INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - 2019/0

Module code: MANM202

Module Overview

Corporate Governance is an area that has grown rapidly in the last few years fuelled by high profile corporate collapses and financial crisis. The module builds on sound theoretical base to encompass the latest developments in the field worldwide.  It takes an international approach to corporate governance, contextualising its development and providing a stimulating range of academic and empirical practitioner research, and topical case studies.  It also introduces institutional and legal systems from both government and firm’s viewpoints that influence the effectiveness of corporate governance.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

KARAMPATSAS Nikolaos (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 114

Lecture Hours: 24

Tutorial Hours: 12

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content


  • The nature of modern corporations and the evolution of corporate governance

  • Financial management accounting and corporate governance

  • Corporate governance and corporate objectives

  • Theories of corporate governance

  • Development of corporate governance codes and corporate governance rating

  • Directors and Board Structure

  • Executive remuneration

  • Institutional investors and other stakeholders

  • Private Equity and the modern corporation

  • The Role of Gatekeepers in corporate governance

  • Auditing and corporate social responsibility

  • International corporate governance development


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework GROUP COURSEWORK - ( PRESENTATION AND CASE STUDY, 4000-6000 WORDS) 50
Examination EXAM - 2 HOURS - CLOSED BOOK 50

Alternative Assessment

If reassessment is required the group coursework including the presentation will bereplaced by an individual assignment (2000 words)

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to obtain advanced knowledge and a balance between theoretical understanding and application of theories to business practices. This can be achieved by reading through textbooks and other academic journals, and by improving their collaboration and communication skills.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Coursework of 4,000-6,000 words and Group Presentation (50% of the total mark), which gives the opportunity to students: 1) to learn how to search the electronic library in order to find academic articles which are necessary to write the assignment, 2) to improve their communication skills, as they have to present their work in front of other students, 3) to improve their team-working skills, as this is the product of a collaborative effort and 4) to learn how to conduct efficient time-management, as they need to manage their time as a team in order to have the work ready by the assignment’s deadlines.




  • Exam, which accounts for the 50% of the total mark and is based on a combination of discussion-type, multiple-choice and fill-in-blank questions aiming at the conceptual and critical understanding of corporate governance theories and practice.



The exam takes place after the 11 teaching weeks.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive verbal feedback on their performance during the tutorials, and written feedback through SurreyLearn

Module aims

  • This module aims to discuss financial economics theories which constitute theoretical foundation of corporate governance.  The theoretical study is supported by empirical evidence worldwide in which corporate governance develops by examining institutional structure and capital market for various countries at macro level and the firms' structure which influence the effectiveness of corporate governance at micro level.  The module is designed as a substantial course in finance and accounting at Master’s level appropriate to degrees in Accounting and Finance, generic Business and Management Studies and MBA.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
1 Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of essential components of modern corporate governance and the related current research. KCT
2 Explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and contradictions of the current academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be capable to identify open questions for their own research. K
3 Demonstrated ability to learn and work independently in corporate governance, exercising critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex situations. KC
4 Used specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in the analysis of relevant specific problems in corporate governance. KC
5 Had the opportunity to apply problem solving and analytical skills to issues in corporate governance. KC
6 Written Communication – e.g. by writing summative assignments KCT
7 Interpersonal Communication – e.g. by actively participating in lectures and seminars; by preparing and giving group presentations; by writing a group essay. KCT
8 Oral Communication – e.g. by presenting in seminars. KCT
9 Teamwork – e.g. by preparing for seminars in groups. KCT
10 Planning, Organising and Time Management – e.g. by preparing work for seminars; downloading handouts before relevant lectures; managing the deadlines for summative work. KCT
11 Problem Solving and Analysis – e.g. by using a logical and analytical approach to answer questions in preparation for seminars and paper discussions. KCT
12 Using Initiative - e.g. by organising teamwork and group presentations; searching relevant literature and information in preparation of summative work. KCT
13 Numeracy – e.g. by being exposed to empirical applications in finance; applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of tutorial questions. KCT
14 Computer Literacy – e.g. by word-processing summative assignments; accessing and downloading from SurreyLearn teaching material; using e-mail to communicate with tutors and other students; using library on-line facilities and the web to search for literature. Finally, making use of the School Finance Databases, such as Bloomberg, Compustat, CSMAR, and Datastream. KCT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to allow students to come to grips with the essential quantitative nature of the subject, and more importantly, to facilitate the application to practical problems.

The teaching and learning methods include:


  • Formal lectures

  • Presentations to reinforce and test learning

  • Use of SurreyLearn to facilitate teaching, enhance the learning outcomes and direct students to the relevant reading in the set textbooks and in journal articles.


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM202

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Accounting and Finance MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Investment Management MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
International Financial Management MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
International Corporate Finance MSc 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.