1st Edition

Corporate Governance and Sustainability Challenges for Theory and Practice

Edited By Suzanne Benn, Dexter Dunphy Copyright 2007
    280 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    278 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    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