Main Field of Study and progress level:
Business Administration: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Business Administration
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 and disclosure of governance arrangements. Many countries also have corporate governance codes that public companies can or have to follow. During the course students are given an overview of theories, empirical evidence as well as regulations related to corporate governance.
Expected learning outcomes
After having passed the course, students are expected to be able to:
describe the purposes of corporate governance
explain and apply theories about the roles of different governance mechanisms in improving the performance of companies
assess the primary roles of different governance bodies within a company, such as, the board of directors, nomination committees and audit committees
locate differences between corporate governance rules in different countries and examine the advantages and disadvantages of different governance rules
explain what is meant by internal control and enterprise risk management
use financial theories and empirical studies as tools for an evaluation of corporate governance rules and practices.
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. Students are also required to have English A from Swedish gymnasium or the equivalent. Furthermore, 15 ECTS Statistics or similar and a C-level course in Accounting (15 ECTS) are recommended.
Language: Students are required to have adequate knowledge of English corresponding to English B-level at Swedish Gymnasium, or, corresponding levels in internationally recognized tests of English proficiency such as the TOEFL - minimum score 550 on paper-based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE. Alternatively 213 on computer-based test or with Internet-based Test (iBT) Total score of 79 (Writing 17 or higher); IELTS Academic Training - minimum score 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0; or University of Cambridge/Oxford Certificate in Advanced English/Certificate of Proficiency/Diploma of English Studies as well as basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency if the course is taught in Swedish.
Form of instruction
Lectures, seminars, case studies, and course papers are all utilized in this course. The core topics will be covered by lectures and seminars, in which students are expected to take an active part. Students are required to make written and oral presentations at seminars and during case analyses and to submit assigned tasks.
Examination modes
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%).
The assessment is based on a written comprehensive examination, the preparation and presentation of a tem-paper and cases. Examinations may include material from the presentations of guest lecturers, where attendance has been obligatory examination, the completion and presentation of a term.
In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given on each occasion.
In order to pass the course, the student must complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of the points of each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points on 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 2-3 weeks. 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 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.
Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments.
Guest lectures during the course might be used as basis for examination.
Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination 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 a MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business.
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
