Eden seminar overall: Exploring the Nexus of Corporate Governance and Society

The doctoral seminar on board governance and society spanned five intensive days, commencing on Monday, March 18th, exploring the historical evolution of corporate governance and its far-reaching implications on societal frameworks, including discussions on capitalism, individualism, critical studies, and alternative non-western epistemologies.

Engaging with a Variety of Research Proposals: A Glimpse into the Future

The cohort of students, hailing from diverse disciplines within management, intellectually challenged their positions and refined their research proposals with the guidance of all faculty professors. The seminar witnessed an array of intriguing research proposals, including investigations into the governance of sustainability in hospitals, the potential of normative control in collaborative work to contribute to individual emancipation, and the conceptualization, measurement, and strategic outcomes of proactive market orientation at corporate board levels. Additionally, topics ranged from exploring the impact of remote work on organizational culture in higher education institutions to narratives surrounding family and non-family SME ownership transitions. Other captivating proposals delved into the moderating role of digitalization and sustainability on boards of directors and firms’ internationalization, the relationship between executive compensation and CSR disclosures in Nordic firms, and the governance evolution in service ecosystems and its implications over time. Furthermore, inquiries into the impact of corporate governance and entrepreneurship on the longevity of family businesses, as well as the dynamics between board members and effective strategy-making in entrepreneurial high-tech ventures and their influence on fundraising performance, added depth and breadth to the seminar’s discussions.

March Sessions Overview

Wednesday, March 20th, commenced with a morning session led by Yulia Ponomareva, analyzing boards of directors through the lens of ownership research. Participants engaged in discussions on ownership categories and their implications, followed by synthesizing emerging research themes within the topic. The afternoon session, led by Hans Van Ees, explored boards in mission-driven corporations, focusing on their unique dynamics and challenges. Thursday, March 21st, featured sessions led by Morten Huse and Patricia Gabaldon, delving into value creation within boards and diversity on boards, respectively. These sessions provided valuable insights into optimizing board effectiveness and fostering inclusivity within organizational governance structures.

A Culmination of Insights

The seminar concluded on Friday, March 22nd, with Alessandro Zattoni, former co-editor of Corporate Governance: International Review journal and President of EURAM. He focused more on emerging topics in CG in relation to societal issues. The session continued with a joint discussion on the main pitfalls in writing academic articles for research and not only for publication.

Throughout the week, participants benefitted from a rich academic exchange, gaining valuable insights into contemporary issues on boards, governance, and society.

By Wafa Khlif, Full Professor in Management Accounting and Head of the Accounting, Auditing, and Control Lab.