Directors and managers need to understand their responsibilities to their company, shareholders, employees, customers and society, and appreciate rules and behaviours that lead to good governance. This unit (BLO5540) will examine key elements of what constitutes good corporate governance. It will review key regulatory drivers that influence company management, including stock exchange regulation, and consider the main internal control systems necessary to effectively manage contemporary business organisations. It will equip students with knowledge of relevant business rules and regulations. The unit will critically review important areas of company law. Topics covered include: types of companies; corporate personality; company constitutions; contracts made by the company; share capital and loan capital; the duties of directors and managers; and shareholder remedies.

Unit details

Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
BLO5540

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Research and advocate different perspectives of the firm, taking into account the stakeholder versus shareholder debate in the context of corporate social responsibility;  
  2. Interpret the obligations Directors, managers and employees owe, as corporate agents, to the organisation, shareholders and broader society;  
  3. Investigate the legal context in which firms exist, including the ways political, economic and technological factors contribute to the evolution of commercial and contract law;  
  4. Critically review the Australian legal system and institutions relevant to commercial actors and advisers, forming viewpoints on debates about the management of business organisations;  
  5. Critically analyse key laws that impact upon managers' roles and application of relevant legal rules and principles to commercial problems, applying contract and company law principles; and,  
  6. Analyse and advise data protection and privacy regulations that apply to the collection, storage and sharing of data.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Assignment Reflection essay (individual) 20%
Case Study Case study research assignment (group) 30%
Examination Final examination 50%

Required reading

Business and Corporations Law 4th edn.
Fitzpatrick J, Symes C, Veljanovski A, Parker D. (2020)
Lexis Nexis Butterworths

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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