ACM001: Corporate Governance and Ethics

Module code: ACM001

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Rhianydd Dow, email: rhianydd.dow@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with a critical understanding of contemporary issues in corporate governance and accountability, with a focus on the need for ethical corporate conduct. 

The module begins with a review of corporate governance theories and development of codes and regulations, in the wake of ongoing corporate scandals. The key roles of institutional investors, board effectiveness, non-executive directors, executive remuneration, risk management, internal control and transparency in achieving good corporate governance are evaluated. An international comparative perspective enables students to evaluate a range of different corporate governance systems around the world. The evolving concept of holistic governance and the broader context of corporate governance, including the increasing need for stakeholder accountability, are examined. Illustrations from real-world practice and reference to a wide range of academic research are core elements of this module. Students are encouraged to explore how corporate governance and accountability may be enhanced and a more ethical business environment nurtured.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss key corporate governance and ethics concepts in their economic, political and legal context. 

2. Evaluate the development of corporate governance regulations, codes and practice in the UK and in an international context. 

3. Distinguish between different theoretical perspectives on corporate governance and their assumptions about key factors, motives and control mechanisms. 

4. Comment critically on current debates in corporate governance, including the growing importance of stakeholder engagement and accountability, corporate responsibility and ethical conduct to the evolution of holistic governance.

5. Discuss the importance of internal control and risk management systems and assess the appropriate basis for setting remuneration for top management.

6. Analyse the evolving role of institutional investors in enhancing corporate accountability through responsible investment and the significance of environmental, social and governance factors in investment decision-making. 

Module content

The module includes, but is not limited to, discussion and evaluation of:

• 1Theoretical frameworks for corporate governance, accountability and ethics. 
• Consequences of corporate governance weaknesses and failure. 
• The UK corporate governance framework: Codes of Practice and governance reviews. 
• Internal mechanisms: board effectiveness, the role of non-executive directors, remuneration structures. 
• External mechanisms, especially the role of institutional investors and responsible investment. 
• International corporate governance: comparative analysis. 
• Corporate governance and stakeholder accountability: holistic governance. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures are used for the exposition of the major concepts, principles and techniques under considerations. Seminars will be used for group discussions, problem solving and student presentations based on case study materials.

Study hours

At least 28 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

In addition to regular scheduled office hours, students will have the opportunity to discuss, and receive formative feedback on, their ideas for the coursework with the lecturer. Group discussion in class will also offer students the chance to receive formative feedback from peers on their developing ideas, and this will be supported by on-line discussion forums.

Reassessment

Additional costs