EXC 3632 Corporate Governance

EXC 3632 Corporate Governance

Course code: 
EXC 3632
Department: 
Law and Governance
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Knut Sogner
Course name in Norwegian: 
Corporate Governance
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
BBA - Specialisation in International Business
Semester: 
2025 Spring
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

The aim of the course is to introduce the students to the importance of corporate governance in developing sustainable business enterprises. Recent experiences in Norway and other countries have highlighted the effect that poor corporate governance can have on firm performance, survival and reputation. Today, not only investors, but also public authorities and high performance employees are examining a company's corporate governance and control systems before committing to that firm. This course examines the evolving view of corporate governance in a global perspective, and discusses if sustainability challenge is a possible game changer when it comes to corporate governance.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

After completed course students shall have learned of:

  • Basic corporate governance concepts and theories
  • International and national standards for corporate governance
  • Corporate governance mechanisms and processes
Learning outcomes - Skills

After completed course students shall be able to:

  • Analyze the incentives and payoffs of different corporate structures
  • Use corporate governance analytical tools
General Competence
  • Respect for the ethical issues in corporate governance
  • Understanding of sustainable business practices both in economic, social, cultural and environmental terms
Course content
  • Introduction
  • The emergence of corporate governance
  • Comparative corporate governance
  • The ideal of maximising shareholder value
  • Corporate governance and corporate law, the Norwegian experience
  • Corporate law and the composition of boards, the Norwegian experience
  • Strategy and innovation
  • Selection and removal of board members
  • Selectrion and compensation of CEOs and the question of shareholder value
  • Value measurements, mergers & acquisitions
  • Gender and diversity
  • Shareholding
  • Pupose, value, and good and bad behaviour
  • Wrapping up
Teaching and learning activities

The course is focused on a comparative approach to corporate governance and encourages and demands the students to formulate informed opinions about why corporate governance practices differ between nations.

Students are expected to participate actively in class and to have completed the reading assignments before each class. They will be encouraged to present their views on the topics as the course progresses. All important topics will be covered in lectures. In addition to the lectures asynchronous material is added, primarily to facilitate a practical understanding of the corporate governance.

There will be a mid-term exam, which counts for 30 % of the total grade, and a final written digital school exam, which counts for 70 % of the total grade. It is recommended that the students work in groups of three on the mid-term exam. All partial exams must be passed to achieve a final grade in the course.

Computer-based tools: It's Learning, Word, Excel, Powerpoint/Prezi etc. Youtube, other tool introduced if needed.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Required study progress for BBA-degree.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
30
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
2 Month(s)
Comment: 
Mid-term examination
Exam code: 
EXC 36323
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Exam category: 
School Exam
Form of assessment: 
Written School Exam - digital
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
70
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • No support materials
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
EXC 36324
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
30 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
20 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
60 Hour(s)
Group work / Assignments
80 Hour(s)
Feedback on proposal.
Digital resources
10 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.