Corporate Governance, 7.5 Credits

Contents

Corporate governance is concerned with the management of interactions between investors and the reconciliation of possible conflicts of interest between various corporate stakeholders. The literature on corporate governance discusses, among other things, the role and responsibility of owners, the role and responsibility of boards, executive compensation, internal control, disclosure of governance arrangements as well as historical explanations about different corporate governance systems. Many countries also have corporate governance codes that public companies can or have to follow. During the course students are evaluating theoretical perspectives influencing regulatory practices as well as recent trends related to corporate governance, including sustainability and corporate responsibility.

The course is given and examined in English.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Analyze the purpose and the limits of corporate governance.
• Evaluate the primary roles of various groups tasked with responsibilities for corporate governance (e.g. boards of directors, internal committees).
• Compare the responsibilities of companies to different stakeholder groups and explain the role of stakeholders in corporate governance.
• Analyze the role of corporate governance in relation to sustainability, ethics and corporate responsibility.
• Contrast regulatory systems guiding approaches to corporate governance emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of each system from various theoretical perspectives.
• Discuss contemporary corporate governance research and its influence on practice.
• Communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing

Required Knowledge

90 credits whereof 30 credits in Business Administration, including 7,5 credits in accounting or finance. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

Learning is supported by lectures, seminars and written and oral assignments in this course. The core topics will be covered by lectures and seminars, where students are expected to take an active part. Students are required to submit assigned tasks in time and to make written and oral presentations at seminars.

Examination modes

Examination is based upon an individual written hall exam and group and individual assignments. A passing grade is required for each part of the module.

The following grading system is used:

Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).

Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity for re-examination within 2 months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, another form of examination can be used.

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than 14 days before the next examination opportunity.

Adaptations: 
Examiners may decide on deviations from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Academic integrity and cheating:
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized help aids or in some other way try to mislead in examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing is applicable to written assignments. Submitted material is subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Transfer of credits:
Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the course that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.

Other regulations

This course can not be included in the degree together with 2FE211.