Governing the Corporation: Regulation and Corporate Governance in an Age of Scandal and Global Markets

The demise of the era of the imperial chief executive has been accompanied by a resurgence in financial regulation. High-level criminal prosecutions, proactive enforcement strategies and a strengthened resolve to police deficiencies have made compliance an imperative. Have the reforms introduced in the United States done enough to address what President Bush has termed 'America's greatest need: higher ethical standards - standards enforced by strict laws and upheld by responsible business leaders'? Given the global importance of US capital markets, what are the global implications of the triangulated American legislative, legal and regulatory response.

How to govern the corporation and the markets in which they operate have become public and corporate priorities with a salience emanating far beyond the narrow confines of the business community. Following three years of scandal, the initial quiescence by business has dissipated. The target is the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act, or Sarbanes-Oxley, the centre-piece of the reform agenda. An excessive intervention in the private governance of the corporation or a necessary policing mechanism?

This collection brings together leading practitioners, regulators and academics to debate the causes and consequences of corporate governance reform and financial regulation in an Age of Scandal. It provides

• Cutting edge debate on the effectiveness of Sarbanes-Oxley from those involved in its implementation, including leading US and EU regulators;
• Expert analysis on the causes and consequences of corporate failure;
• Practical advice on how to inculcate values into value within a corporate context;
• An appreciation of the political determinants of regulatory design.