Corporate Governance D, 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 in the field of social science whereof 30 credits courses in business administration including financial accounting/Management Accounting or equivalent.

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 at the time of the written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within two months. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, the Director of Studies may decide on other forms of examination

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the module. Mandatory assignments (seminars, written assignments, cases, computer assignments etc.) that have not been handed in within stipulated time must be done the next time the course is offered. If the form of examination does not permit repetition other forms of re-examination may be used.

Exceptions from examination form as stated in the syllabus can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support for disabilities. Individual adaptations of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form shall be adapted within the framework of the expected learning outcomes stated in the course syllabus. At the request of the student, the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, must promptly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision must then be notified to the student.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

A student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grade.

If a student fails to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written exam in an exam room will not be allowed to take the exam.
Disciplinary action may be taken against students who uses unauthorized help aids or in some other way tries to mislead on a test or when another type of task is being evaluated. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the thesis manual, Thesis Writing in Business Administration). Urkund records may be used for control. In addtion, Umeå University rules and regulations  for education and research applies.

Educational activities are designed to facilitate students towards achieving expected learning outcomes and can explain, supplement and provide contrast to the course literature and other relevant course materials.

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.