The course does not assume the student has any prior knowledge on corporate governance or corporate social responsibility.

A student that has successfully completed this class should - Understand the different corporate governance mechanisms and the different dimensions of CSR, and the relation between Corporate Governance and CSR. - Understand the fundamental role of corporate governance and CSR in capital markets and society. - Understand the international differences in corporate governance and CSR. - Be able to read and understand a research paper on corporate governance and CSR, from an array of perspectives (Finanze, Management, Law). - Be familiar with the most relevant databases on corporate governance and CSR. - Be familiar with the different research lines on corporate governance and CSR and be able to propose interesting research ideas.

SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTION Corporate Governance has regained central importance in the aftermatch of the Enron scandal (in 2001) and the recent financial crisis. Corporate governance is the collection of mechanisms, processes and relations by which corporations are controlled and operated, to guarantee the interests of investors and other stakeholders. While a lot of attention has been paid to examining internal mechanisms, such as the board of directors, ownership structures and executive compensation, growing attention has been put on external governance mechanisms, such as the market for managers, market for corporate control, codes of governance, or media exposure. In addition, the recognition of different patterns of corporate governance around the world has spurred comparative corporate governance research. Corporate Social Responsability has attracted renewed interest since the last financial crisis and questions the premise that firms should only be managed in the interest of shareholders. Management and corporations are increasing facing public demand for new corporate ethos, a stricter compliance with both public and private/civil regulation and the assumption of responsibilities related to emerging social and environmental issues such climate change, labor exploitation, health security, etc. This course is aimed at enhancing doctoral students' knowledge of the foundations of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility research, and the linkages between both streams. The course includes the explanation and problematization of the main theories that are central to corporate governance and corporate social responsibility such agency theory, the stakeholder view of the firm, institutional theory, etc. This is primarily a discussion based course, where academic articles are posed to students on complex topics in which students engage first hand in the discussion and debate. We do expect a lively debate in the classroom and learning by confrontation. Topic 1. Corporate governance and CSR ¿ the original debate Topic 2. The importance of the ownership structure on firm decision-making and on the design of other corporate governance mechanisms and CSR Topic 3. External corporate governance: the role of Media and Competition Topic 4. Comparative corporate governance: the role of institutions and configurations Topic 5. Stakeholder theory, stakeholder engagement and CSR Topic 6. The link between Corporate Governance and CSR

The course methodology will consist of the following elements: - lectures by the coordinator of the course. - presentation in class of research papers, both by the coordinator and by the students. - class discussion of research papers. - elaboration of a critical reports of the papers presented during the course. - preparation of a research proposal and presentation on corporate governance and CSR. In this course, you are allowed to use artificial intelligence tools to assist with your coursework. However, there are specific conditions and expectations associated with its use: Acknowledgment of AI Assistance: Transparency is Key: Whenever you use AI to help with assignments, research, or any course-related tasks, you must explicitly acknowledge this in your work. This could be in the form of a footnote, an appendix, or a statement within your submission that details how AI was used. Understanding and Responsibility: Demonstrate Your Understanding: It's essential that you do not merely present AI-generated content as your own original work. You should be able to explain the reasoning behind the AI's output and critically evaluate its relevance and accuracy. Accountability: You are responsible for the final submission. This means ensuring that the content meets academic standards and is in line with the assignment requirements. You must also verify the correctness of the information and arguments that AI tools provide. Educational Purpose: Enhancing Learning, Not Replacing It: The goal of allowing AI in this course is to enhance your learning experience, not to replace your own analytical and creative abilities. Use AI as a tool for generating ideas, understanding complex concepts, and engaging with the material in more meaningful ways. Ethical Use: Adhere to Ethical Standards: Ensure that the use of AI aligns with the ethical guidelines of academic integrity. This includes avoiding plagiarism, misrepresentation of AI-generated work as solely your own, and any form of academic dishonesty. By adhering to these guidelines, you can responsibly incorporate AI tools into your learning process, ensuring that your educational experience is both enriching and ethically sound.