opportunity to discover the strengths and weaknesses of taking global, contextual and comparative approaches to corporate governance.
The module will combine elements of taught instruction and group discussion in weekly lectures and interactive seminars requiring your active participation in the whole group under guidance of the tutor.