Corporate Governance (CG) is a key part of the pursuit of proper and efficient practice of business. This module develops the learners awareness and understanding of a range of current ethical and governance issues in relation to business and also the relationship between business and society. Using case study approaches and in class discussion students are exposed to developing their understanding of what Corporate Governance is, its purpose, and how it is practiced. Students are also engage with a variety of ethical theories, these are then utilized to evaluate organisational, managerial, and industry contexts. Peripheral topics related to CG and business ethics such as CSR, sustainability, and whistleblowing are incorporated to the module as appropriate.
Ethical concepts and Theories
Nature of Ethics. Ethical Theories. Teleology. Utilitarianism. Deontology. Kant. Social Justice. Virtue Ethics.
Ethical decision making
Ethical Decision making models. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development.
Nature of Business Ethics. Arguments for & against Business Ethics.
Ethics in Practice
Common Ethical problems. Individual and situational influences on ethical decision making. Approaches to ethics in organisations – Compliance & Integrity based approaches. Culture of ethics in business
Corporate Social Responsibility
Nature of Corporate Social Responsibility. Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility. Stakeholder Theory. Shareholder Theory. Corporate Social Responsibility and financial performance. Corporate Social Disclosure.
Overview of Corporate Governance
Nature of Corporate Governance. History & development of Corporate Governance. Principles of Corporate Governance. Impact of Corporate Governance.
Corporate Governance Concepts and Theories
Theories of Corporate Governance. Agency Theory. Corporate Governance and Peformance.
Board of Directors
Directors & Board Structure. Roles, duties and responsibilities of Board of Directors. Non-executive directors. Directors remuneration.
Corporate Governance in Practice
Systems of Corporate Governance. Corporate Governance in the UK and Ireland. Combines Code of Corporate Governance.
Sarbanes Oxley
Sarbanes Oxley, impact of the legislation, arguments for and against legislation for corporate governance
The module will incorporate a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, case studies, class discussion, group conversation and discourse, and e-learning. The learning environment will be practical and integrative, using the theory to develop evaluations and potential solutions to real world ethics and governance problems.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 70 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 30 |