Module ASB-2508:
Corporate Gov'nce & Regulation

Module Facts

Run by Bangor Business School

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Prof John Ashton

Overall aims and purpose

To describe and assess the principal forms of corporate governance, control and regulation both within and outside the boundaries of the firm. In this module we aim to develop a critical comprehension of how firms are led, governed and regulated internationally. Students are encouraged to reflect on how these aspects of corporate control can be enhanced.

Course content

The content may include but will not be limited to the form and functions of modern corporations, the role and purpose of economic regulation and the development and the role of corporate governance systems and codes. In this module we will explore the importance of corporate ownership and control, the role of the board and professions in corporate governance arrangements. This discussion will be augmented through consideration of the performance and remuneration of senior management and current International issues of corporate governance and regulation.

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Assessment Criteria

C- to C+

C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

threshold

D- to D+ (40-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

excellent

A- to A+ (70%+): Outstanding performance. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

good

B- to B+ (60-69%): Very good performance Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Learning outcomes

  1. Comprehend methods concerned with the assessment of both corporate governance and regulation, internal and external to the firm.

  2. Develop a critical understanding of the behaviour and form of the social, economic, political and legal systems that govern the modern firm.

  3. Understand the roles through which corporate governance is realised, including the role of the board of directors, the rights and responsibilities of company owners and the positions of other stakeholders in the firm.

  4. Examine similarities and differences which exist across different corporate governance systems in both the UK and other modern nation states.

  5. Develop an awareness of the wider regulatory environment, both within and outside the boundaries of the firm.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
ESSAY Assignment

This is an individual assignment of 1500 words considering the key issue or concern within corporate governance and regulation.

 25
EXAM Exam S2

A one and half hour long examination which considers questions considering the key learning outcomes of the module - corporate governance and regulation. The examination will contain an element of choice in terms of questions.

 75

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

It is expected private study wil be used for reading around the subject of corporate governance and regulation. Suggested reading is indicated both from the text book and further sources in each lecure. There is a detaled listing of suggested readings from the text book and other sources provided for the students on the associated blackboard site.

 75
Lecture

The module will have one 2-hour lecture per week. In this lecture the key elements and questions raised in the module are introduced and developed.

 20
Seminar

A one 1-hour seminar per fornight is provided to discuss both contemporary and historical cases of corporate governance and regulation issues. These cases are used to enable the application fo the materials introduced in the lectures and private study to be applied and considered in a context of real world business cases.

 5

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • knowledge of some of the contexts in which accounting can be seen as operating (examples of contexts include the legal, ethical, social and natural environment; the accountancy profession; the business entity; the capital markets; the public sector)
  • Framing. Through the study of economics, a student should learn how to decide what should be taken as given or fixed for the purposes of setting up and solving a problem, i.e. what the important 'parameters' are in constraining the solution to the problem. Learning to think about how and why these parameters might change encourages a student to place the economic problem in its broader social and political context. This 'framing' skill is important in determining the decision-maker's ability to implement the solutions to problems.
  • An appreciation of the nature of the contexts in which finance can be seen as operating, including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and financial institutions (e.g. the economic, legal, regulatory and tax environment, both national and international; the firm; the capital markets and the public sector).
  • An understanding of the financing arrangements and governance structures of business entities, and an appreciation of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements (e.g. decisions as to sources of finance and financial structure; the pricing of corporate securities; the market for corporate control; corporate governance structures and mechanisms; financial planning and international dimensions of finance).
  • Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Resources

Courses including this module

Optional in courses: