An examination of the true role of governance and compliance as drivers of quality decision-making, which can help an organization and its board achieve their strategic objectives more efficiently and effectively.
Most of the existing literature approaches the subject of corporate governance from a compliance perspective, which, it’s increasingly apparent, is the wrong way to think about it. When boards complain that “we're spending too much time on governance”, what they're actually referring to is ‘compliance’. A compliance focus leads to an emphasis on regulation and Code guidance, and endless discussion of policies, processes and systems – useful for those who want to study the subject, but of limited practical value to directors and senior management.
Seamus Gillen believes that governance is a commercial discipline, a fundamental underpinning to the process of value creation and value preservation. Governance is a driver of the quality of decision-making that helps an organisation achieve its strategic objectives more efficiently and effectively. High standards of governance drive competitive advantage, a concept as applicable to not-for-profits and public sector bodies as to commercial entities. For organisations pursuing this approach, governance becomes a liberating theology, and a key business discipline that helps align stakeholder interests.
Building Better Boards resonates with professionals operating across international jurisdictions, and is inclusive rather than exclusive. The book also reflects the fact that governance is a live issue, an ongoing priority area of organisational focus, with developments occurring around the world on, literally, a daily basis. It identifies where there are differences across sectors and across geographies, but also comes with an extra level of credibility as a result of having been written from within the ‘home of governance’ – the UK.
