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Responsible Business & Management: Accountability in the International Political Economy - MAN00069H

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module examines the demands for businesses to operate responsibly, from a political as well as an economic and environmental perspective. It considers both the social and environmental accountability of corporations, and tensions between regulation and principles of autonomous self-governance. Cases focus on both a national and international level, including MNCs and ethical conflicts that arise e.g. through trade, development and inward investment. It considers tools employed to demonstrate accountability, e.g. standards, codes, supply chain systems, and perspectives on whom corporations are accountable to. Given the way in which these social ethical demands are shaped by historical events and regulatory structures, the module does draw on historical as well as contemporary source materials. The instruments of governance are examined, including directors, organisational and financial structure, and the market for corporate control.

Module learning outcomes

  • Identify research and incorporate key resources and examples into academic examinations of corporate governance

  • Develop an understanding of the role of corporate governance codes, both formal and informal, and of unwritten approaches to the management of corporate governance.

  • Challenge the existing models of ownership, control and reward in modern capitalism.

  • Analyse the role of the corporation in modern society and the nature of the constraints it operates under

  • Critically describe the nature and process of socially and environmentally responsible management

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of governance and accountability structures in a variety of business contexts

Module content

  • Indicative content:

  • Politics, Economics & Organisation

  • Agency and Stewardship Theories

  • Managerial Hegemony

  • External Governance

  • Shareholder Value

  • Stakeholder Capitalism

  • Thematic Case Studies

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 67
Essay/coursework 33

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 67
Essay/coursework 33

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

Set Text and Film

The chosen film will vary but these have been used before and may be used again

MCKAY, A., GOSLING, R., BALE, C., PITT, B., & CARELL, S. (2016). The big short.

Stone, O. (Director). (1987). Wall Street. [Film}. USA: 20th Century Fox

Other Example Readings for Lectures

Bhatt, K. and Türkelli, G.E., 2021. OECD National Contact Points as Sites of Effective Remedy: New Expressions of the Role and Rule of Law within Market Globalization?. Business and Human Rights Journal, 6(3), pp.423-448.

Chandler, A D (1977). The visible hand: the managerial revolution in American business. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press.

Chapter: The Managerial Revolution in American Business

Cheng, Joseph L. C; Peterson, Richard B. (2000). Advances in international comparative management. volume 13. Stamford, Conn: JAI Press

Chapter: Guillen, 'Corporate Governance and Globalization: Is there convergence across countries'

Eisenhardt, Agency Theory: An Assessment and Review, Academy of Management Review, vol. 14, issue 1, pp. 57-74

Fama, Eugene F. and Jensen, Michael C. (1983), Separation of Ownership and Control, The Journal of Law and Economics, vol. 26, pp. 301-326

Jensen, M (1976), Theory of the firm: Managerial Behaviour, Agency costs and Ownership Structure, Journal of Financial Economics, vol. 3, issue 4, pp. 305-360

LEWIS, M. (2011). The big short: inside the doomsday machine. Detroit, Large Print Press.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/thereporters/robertpeston/2010/11/why_the_treasury_wont_illumina.html

http://cadbury.cjbs.archios.info/report

http://www.icaew.com/en/library/subject-gateways/corporate-governance/codes-and-reports/walker-report

Guided research on FT.com


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.