CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

INTRODUCTION
The integration of strong corporate governance frameworks with sustainable business practices has become a core strategic imperative. This course on Corporate Governance and Organisational Sustainability is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, tools and mindset required to lead governance initiatives and embed sustainability into the fabric of their organisations. 

You will explore global governance codes, emerging ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards, regulatory developments, stakeholder expectations, and how organisations can build resilience and create sustainable value for shareholders, stakeholders and society alike.

Recent industry developments such as the increased regulatory scrutiny of ESG disclosures, the rise of integrated reporting, and the prominence of stewardship and board governance reforms underscore the urgency of this topic. Participants will engage with real case studies, emerging frameworks, and practical tools to craft governance strategies that align with sustainable organisational performance.
 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles, models, and frameworks of corporate governance and their connection to organisational sustainability.
• Analyze the roles and responsibilities of boards, management, auditors, and stakeholders in achieving effective governance and sustainable outcomes.
• Evaluate regulatory trends and governance codes, including ESG regulations, reporting standards, and stewardship expectations.
• Design governance structures and processes that align strategy, risk management, performance, and sustainability goals.
• Lead change by promoting ethical behavior, transparency, and long-term value creation through effective governance and sustainability practices.
   

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Fundamentals of Corporate Governance

• Definitions and evolution of corporate governance (including stakeholder vs shareholder debate).
• Key theories of governance (agency, stewardship, resource dependence, institutional) and their implications.
• Regulatory and self‑regulatory frameworks: global governance codes (e.g., King IV Code, OECD Principles of Corporate Governance) and their influence. 
   

Module 2: Governance Structures, Boards & Leadership

• Board composition, roles and responsibilities, committees, independence and diversity.
• Executive compensation, incentives, control mechanisms and shareholder activism.
• Leadership in governance — aligning ethical behavior, culture and strategic oversight.
   

Module 3: Risk Management, Internal Controls & Audit

• Governance and risk management: how boards oversee enterprise risk and sustainability risk.
• Role of internal controls, audit committees and external auditors in ensuring governance effectiveness.
• Emerging risk areas: cyber governance, data privacy, supply‑chain sustainability.
   

Module 4: Sustainability – ESG, CSR & Ethical Strategy

• From CSR to ESG: evolution and current practice in sustainability and governance.
• Environmental, social and governance (ESG) pillars: impacts on organisational strategy and investor decision‑making.
• Sustainable business models, circular economy, stakeholder value, and non‑financial reporting.

Module 5: Governance & Sustainability in Practice – Reporting, Disclosure & Accountability

• Integrated reporting vs separate sustainability reports: trends and regulatory pressures.
• Use of standards (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), GRI, TCFD) in governance disclosure.
• Case studies of governance failures and sustainability‑driven companies; how governance lapses result in reputational and financial damage.
   

Module 6: Embedding Governance for Sustainable Organisational Performance

• Designing governance frameworks that align strategy, risk, performance, sustainability and stakeholder relations.
• Metrics, KPIs and sustainability governance performance – how to measure and improve.
• Change management and cultural leadership: building a governance‑driven and sustainability‑oriented organisation.
   

Module 7: Local & Global Governance Trends and Emerging Issues

• Comparative governance systems (Anglo‑American, Continental European, emerging markets).
• Recent regulatory developments: ESG mandates, board diversity laws, sustainability‑linked corporate governance.
• Future directions: governance of AI and digital transformation, climate risk governance, stakeholder capitalism.