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Theorising South Africa’s Corporate Governance

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  • Andrew West

Abstract

South Africa’s principal corporate governance report aspires to an ‘inclusive’ approach to corporate governance, in which companies are clearly advised to consider the interests of a variety of stakeholders. Yet, in common with many other countries, there is little discussion of the theoretical foundations and assumptions implicit in the recommended approach to corporate governance. The purpose of this article is to provide an analysis of corporate governance and the corporate environment in South Africa in terms of existing theory and models of corporate governance, and to provide a critique based on a consideration of traditional African values and the socio-economic necessities of post-apartheid South Africa. The result is the identification of an incompatibility between the current corporate environment in South Africa and the given exposition of African values. Some prospects for change are then identified. Copyright Springer 2006

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew West, 2006. "Theorising South Africa’s Corporate Governance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 68(4), pages 433-448, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:68:y:2006:i:4:p:433-448
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-006-9033-5
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    Cited by:

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    3. Minga Negash & Tesfaye T. Lemma, 2020. "Institutional pressures and the accounting and reporting of environmental liabilities," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1941-1960, July.
    4. Md Sajjad Hosain, 2020. "The Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure in Bangladesh: Moderating Role of Firm Value," Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, , vol. 13(2), pages 190-209, December.
    5. Tebogo Israel Teddy Magang & Veronica Goitsemang Magang, 2017. "Ubuntu or Botho African Culture and Corporate Governance: A Case for Diversity in Corporate Boards," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 6(4), pages 64-75, December.
    6. Chune Young Chung & Sang Jun Cho & Doojin Ryu & Doowon Ryu, 2019. "Institutional blockholders and corporate social responsibility," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(3), pages 143-186, July.
    7. Hearn, Bruce, 2012. "The contrasting effects of board composition and structure on IPO firm underpricing in a developing context," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 33-44.
    8. Oscar Rikhotso & Thabiso John Morodi & Daniel Masilu Masekameni, 2022. "The Extent of Occupational Health Hazard Impact on Workers: Documentary Evidence from National Occupational Disease Statistics and Selected South African Companies’ Voluntary Corporate Social Responsi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.
    9. Debmalya Mukherjee & Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar, 2023. "Two Decades of International Business and International Management Scholarship on Africa: A Review and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(6), pages 863-909, December.
    10. Muniandy, Balachandran & Hillier, John, 2015. "Board independence, investment opportunity set and performance of South African firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(PA), pages 108-124.
    11. Vincent Tawiah & Reon Matemane & Babajide Oyewo & Tesfaye T. Lemma, 2024. "Saving the environment with indigenous directors: Evidence from Africa," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 2445-2461, March.
    12. Tesfaye T. Lemma & Mehrzad Azmi Shabestari & Martin Freedman & Mthokozisi Mlilo, 2020. "Corporate carbon risk exposure, voluntary disclosure, and financial reporting quality," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 2130-2143, July.
    13. Antonio Corvino & Federica Doni & Silvio Bianchi Martini, 2020. "Corporate Governance, Integrated Reporting and Environmental Disclosure: Evidence from the South African Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-19, June.
    14. Dan CHIRLESAN & Marius Constantin APOSTOAIE, 2012. "Corporate Governance within Financial Institutions: Asset or Liability?," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 1, pages 45-52.

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