Models of Corporate Governance: Who's the Fairest of Them All?

Posted: 3 Oct 2009

See all articles by David F. Larcker

David F. Larcker

Stanford Graduate School of Business; Stanford University - Hoover Institution; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business

Date Written: January 15, 2008

Abstract

In 2007, corporate governance became a well-discussed topic in the business press. Newspapers produced detailed accounts of corporate fraud, accounting scandals, excessive compensation, and other perceived organizational failures—many of which culminated in lawsuits, resignations, and bankruptcy. Central to these stories was the assumption that somehow corporate governance was to blame. That is, there was a functional failure in the system of checks and balances established to prevent abuse by executives.

This case explores the various corporate governance systems that have been adopted in the United States and in various countries in Europe and Asia. The issues of control, director independence, auditor independence, dual-board versus unitary-board structure, comply-or-explain, and legislative versus market-driven solutions are explored. Readers are asked to evaluate what governance systems or elements they consider to be most effective. Plentiful examples--including Johnson & Johnson, BMW Group, Michelin, Heineken, Toyota, Samsung, Posco, PetroChina, Infosys, and many others - are used throughout as illustration.

Keywords: Corporate Governance, control systems, Board of Directors, auditing

JEL Classification: G3

Suggested Citation

Larcker, David F. and Tayan, Brian, Models of Corporate Governance: Who's the Fairest of Them All? (January 15, 2008). Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University Teaching Case No. CG -11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1482074

David F. Larcker (Contact Author)

Stanford Graduate School of Business ( email )

Graduate School of Business
518 Memorial Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States
650-725-6159 (Phone)

Stanford University - Hoover Institution ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business ( email )

655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States

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