1st Edition
Corporate Governance and Sustainability Challenges for Theory and Practice
In recent years, as corporations and governments have increasingly been confronted with managing the expectations of a society newly alerted to the social and environmental risks of economic development, recognition is dawning that achieving a sustainable world is dependent upon the democratic management and equitable distribution of these risks for now, and for the future. This book, the first to explore the themes of corporate governance and sustainability, argues that a better system of governance on a number of levels holds the key.
Contributed to and edited by a distinguished international team, this book recognizes the complex and contested nature of both sustainability and governance, and that these key concepts have been redefined considerably over time.
As sustainability poses new and major challenges for the theory and practice of corporate governance, this book, ideal for postgraduate students of business and management, identifies and addresses these challenges.
PART A
INTRODUCTION: THE GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES
The politicisation of sustainability and governance
Dr Suzanne Benn and Distinguished Professor Dexter Dunphy, UTS
Change for corporate sustainability
Dr Suzanne Benn and Distinguished Professor Dexter Dunphy, UTS
3. Case study: the history of the multinational chemicals company: ICI Ltd
Dr Suzanne Benn and Dr Paul Brown, UTS and UNSW
PART B
CRITIQUE OF ESTABLISHED MODELS OF GOVERNANCE
The historical dilemma of control
Professor Thomas Clarke, UTS
5. The democratic model
Professor Thomas Clarke, UTS
6. The management model
The legal model
Rosemary Lyster and Andrew Martin, University of Sydney
REDESIGNING GOVERANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
8. Synthesising themes in political and management theory
Dr Suzanne Benn, UTS
9. Governance as reflexive regulation
Professor Dirk Matten, University of London
10. Accountability and legitimacy
Dr Liz Fisher, Corpus Christi College, Oxford University
11. Challenges for leadership
Assoc. Professor Anne Ross-Smith, UTS
Dr Carolyn Egri, Simon Fraser University
PART D
IMPLEMENTING GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
12. Accountability orientations
Dr Liz Fisher, Oxford University
13. Governance, Knowledge and Sustainability
Michael Lester, UTS
14. Instruments of strategic change
Marie de la Rama, UTS and Professor Thomas Clarke
15. Redesigning the practice of governance
Dr Suzanne Benn and Distinguished Professor Dexter Dunphy, UTS
Biography
Edited by Benn, Suzanne; Dunphy, Dexter
'Engaging the private sector in the achievement of sustainability is crucial. For businesses, and other institutions, an important part of this engagement should be based on sound governance. This excellent book demonstrates that good governance is central to operating in a society with increased environmental and social risks. Leading contributors show that we have a lot to learn from bringing together different perspectives and approaches in achieving a sustainable future.' - Richard Welford, University of Hong Kong