A Strategic Approach to Corporate Governance

Book excerpt: All institutions require a framework of governance, comprising a mission to be accomplished with clear rules and recognized conventions to guide its accomplishment. This book sets the governance of companies - corporate governance - in a wider framework so that it can be appreciated as part of a long tradition and of a system that affects our lives at all levels and in most places.Corporate governance is no longer optional for businessmen - it is vital - and the events which have led to this and the approaches taken by different countries are explained by Adrian Davies. He goes on to develop a working model for introducing a system of corporate governance, as well as detailing the process of installing and maintaining it. As the title suggests, A Strategic Approach to Corporate Governance explores the link between corporate governance and business strategy, and examines the role of the board of directors in providing leadership to both processes. Moving beyond the Cadbury, Greenbury and Hampel Codes, this book outlines a stakeholder approach to corporate governance which complements the financially-focused Codes.As Sir Adrian Cadbury says in his Foreword:'Openness and accountability are the governance watchwords and ethical standards are the basis on which lasting governance systems are built. These are the lessons we have all learnt from the work which has been done worldwide on the governance of companies. Adrian Davies' book will, with advantage, help to spread corporate experience in this field to a wider range of organisations.'