Corporate Governance D, 7.5 Credits

Contents

Corporate governance is concerned with the management of interactions between dispersed 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 given an overview of theoretical perspectives influencing regulatory practices as well as recent trends related to corporate governance.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Describe why corporate governance has been deemed important by both policy makers and business leaders.
• Use various theoretical perspectives in defence of regulatory practices and explain how these mechanisms are intended to improve company performance.
• Assess the  roles of different governance bodies charged with corporate governance responsibilities within the company (e.g. boards of directors, nomination committees, audit committees).
• Compare and contrast different regulatory systems intended to improve corporate governance practices in different countries; assessing the advantages and disadvantages of each from various theoretical perspectives
• Assess the limits of corporate governance and evaluate corporate governance practices in real firms.
• Evaluate corporate governance regulatory schemes from the perspectives of ethical relativity and ethical absolutism.

Required Knowledge

University: Courses in Business Administration (75 ECTS) At Basic level (A-level) and Intermediate level (B-level) a minimum of 60 ECTS in Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance courses. At the C-level (Bachelor), a minimum 15 ECTS. Language: Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section)

Form of instruction

Lectures, seminars, written assignments are all utilized 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 and during case analyses.

Examination modes

Examination is based upon a written comprehensive individual exam and group assignments. A passing grade is required for each part

The following grading system will be used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).

In case of failure in seminar participation or individual and group assignments requests for compensating assignments should be requested within two weeks. Compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the module.

Students who fail to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written examination cannot have their results registered.

In order to pass the course, the student must  successfully complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of obtainable points for each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points available for the course.

Students who do not pass at the time of the normal written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within a month. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading examiner. 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.

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.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However, attendance at lectures is advisable as material is presented that goes beyond what can be found in the text.  This material is examinable but as learning objectives are presented for each lecture, it is possible for students to use other sources to access this material.  These sources would include the library and academic journal articles.  Attending lectures facilitates learning and an ability to more quickly grasp key elements of the learning objectives. Lectures are intended to provide not only insight but an opportunity for interactive learning among lecture participants.

Students who have passed an examination can not redo it to get a higher grading.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

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

Other regulations

This is a course at the D-level in an MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business and Economics.