FINS5581 is an elective for the PhD and MPhil program. It includes a complete, yet concise synthesis of the recent available literature on corporate governance within a logical, analytical structure. Topics covered include overview of internal and external mechanisms, methodological approaches and databases, boards of directors, executive financial incentives, debtholder rights and powers, institutional investor activism, market for corporate control, and manifestations of poor governance. The topics covered are in the lecturer’s area of expertise, with an emphasis placed on agency theory, financial contracting and empirical research design.

The course assumes a sound knowledge of the economic theory relating to the foundations of finance. The course will emphasise effective empirical analysis of major corporate governance mechanisms. By the end of the course, you should not only be familiar with some of the most advanced work in the field of corporate governance and the major empirical approaches utilised, but you should also have a good understanding of how to critically evaluate current research in this area and to be well-equipped to undertake your own research studies.