outline structure for gel report critically evaluation of the strength
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Outline structure for GEL report
Critically evaluation of the strength of corporate governance and the associated ethical issues in
light of recent corporate scandals.
Introduction
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why is CG such a current issue:
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numerous recent corporate failings
○
give examples of recent ones (some named in assignment brief) – not old ones like Enron
as not reflective of current CG being more than 20 years ago
-
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these show not an isolated incident and raise questions about strength of CG and
undermines trust
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hence a key issue
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Therefore this report will evaluate.....
Consequences to society/stakeholders of corporate scandals
• evaluation of some of consequences to society of such scandals
• evaluation of some of stakeholders impacted and how
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Integrate in discussion above illustration of CURRENT examples from about 2016 onwards and
NOT old cases like Enron
Corporate governance failings
as a result of significant consequences important to consider the causes of such failures and
whether as a result of CG failings
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high level explanation of what CG is
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need for CG. Can refer to agency theory for example
• highlight 2 areas where feel companies failing on (2 of external audit, board of directors, risk
management, internal controls)
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sub heading for first area identified above:
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о
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what is best practice (eg if external audit, what would expect standard of audit be,
independence etc. If board - how would expect behave, what are their responsibilities
etc).
Illustrate with different examples of corporate scandals (at least 3 of Patisserie Holdings,
BHS, Carillion, Wirecard, Volkswagen and Arcadia)) how they failed to meet this. (for
example if external audit- lack of obtaining evidence, independence issues, lack of
scepticism etc).
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Aim is to integrate the discussion of what should have been done with illustration from
these different examples of how did not do that
Repeat for second are sub heading for that second area.
•
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Conclude on CG failing themes and fact not isolated issue
NB: you MUST NOT include company examples as headings. This is NOT a case study of one or more
companies but an evaluation of CG using different companies as an example and so the focus MUST
be on the CG area and NOT on the company. Marks will be lost if you focus on the companies.
You MUST use at least 3 of the examples given in the assignment brief, but you can use more or
other current examples you are aware of. These examples MUST be current though and so
something like Enron is not appropriate as it is over 20 years and not relevant to an evaluation of
current CG. Ethics
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•
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Whilst the number of recent corporate collapses raises CG issues, also raises ethical issues.
Identify 2 ethical issues. This must be an individual's unethical behaviour (such as Philip Green in
BHS) or a group of individuals (such as the Board of Carillion) and CANNOT be the company as a
whole (such as BHS or Carillion). These can be similar to the CG issues but must then be discussed
from an ethical point of view. They can also be completely different points. They must however
relate to examples of an “individual's behaviour" within one or more of your company examples.
Discuss one ethical issue at a time
For each ethical issue, use at least one ethical theory discussed in the unit to evaluate the
behaviour against. CSR and stakeholder theory are not ethical theories. Ethical theories are
anything discussed in weeks 9 - 11 or pristine capitalist, normative, instrumental discussed in CSR.
You must use different ethical theories for each example
You do not need to explain each theory in full, just how it is relevant to your example, but must
cite to a source for the theory
Conclusion
• You MUST answer the question set - ie you conclusion re the critical evaluation of corporate and
governance issues following numerous recent corporate collapses - with supporting evidence
Highlight some key points in essay that answer this
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●• Then conclude on key CG and ethical issues and whether CG is strong enough.
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Still in 3rd person
NB: need citations throughout. You must find your own sources and cannot reference to lecture or
tutorial slides.
Reference list
A complete references list of all citations (and only those citations) is needed at the back in
alphabetical order and in accordance with Cite them Right Harvard./nCorporate governance (650 - 750 words)
A brief overview of what CG is and why it is needed.
Evaluation of best practice companies should follow for two main areas of CG (choose two of
external audit, risk management, internal controls, or board of directors).
Critical evaluation of some ways in which companies failed to meet these two chosen CG
requirements. You must use at least three of the following specific corporate scandals to
illustrate this: Patisserie Holdings, BHS, Carillion, Wirecard, Volkswagen and Arcadia.
Ethics (300-350 words)
Evaluation of two specific examples of how an individual's unethical behaviour within the
corporate scandal's examples discussed above contributed to the scandal.
As part of your evaluation, you should refer to relevant ethical theories or models which were
specifically discussed during the unit.
Conclusion (100 - 150 words)
A brief summary of the main CG failings and unethical behaviours resulting in the corporate
scandals discussed in your report.
A conclusion, with support, as to whether CG regulation is strong enough to prevent further
corporate scandals./nYour assignment task
Write a 1,500-word report which critically evaluates the strength of corporate governance and the
associated ethical issues in light of recent corporate scandals.
In addressing this question, you should specifically include the following sections in your report:
Introduction (100 words)
Clear setting of the context as to why corporate governance regulation is currently an important
issue.
Highlighting specific examples of recent corporate scandals.
。 Showing Corporate Governance ("CG") and audit failings is not an isolated issue.
• A very brief summary of what the report is addressing.
Consequences to society/stakeholders of corporate scandals (250-300 words)
Recognition that corporate scandals have an economic impact and damage society/fail to fulfil
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Evaluation of which stakeholders are impacted and how.
Illustrate these impacts with specific recent examples.