Corporate governance and responsible business
We’re researching how organisations are governed, how responsibility is understood, and how businesses balance performance with purpose.
In a world where corporate social responsibility plays an increasingly prominent role in the decision making of organisations, we want to help businesses to effectively balance considerations of people, profit and planet.
Our researchers are investigating the structures and processes that shape decision-making in corporations and public institutions, examining issues such as board dynamics, regulation, ethical leadership, sustainability reporting and social accountability.
This theme combines perspectives from finance, accounting, management and law to understand how governance systems, regulatory environments and societal expectations interact. Combining financial integrity with social and environmental awareness, this theme contributes to more accountable and sustainable forms of enterprise.
Our work ranges from technical focuses such as financial disclosure, auditing and compliance to human and ethical dimensions of responsibility, including informal entrepreneurship and governance in developing economies.
We are questioning conventional assumptions about corporate responsibility, highlighting how complex social and institutional contexts influence what “responsible business” really means.
We’re putting theory into practice through close collaboration with businesses, policymakers and regulators, offering insights into how organisations can enhance transparency, trust and long-term value creation.
Research questions examined within this theme include:
- How do governance structures affect the performance and accountability of organisations?
- What forms of regulation encourage responsible behaviour without stifling innovation or competitiveness?
- How do boards, auditors and managers balance financial results with social and environmental goals?
- How do new disclosure and reporting requirements influence transparency and trust in organisations?
- In what ways can responsible business practices strengthen resilience and long-term value creation?
