Corporate Governance in Action

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Governance is about providing advice and exercising control as much as it is about efficient and effective leadership. In this course, we will study how governance structures function and how well they achieve their desired outcomes. The primary focus is the governance structure of U.S. public firms, enriched by comparisons to alternative settings, including governance when private equity and venture capital firms are involved, and nonprofit governance. The primary institutions discussed will be the board, stakeholders (broadly speaking), and management. We will review theories underlying modern governance practice, drawing from empirical insights provided by research across diverse academic fields. We will also discuss situations where boards and management teams faced governance challenges from activist investors and other actors in the market for corporate control. By the end of the course, you’ll understand the markers of good governance and how to improve it when it’s not.