FEM401 Corporate Governance

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines the fundamental theories and practices of corporate governance, including the history of the corporation, the role and structure of boards of directors, profit‑sharing mechanisms, employee and insider ownership, regulation, shareholder activism, and the governance implications of takeovers and mergers. It also addresses ethical challenges such as conflicts of interest and insider trading, as well as international governance models and emerging policy developments. The course integrates principles of responsible management by exploring how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, sustainability considerations, and stakeholder expectations shape corporate decision‑making and accountability. Corporate governance is presented through the lens of principal–agent problems arising between owners and managers, and between dispersed shareholders and concentrated block holders. Students engage with key theoretical frameworks and empirical research to understand how governance mechanisms promote transparency, ethical behavior, long‑term value creation, and sustainable organizational performance.