Compare and contrast the unitary (or single) board and the dual (or two-tier) board systems of corporate governance. Are there advantages or disadvantages in these configurations?

 

Write an essay of 3000 words on one of the following topics:

Essay Topics:
1. Compare and contrast the unitary (or single) board and the dual (or two-tier) board systems of corporate governance. Are there advantages or disadvantages in these configurations?
The Learning Outcomes of this assignment are intended to be your gaining of in-depth knowledge of at least one important topic in Corporate Governance. You will demonstrate a grasp of the key theoretical elements and arguments, and be able to critically discuss and evaluate their contribution to understanding the governance of corporate firms and organizations.

Marking Criteria
Essays will be marked on:
1) demonstration of analytic understanding of topic through the discussion of relevant literature, appropriate focus on core concepts and assumptions, theoretical argument;
2) quality of development of reasoned and effective discussion through ability to construct a coherent argument, critically evaluate, utilise relevant examples and or literature
3) quality of thoughtful engagement with the literature and debates discussed in the essay; ability to reflect, fairly consider, propose and express ideas.
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Useful Additional and Background Reading:

Aglietta, M. and Rebérioux, A. (2005) Corporate Governance Adrift: A critique of shareholder value, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Aguilera, R. & Jackson, G. (2003). “The cross-national diversity of corporate governance: Dimensions and determinants” Academy of Management Review, 28(3):447-465.
Alexander, J. A. & Weiner, B. J. (1998) “The adoption of the corporate governance model by nonprofit organizations”. Nonprofit Management and Leadership 8(3):223-242.
Aras, G. & Crowther, D.2010. A Handbook of Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility, Farnham UK: Gower.
Blair, M. (1995). Ownership and control: Rethinking corporate governance for the twenty-first century. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institute.
Carver, J. (2006) Boards that make a difference: A new design for leadership in nonprofit and public organizations. San Francisco, CA : Jossey-Bass.
Corbetta, G. & Salvato, C. (2004). “The board of directors in family firms: One size fits all?” Family Business Review, 17(2), pp. 119–134.
Cornforth,C. (Ed.)(2003) The Governance of Public and Non-Profit Organisations: What do boards do? London: Routledge.
Crouch, C. & Maclean, C.(eds.), (2011). The Responsible Corporation in a Global Economy, New York: Oxford University Press.
Donaldson, T. & Preston, L.E. (1995). “The stakeholder theory of the corporation: concepts, evidence and implications”. The Academy of Management Review, 20(1), pp. 65-91.
Ebner, A. & Beck, N. (2008). The Institutions of the Market: Organizations, Social Systems, and Governance, New York: Oxford University Press.
Fama, E. & M. Jensen (1983) “Separation of ownership and control”. Journal of Law and Economics, 26, pp. 301-325.
Fligstein, N. & Freeland, R. (1995). “Theoretical and comparative perspectives on corporate organization”, Annual Review of Sociology, 21, pp. 21-43.
Grandori, A. (ed.) (2004). Corporate Governance and Firm Organization, New York: Oxford University Press.
Hendry, K., & Kiel, G. C. (2004). “The role of the board in firm strategy: Integrating agency and organisational control perspectives”. Corporate Governance, 12(4):500–520.
Huse, M. (2007). Boards, governance and value creation: The human side of corporate governance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Huse, M. (ed.)(2009). The value creating board: Corporate governance and organizational behaviour, New York: Routledge.
La Porta, R., F. Lopes-de-Silanes & A. Shleifer (1999). “Corporate ownership around the world”. The Journal of Finance, 54(2):471-517.
Mallin, C. (ed.) (2006). Handbook on International Corporate Governance: Country Analyses, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Mintzberg, H. (1984). “Who should control the corporation?” California Management Review, 27(1):90-115.
Sternberg, E. (1997). “The defects of stakeholder theory”, Corporate Governance, 5(1):3-9.
Streeck, W. 2009. Re-forming Capitalism: Institutional Change in the German Political Economy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Walter, J. & Shilling, H. (2009) “UK corporate governance: a radical shift in the landscape?”, Corporate Governance Adviser, 17(5): 25-28
Whitley, R. and Kristensen. P. (eds.). 1997, Governance at Work: The Social Regulation of Economic Relations, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Useful websites:
European Corporate Governance Institute:
http://www.ecgi.org/codes/country_pages/codes_uk.htm
CalPERS http://www.calpers-governance.org/principles/domestic/
International Corporate Governance Network
http://www.icgn.org/documents/globalcorpgov.htm
Institute on Governance http://www.iog.ca/boardgovernance/index.html
Overview of Roles and Responsibilities of Corporate Boards of Directors
http://www.mapnp.org/library/boards/brdrspon.htm
The Aspen Institute http://www.aspeninstitute.org/index.asp
OECD www.oecd.org/corporate


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