325-325 Governance and the International Firm

Entry to this subject is restricted to students who have completed at least 75 points of commerce of which at least 25 points must be Department of Management level-2 subjects.

International firms face complex problems of governance and increasing scrutiny. Conflicts between shareholders, workforces, consumers and local communities are heightened by interactions with sovereign governments having their own legal jurisdictions, international agreements, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Within a corporate strategy framework, this subject begins with the basic concepts of stakeholder theory and corporate governance in an era of 'social responsibility', examines cases of governance failure, traces how corporations have improved transparency and accountability in response to evolving best practice, and assesses the impact of legislation and media on governance. Specific topics include ethics, corruption and cronyism, decision analysis, and environment.

• High level of development: oral communication; written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

• Some level of development: statistical reasoning; use of computer software.

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50%) and written assignment(s) totalling not more then 5000 words (50%).

To be advised.