Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the environment of corporate governance.
Application & Learning


Explore the need for and importance of the ethical perspectives in the contemporary organisation and examine how ethical considerations impact decision-making.

Application & Knowledge, Communication


Critically understand key principles and regulations relevant to corporate governance.

Reflection, Analysis & Communication


Demonstrate a critical understanding of the framework for ethical conduct in business and investment profession.

Analysis, Knowledge & Understanding

(1) Presentation (15 mins) (30%) (LO 2). You will be required to plan a presentation for the group with specific needs and deliver the session during class-time.

(2) An exam length: 2 hours plus 10 minutes of reading time. (70%) (LOs 1, 3-4)

In this module, you will learn the impact of ethics and corporate governance on corporations. The module will present the theoretical and practical implications of using ethics and effective governance methods for better monitoring which can, in turn, enhance firm performance.

In governance part, a range of the following topics will be covered: the relevance and importance of corporate governance; Corporate governance and firm theory; Stewardship and agency theory debate; Board of directors and committee structure and responsibility; Regulations relevant to company directors and officers; Regulations and corporate governance and reporting. The influence of corporate governance codes on board of directors' activities. External auditors and corporate governance; investors and shareholders activities; Ownership and corporate performance; Decision-making onboard reward systems: theoretical arguments and empirical evidence; Corporate control mechanism. Corporate governance in the public sector; Corporate citizenship and responsibility.

In ethics, students will be introduced to business ethics, related challenges to ethical behavior, and the role played by ethics in business. Students will also be introduced to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct with attention given to its application in real world investment cases. Further, students will be introduced to the Global Investment Performance Standards.

The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit 200 learning hours (including assessment) of which there will be 36 hours of tutor-led learning and 164 hours of independent and self-directed study. During the tutor-led learning hours, students will receive robust support through interactive tutorials where they can ask questions, clarify doubts, and receive personalized guidance on challenging concepts. These tutorials are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the material, with opportunities for collaborative learning and discussions that enhance comprehension and retention.

Whole group sessions - a series of participatory lectures will disseminate knowledge and understanding as to the foundation for a structured programme of tutorial sessions. Topical business-world examples and case studies will be used extensively to support learning.

Small group sessions - a series of weekly tutorial sessions where students will work individually and in groups on practical exercises to reinforce their learning.

The classroom delivery will be supported by materials available on the VLE to guide further self-directed study at a pace and time convenient to the student.

Students will be provided with general guidance in the module study guide and receive specific guidance and training where needed.

The tutorial sessions include case-based exercises and activities that require students to prepare work outside formal contact hours and to discuss findings with tutors and peers during the tutorial session. As such, formative feedback will be a feature of these sessions.

You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the ‘summative assessment(s) during or at the end of the module. The formative assessments may include quizzes, short essays, or problem-solving exercises, with feedback given to help students identify areas for improvement.

The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT can be beneficial in learning, however, students must adhere to the following guidelines: (i) all submitted work must be original and written by the student; (ii) if a student utilizes AI tools to generate ideas or receive guidance, this must be clearly cited in the submitted work, just as any other source would be; (iii) students should be mindful of the ethical implications of using AI in their studies, ensuring that their use of such tools does not constitute academic dishonesty.

Unit feedback:
During semester, students’ feedback on the module will be collated and distributed through University's online platform, ensuring consistency with other units and focusing on both improvement and future success. This process includes both individual feedback and cohort-wide summaries, aligning with the university's standardized approach to learning and assessment.

MAIN TEXT:
Walter A. Effross. (2022). Corporate Governance: Principles and Practice, 3rd edition. Aspen Publishsing
Linda K. Trevino, Katherine A. Nelson. (2021). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right, 8th edition. Wiley.
Mallin, Christine A. (2019) Corporate Governance, 6th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Online resources will be used, as appropriate, such as:
CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
The Global Investment Performance Standards.

Module Study Guide and Handbook
BUV Learning Resources Centre and website
BUV Canvas; Learning Management System
SU VLE
SU Library