Module Code: H7CGE
Long Title Corporate Governance and Ethics
Title Corporate Governance and Ethics
Module Level: LEVEL 7
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: Joe Molumby
Module Author: Joe Molumby
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Evaluate the key corporate governance and ethics concepts in their market and legal context
LO2 Evaluate the development of corporate governance regulations in a national and international context.
LO3 Evaluate Board architecture and the role of directors in corporate governance decision –making and accountability.
LO4 Critically assess the management of risk via internal controls, audit, and reporting requirements.
LO5 Evaluate approaches to managing ethical business practice: actors, values, motive and control
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements

Programme entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Introduction of topic • What is Corporate Governance? What is Business Ethics? What is Corporate Social Responsibility? • Summary history of topic • Outline of current issues.
Corporate governance failure: Issues from Ireland’s financial crisis
• What happened? • What were the consequences? • Which corporate governance and ethics issues were raised by the collapse of Anglo-Irish Bank, Irish Nationwide, and the near-failure of the pillar banks? • The watchdog that didn’t bark: the Financial Regulator.
Principles and models of Corporate Governance
• The role of the regulatory framework • Relevant Company Law provisions and proposed reforms • Voluntary codes: Cadbury Report The financial aspects of corporate governance, UK Corporate Governance Code 2014 • Markets and Securities regulation
Nature and Function of Boards of Directors
• Role of Board as provided for in legislation • Proposed changes arising from codification of Directors’ duties in Irish company law (Bill currently going through Oireachtas)
Duties of Directors
• Examination of the obligations of directors and the legal constraints imposed on them • directors’ duties in other jurisdictions
Internal and External Controls
• Role of Internal Audit and Audit Committee • Role of External Audit • Irish Stock Exchange Listing Requirements • Financial Reporting
Risk Management
• Internal Environment • Event Identification • Risk Assessment • Risk Response • Control Activities • Information and Communication • Monitoring
Executive compensation systems and corporate governance
• Guiding principle for Remuneration Committee – long-term interest of company • Relationship to pay / employment conditions elsewhere in company • Performance-related elements • Transparency
Good Corporate Governance – EU and global trends
• EU Action Plan on European company law and corporate governance • Basel Committee on Banking Supervision standard setting on corporate governance principles for banks
Ethical aspects of corporate governance
• Behaviours • Board architecture and processes • Vision, objectives and strategy • Values and norms • Controls and oversight
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Definitions of CSR – a contested term • Characteristics of CSR • CSR in Ireland
Enforcement of good corporate governance
• Codes of Practice • Regulatory Framework - e.g. ODCE, Central Bank • Whistleblowers.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Assessment70.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Continuous Assessment % of total: 30
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
The Continuous Assessment element of this module will be based on a case study or research project selected to give each student the challenge and opportunity of applying course and individual learning via the analysis of a significant topical issue. In presenting his/her report and findings each student should be informed by learning outcomes set out above.
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 70
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Assessment consists of a two hour examination where students are offered a choice of 6 questions and required to answer to answer 3 of these. All questions will be essay-based and will be marked according to clarity, structure, use of topical examples, reference to materials covered, theories and legislation in the field, and originality of argument.
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
Reassessment Description
Candidates will attempt the repeat assessment for the module, if they do not successfully pass the module. Learners are required to attempt all assessments attaching to a module. For those modules where all learning outcomes are assessable with a final examination, the student does not have to re-sit failed individual CA components.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Classroom and demonstrations 2 Every Week 2.00
Lecturer Supervised Learning Mentoring and small-group tutoring 1 Every Week 1.00
Directed Learning Directed e-learning 3 Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Independent learning 8 Every Week 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Calkoen, W.J.L. (2018), The Corporate Governance Review, 8th Ed. The Law Reviews.
  • Fisher, C. & Lovell, A. (2009), Business Ethics and Values – Individual, Corporate and International Perspectives, 3rd. Prentice Hall, London, UK.
  • Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S., Spence L. (2019), Business Ethics, 5TH Ed. Oxford University Press.
  • Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2010), Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization, 3rd. Oxford University Press.
  • Velasquez, M.G. (2011), Business Ethics, Concepts and Cases, 7th. 7th. Pearson Education, New Jersey, NJ.
  • Blowfield, M. and Murray, A. (2011), Corporate Responsibility – A Critical Introduction,, 2nd. Oxford University Press.
  • Ghillyer, A. (2009), Business Ethics – A Real World Approach, 2nd. McGraw Hill, New York.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • [Website], As advised during class and provided by a link on moodle under each relevant topic.
Discussion Note: