Recent Advances in Corporate Governance: A Global View

Abstract

Corporate governance is a system of legal approach by which corporates are directed and controlled. The basic focus is on structures of corporate entities, monitoring and directing them for mitigating risks that have been raised due to misdeeds of various factors. The corporate failures such as those of Enron, Xerox, WorldCom, Satyam, and the ones that followed suit, among other things, highlight shortcomings about internal controls, the institution of boards, functioning of board committees disclosures, transparency, reporting standards, and enhancing stakeholder’s confidence. Since 2001, emphasis has been laid down on the governance mechanism to be reinforced to retrieve accuracy and reliability. Over the years, several initiatives have been undertaken by the policymakers, governments, regulators, and the private sector to reform corporate governance. The global business model of geopolitical affairs, social and regulatory compliance, and cyber security are some of the key elements that have radically transformed corporate governance’s thrust in the present-day corporate context. This paper aims to study the advances in corporate governance practices in terms of its nuances related to board diversity and its evaluation; shareholder activism; environment, social and governance (ESG), and enterprise risk management (ERM).