Governance

With unwavering optimism, we actively engage in dialogue, debate, and profound discussions surrounding governance in our interconnected world. Corporate governance transcends mere structural efficiency or balancing acts; it delves into the very essence of economics, politics, society, entrepreneurship, globalization, business processes, and the intricate web of global value chains. It embodies the spirit of free enterprise within a capitalist economy and the principles that underpin capitalist democracies.

The sustenance of capitalist democracies hinges upon the dual pillars of economic growth that is both economically effective and socially acceptable. Consequently, any discourse on economic growth must confront the formidable challenges posed by a planet nearing its physical limits. It demands an exploration of the escalating sense of uncertainty and powerlessness, the ramifications of globalization, the role of the nation-state, and the vital involvement of civil society. In this realm, the prevalence of asymmetric information in decision-making fuels the conflicts that besiege us.

Examining economic growth necessitates an honest appraisal of what is equitable and efficacious within a system fraught with geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, and weapons of mass destruction. It demands our attention to financial and debt crises, disruptions in global value chains leading to soaring inflation, energy costs, and commodity prices, exacerbating shortages and poverty in emerging markets. It obliges us to address social injustice, growing inequality, and the specter of health pandemics. Central to this debate is an exploration of the purpose and impact of corporations.

Regardless of the outcome of this profound deliberation, we must weave together the disparate threads of our present reality. The convergence of these forces must transcend regional boundaries, offering not just a Western solution but a holistic understanding of what corporate governance truly signifies in our interconnected, globalized world.

Moreover, we invite you to explore Michael Witt's profound insights and thought-provoking questions encapsulated in the following papers, which further enrich the discourse on this pressing subject.

Michael A Witt - De-globalization and decoupling: Game changing consequences? Management and Organization Review 17:1, February 2021, 6-15.
Michael A Witt - Our Board, Our Rules: Nonconformity to Global Corporate Governance Norms. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2022, Vol. 67(1)131–166.