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MN50479: Global governance and accountability

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
This unit aims to introduce students to key theoretical concepts in corporate governance, and use these concepts to understand the different economic, social and political contexts across advanced industrial and emerging economies. The unit critically examines the roles of boards of directors and their role in the governance of corporations, compares and contrasts a range of theoretical perspectives on governance drawn from economics, sociology, and strategic management, and sets an understanding of corporate governance within the wider social, political and economic systems within which companies operate.

Learning Outcomes:
This unit should provide students with an appreciation of key concepts in corporate governance, and enable students to describe key aspects of corporate governance systems in a number of different countries, and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of these systems in comparison. Students should gain greater appreciation for the importance of social and political factors in shaping different models of firm organization across countries, and critically understand how new social science concepts were developed in response to changes in the real world of business management.

Skills:
Critical and creative writing: developing the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, and generalise appropriately (F, A)
Application of theories from economics, law, political science and sociology to real world cases (T, A)
Ability to conduct research into business and management issues through research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting (F).
Data analysis: using information and knowledge effectively, organising data, synthesising and analysing (T, A)

Content:
The unit outlines key theories in the field of corporate governance, such as the agency, stewardship and stakeholder perspectives. It explores key dimensions of corporate governance in an internationally comparative perspective, outlining key differences around the world in patterns of ownership, the role and structure of boards, executive compensation and careers, the market for corporate control, and forms of employee participation. Different public policy approaches will be explored critically with regard to law, politics, culture, and other institutional factors. The unit will also look at selected countries in depth, including the UK, USA, Japan, Germany, and emerging economies such as China.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50479 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management

MN50479 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.