BE156-7-SP-CO:
Cases in Corporate Governance
2023/24
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
20
20 June 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MACCN440 Accounting and Finance,
MACCN441 Accounting and Finance (Including Placement Year),
MACCN442 Accounting and Finance (Including Year Abroad)
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of current issues in corporate governance theory, regulation and practice.
The module begins with a critical review of agency theory and stakeholder theory. Next, the module examines the development of codes and regulations which influence corporate behaviour, such as the Combined Code and Operating and Financial Review in the UK, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US. Finally, the module considers several case studies relating to companies where corporate governance is seen to be an issue. The case studies are designed to reinforce understanding of the conditions under which corporate governance can break down and/or promote discussion of what is involved in trying to define 'good' corporate governance.
The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of current issues in corporate governance theory, regulation and practice.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to corporate governance theory.
- Assess the benefits and costs associated with increased corporate governance regulation.
- Identify the potential reasons for corporate governance failure.
Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills)
This module facilitates the development of a range of transferable skills including:
- Written Communication: Written tasks (i.e., coursework) emphasizing coherence and clarity of ideas.
- Oral Communication Classroom interaction and group discussion.
- Research Skills Researching for, understanding, and synthesizing materials from academic/practitioner literature.
- Critical Thinking Problem-solving tasks (i.e., lectures) requiring consideration of various contextual information and issues.
- Commercial Awareness Review/discussion of real-life cases.
Given the discursive nature of the module, the assignment provides an opportunity for participants to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of key themes developed during the module. In addition, module participants will be expected to demonstrate a critical awareness of the relevant literature.
Module participants are required to choose a topic from a list which will be provided. Module participants are encouraged to discuss, at an early stage of this process, their choice with the module leader. They will also have the opportunity to discuss the merits of the approach they intend to adopt together with the development of a suitable timetable towards completion of the assignment.
This module is delivered via:
- One 1-hour lecture per week.
- One 1-hour class per week.
Students are expected to study the appropriate readings and review the relevant class topics before the class. Class participation is strongly encouraged. The classes are an important element in developing a critical awareness of the corporate governance literature.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
4,000 words essay |
|
100% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Azimjon Kuvandikov, email: azimjonk@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Azimjon Kuvandikov & Dr Chaoyuan She
ebspgtad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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