Board Accountability in Corporate Governance

Andrew Keay

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9781317910695
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Business Law
• Index: Business

Within corporate governance the accountability of the board of directors is identified as a major issue by governments, international bodies, professional associations and academic literature. Boards are given significant power in companies, and as a consequence it is argued that they should be accountable for their actions. Drawing on political science, public administration, accounting, and ethics literature, this book examines the concept of accountability and its meaning in the corporate governance context. It examines the rationale for making boards accountable, and outlines the obstacles and drawbacks involved in providing for accountability.

The book goes on to examine how current mechanisms for ensuring accountability are assessed in terms of fairness, justice, transparency, practicality, effectiveness and efficiency, before discussing the ways that accountability might be improved. Andrew Keay argues that enhanced accountability can provide better corporate governance, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of financial crises, and improve confidence in company practice.

As an in depth study of a key element within the exercise of authority and management in corporate entities, this book will be of great use and interest to researchers and students of corporate governance, business and management, and corporate social responsibility.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half-title Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table Of Contents
• Preface
• 1 Introduction
• 2 What Is Accountability?
• 3 Why Do We Need Accountability?
• 4 To Whom Is the Board Accountable?
• 5 The Objectives of Accountability
• 6 For What are Boards to Account?
• 7 Accountability Mechanisms
• 8 Accountability: Limits, Obstacles and Drawbacks
• 9 Balancing of Accountability and Power/Authority
• 10 Conclusion
• Index