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Governance

What is Governance?

Governance has been defined as the structures, processes, and norms that ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, and stability in public affairs or private enterprises. Governance can be subtle and may not be easily observable. International agencies such as the UNDP define governance as the exercise of authority or power in order to manage a country's economic, political and administrative affairs. Governance encompasses both management and administrative systems, which help to mobilize and transform available resources to achieve desired outcomes.

In business, governance is the process of setting and maintaining norms and standards for an organization. Management oversees the performance of an organization to ensure it is working in the best interests of its stakeholders. Good governance involves overseeing management to make sure they are achieving desired outcomes and following ethical guidelines.

Governance is the process or system by which a country or organization manages its affairs. Good governance is expected to promote four key principles: participatory, transparent, accountable, and effective. The donor community promotes good governance as a necessary pre-condition for achieving successful development outcomes.

Governance is the process of distributing and managing power. It encompasses a wide range of institutions, from small family businesses to complex nations, with different aims and methods. Governance can be described as a theory or model and is often derived from empirical evidence. There are three main types of governance: public, global, and corporate. Public governance includes mechanisms such as elected officials and laws that affect the entire population. Global governance includes organizations such as the United Nations that have an impact on multiple countries. Corporate Governance involves how companies are run, including decisions about who owns them and how they are managed. Project governance refers to the management of large-scale projects such as building a bridge or developing a new computer system.


Alternative Definitions of Governance

Governance encompasses the system by which an organization is controlled and operates and the mechanisms by which it, and its people, are held to account. Ethics, risk management, compliance, and administration are all elements of governance.

Corporate governance involves a set of relationships between a company’s management, its board, its shareholders, and other stakeholders. Corporate governance also provides the structure through which the objectives of the company are set, and the means of attaining those objectives and monitoring performance are determined.

Corporate governance is ‘the framework of rules, relationships, systems and processes within and by which authority is exercised and controlled in corporations. It encompasses the mechanisms by which companies, and those in control, are held to account.


Types of Governance

Governance refers to a wide variety of concepts, including organizational level, activity level, and model. There are three main types of governance: process, public, and private.

Governance can help organizations achieve their goals, be it fair or good. There is a wide variety of analytical frameworks to help understand and analyze governance. Governance is the process of managing risks and ensuring the proper operation and sustainability of an organization. There are many different types of governance, each with its own goals and objectives. Governance is a normative concept - it is the way things are supposed to be done, not the way things are currently done.

Governance is the process of setting and enforcing rules that ensure a company's objectives are met.

There are four types of governance: operational governance governs the actual running of the company; financial governance oversees the company's finances; human resource governance deals with the management of employees; information security governance oversees the security of the company's data; measurement and assessment is the process of assessing the performance of a company to determine if it is meeting its objectives.

Corporate Governance<be /> Source: PLDO Blog


Methods of Governance

  1. Board composition:
    • The Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee reviews the criteria for the composition of the Board and evaluates potential new candidates.
    • The Board strives to balance the needs of different types of expertise on the Board, including business knowledge, professional knowledge, financial expertise, and CEO-level business management experience.
    • The Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board about potential new members for the Board.
    • The Board seeks to improve the effectiveness of the Board by assessing its performance and reviewing the framework for assessment of Board performance.
    • The Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee periodically appraises the framework for the assessment of Board performance and the Board self-evaluation discussion.
    • In addition, directors must have a significant percentage of their compensation in stock-based compensation in order to align their interests with those of shareholders. No management directors receive any compensation from the firm other than their role on the board or a committee. Officers receive no additional compensation for their service on boards. The #*Compensation & Management Development Committee approves initial salaries and then it is submitted to board ratification.
  2. Board operations
    • The Board has a number of methods it can use to oversee and monitor the CEO and the company's overall performance, such as having committees that carry out specific tasks. The Board can also operate behind closed doors for the benefit of directors only to ensure that all perspectives are heard.
  3. Board committees
    • The Board has five principal committees - Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance, Nominating, and Risk Policy. Committees are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in the Firm's business. Committee members are appointed by the Board and rotate periodically. The Board approves changes to committee charters and designates a chair or co-chair for each committee. Committees report to the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Committee members are appointed at the pleasure of the Board and there is no strict rotation policy.
    • Directors who are not officers are not allowed to serve on any of the Board's committees but may attend meetings at the invitation of the Chair. The Board should have a minimum of thirteen directors. The Board's composition should be based on the company's business strategy and the independence of directors. There are nine committees that report to the Board. The board has the authority to meet in executive sessions to discuss specific matters without disclosing what was discussed The Board regularly attends Board meetings, and has access to management.
    • The Board interacts with institutional investors and the press. The Code of Business Conduct & Ethics sets out standards for behavior for directors. Directors must attend continuing education courses, and must be aware of the second company's finances and business operations. Directors are responsible for ensuring that the company operates in accordance with the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
  4. Assessing the effectiveness of board governance
    • The Board can assess its governance by looking at the committee structure, which should be determined by the full board. Board and committee materials and presentations should be made available to the public. Directors should attend Board meetings regularly and participate in discussions. Directors should have access to management and institutional investors. Directors must adhere to a code of conduct and ethics. Board committees must report their activities to the full board on a regular basis.
  5. Corporate governance frameworks
    • There are two types of corporate governance frameworks: action plans and internal controls. Action plans provide the framework for attaining a company's objectives, while internal controls provide the framework for monitoring and controlling company activities. Corporate governance frameworks can also include performance measurement and corporate disclosure.
  6. Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
    • Corporate social responsibility is important for businesses because it helps them build trust with their customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
    • CSR can be divided into four main areas: accountability, composition, dynamics, and governance.
    • The board should have oversight responsibility for any political activities undertaken by the company, and consider adopting a policy on disclosure.
  7. Compliance
    • The methods of governance used by a company can vary, but typically include a board of directors, executive management, and employees.
    • A board of directors is responsible for overseeing the company's policies and operations, while executive management oversees day-to-day operations. Employees are crucial to any successful business and are typically informed of company policies and procedures. Communication is key in maintaining trust between employees and management; misconduct should be discouraged but reported in a compliant manner if it occurs.
  8. Risk Management
    • The risk management methods used in a company can vary depending on the type of risk involved. However, common methods include:
      • Identifying risks: This involves assessing the potential consequences of a situation and estimating the likelihood of those consequences happening.
      • Planning for risks: When risks have been identified, plans must be put in place to deal with them effectively. This may involve making decisions about how to mitigate or avoid the risk, or taking steps to reduce its likelihood.
      • Monitoring and assessing risks: Periodically checking whether planned measures are working and making any necessary adjustments is essential for maintaining control over risks.
  9. Internal control
    • Internal control refers to a company's risk oversight structure and how it provides the full board with the information it needs to make informed decisions. An important responsibility of the audit committee is risk assessment and management.
  10. Ethics
    • The principles of ethics include honesty, integrity, impartiality, respect for persons, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. In order to adhere to these principles, an ethical business must take account of both sides of an argument and be honest with others.


Systems of Governance

There are three main systems of governance: constitutional, administrative, and socialist. Constitutional systems place a high emphasis on the rule of law and the separation of powers. Administrative systems rely on centralized decision-making and bureaucracies. Socialist systems rely on a single, all-powerful government.


Role of Governance in Business

Governance in business refers to the process and systems that businesses put in place to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and ethical standards. Governance can also refer to the way a company manages its relationships with its stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the community.


Benefits of Governance

Governance is the process of establishing and enforcing guidelines for how an organization is managed. Governance can help to ensure that an organization's goals are met, prevent conflicts from arising, and provide a framework for making decisions. The benefits of governance include improved efficiency, compliance with regulations, and a stronger sense of organizational culture. The benefits of governance:

  1. Improved efficiency: Governance can help to ensure that an organization is run in a more efficient manner, as it provides a clear framework for decision-making and goal-setting.
  2. Compliance with regulations: Governance can help an organization to comply with external regulations, by providing a clear set of guidelines for how the organization should be run.
  3. Stronger sense of organizational culture: Governance can help to create a stronger sense of organizational culture, as it provides a clear set of values and principles that should be followed by all members of the organization.
  4. Increased transparency: Governance can help to increase the level of transparency within an organization, as it provides a clear framework for reporting and communication.
  5. Greater accountability: Governance can help to increase the level of accountability within an organization, as it provides a clear set of rules and procedures that must be followed.
  6. improved decision-making: Governance can help to improve the quality of decision-making within an organization, as it provides a clear set of guidelines and principles that should be followed.
  7. Enhanced efficiency: Governance can help to increase the level of efficiency within an organization, as it provides a clear set of procedures and processes that must be followed.
  8. Improved communication: Governance can help to improve the level of communication within an organization, as it provides a clear set of rules and regulations that must be followed.

These benefits must be weighed in relation to their cons:

  1. Lack of transparency: Lack of corporate governance can lead to a lack of transparency, which can damage the trust between investors, the community, and public officials.
  2. Misaligned interests: Directors and shareholders may have different interests that are not always aligned with those of management or employees.
  3. Can lead to financial loss: A company that lacks good corporate governance may experience financial losses due to failed projects or bad business decisions.
  4. Risky investments: If a company does not have clear governance in place, it may make risky investments in its IT infrastructure without knowing if they will benefit the business overall.
  5. Resilience is difficult to achieve: A lack of good corporate governance can make it difficult for a company to withstand challenges and maintain long-term success
  6. Governance can be time-consuming and difficult: Governance can be time-consuming and difficult to implement.
  7. It may be unnecessary: Some organizations do not find governance to be necessary, as they believe that their employees are able to manage their own affairs effectively.
  8. There is a risk of corruption: Implementation of governance may lead to corruption, as unethical individuals may attempt to gain an unfair advantage over others.
  9. Poor communication can result in conflict: Poor communication between different parts of the organization can lead to conflict, which is often detrimental both to the organization's efficiency and its morale.


The Importance of Governance

Governance is important because it helps organizations identify and manage risks. Governance also helps organizations set goals, measure progress, and make decisions based on data.

The goal of clear corporate governance is to generate business value from investments.

Corporate governance is important in order to assure financial viability, attract investors, and create ethical business practices.


Best Practices in Governance

There are a few key practices in governance that should be followed in order to ensure the success of an organization. These include setting clear and concise goals, developing and implementing an effective financial plan, and maintaining a healthy level of communication with stakeholders. The best practices in governance are:

  • Setting clear and concise goals
  • Developing and implementing an effective financial plan
  • Maintaining a healthy level of communication with stakeholders
  • Ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations
  • Creating and maintaining a code of conduct
  • Developing policies and procedures to promote ethical behavior
  • Encouraging transparency and accountability in all decision-making processes


Different Types of Governance

Governance refers to the process of making decisions and enforcing them, while politics is the antagonistic process of deciding things without binding agreements. Contemporary governance theory questions the traditional distinction between "politics" and "administration". Governance involves a combination of administrative and process-oriented aspects, including government, businesses) managing their resources and operations. There are three main types of governance: PPP, market mechanisms, and top-down methods. Top-down methods involve governments and the state bureaucracy managing resources and operations through centralized control. Governance can help organizations achieve specific goals or objectives by using normative concepts of good governance.


Different Ways of Governing

Governance refers to the administrative and process-oriented aspects of governing, while politics involves antagonistic elements. Contemporary governance practice and theory question the distinction between "politics" and "governance." Governance encompasses both administrative and process-oriented aspects, while politics encompasses only antagonistic elements. There are three main ways in which public governance is conducted: through PPPs, using market mechanisms, or top-down methods.

Participatory governance emphasizes the need for citizens to participate in the decision-making process with the state. The theoretical basis for participatory governance dates back to the early 1990s and has seen a resurgence in recent years due to its benefits for improving vertical accountability between citizens and municipal governments. Participatory governance involves citizens playing a more direct role in public decision-making. There are many different manifestations of participatory governance, including participatory budgeting. Participatory budgeting is the most rapidly growing form of participatory governance. Examples of participatory governance include the British Columbia Citizens Assembly and municipal housing councils in Brazil. Participatory governance impacts policy at the municipal level by linking the social sphere to the political. Participative democracy can improve public service delivery by providing accessible information about different forms of government on your website or within your company. Participation in decision-making can be improved by providing FAQs on different methods of governance.FAQs can help educate your audience about the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and why you believe your chosen method is the best option for your company.


Different Systems of Governance

Governance can be divided into four categories: accountability, political philosophy, political science terminology, and hidden categories. Each system involves a different set of responsibilities and mechanisms for making decisions.

Accountability systems are designed to ensure that decision-makers are held accountable for their actions. Accountability systems often involve formal rules or procedures that must be followed in order to make decisions. Accountability systems can be based on human or computer capabilities.

Political philosophy systems focus on the principles by which a government should operate. Political philosophy systems often include ideas about democracy, socialism, capitalism, and other types of government. Political philosophy systems can be based on human or computer capabilities.

Political science terminology systems focus on the use of specific terms in discussing politics and government. Political science terminology systems can help researchers identify patterns in how different groups of people discuss politics and government. Political science terminology systems can be based on human or computer capabilities.

Hidden categories refer to aspects of governance that are not easily identifiable or describable using existing frameworks or toolsets for studying governance (e.g., informal networks). These hidden categories are important research questions that need to be addressed if we want to improve our understanding of how governments work.


Different Concepts of Governance

Governance refers to the administrative and process-oriented elements of governing, while politics involves the processes by which a group of people (with divergent opinions or interests) reach collective decisions. Contemporary governance theory questions the distinction between "politics" and "governance", arguing that both involve aspects of power and accountability. Governance encompasses two remarkable issues- that it is not just about governments and that it is not just about workers.

The definition of governance includes not just governments and the public sector, but also businesses, associations, institutions, and any other human community.

Governance is a space with multiple aspects that have been incorporated into modern policies. Governance is a space that requires new models of management in response to social demands. The term "governance" can refer to a variety of different concepts, such as management, politics, and open government. Smart Governance refers to the incorporation of technology into governance in order to make it more efficient and effective. Technologies such as smart cities and smart governance are changing the way we think about governance.

Governance is the process of designing and maintaining structures that allow for the efficient and effective management of an organization. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a guide to sustainability that are also incorporated into global governance. Governance is a continuous process that should be adapted to changing circumstances.


Feedback Cycle of Governance

The feedback cycle of governance refers to the interaction between a governing body and its citizens.

The government official will listen to the citizen's concerns and attempt to resolve the issue. If the problem cannot be resolved, the official will provide feedback about how future meetings can be more effective.


Role of Accountability in Governance

Governance is the set of principles that help ensure that a company is run responsibly and in the best interest of its shareholders. Accountability means that those who are responsible for running a company are held accountable for their actions. This helps to ensure that companies are run in a responsible manner and that shareholders are always kept informed of important developments.


Role of the State in Governance

The state is a theoretical model that helps to explain the relationship between people and their government. The state was first developed in the early 1990s, and participatory governance has since become more popular.


Role of the Private Sector in Governance

Governance is the process by which a society decides what policies to adopt, how to allocate resources, and how to enforce these decisions. Private entities, such as insurance companies, can exert a great societal impact by making public policy. Public policy can be created by either the private or public sector. If one wishes to refer only to public policy that is made by the government, the best term to use is "governmental policy." The OECD helps governments design and implement strategic, evidence-based, and innovative policies.


Different Characteristics of Governance

  • Governance refers to the structures and processes that ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity, and inclusiveness in public affairs.
  • Governance is more than the organs of the government and encompasses the culture and institutional environment as well.
  • International agencies such as UNDP, the World Bank, and the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) define governance in a broad sense.
  • Governance is the process of distributing and sharing power in a way that ensures desired outcomes are achieved.
  • Governance systems set the parameters under which management and administrative systems will operate.
  • Governance is about how power is distributed and shared, how policies are formulated, priorities set and stakeholders are made accountable.
  • Governance is the set of norms, goals, and policies that governs an organization.
  • Management oversees the day-to-day operations of an organization to ensure it is meeting its goals and objectives.
  • Management ensures that the organization is acting in a prudent, ethical, and legal manner.
  • It also oversees management to ensure it achieves its desired outcomes.
  • Governance refers to ideal good public administration


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