Audit within the corporate governance paradigm: a cornerstone built on shifting sand? a cornerstone built on shifting sand?

Richard Fairchild, David Gwilliam, Oliver Marnet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (SciVal)
263 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper is a case study-based investigation of aspects of the current paradigmatic approach to ‘good’ corporate governance with its focus on the interlinked roles of internal control and risk management procedures, internal audit and external audit, overseen and co-ordinated by a formal structure of board committees, in particular the audit committee. The evidence that we adduce from the study of four high-profile cases of perceived accounting and governance failure provides limited assurance that this approach will in fact be cost-effective or efficient in preventing further such cases of accounting and governance failure. Specifically, issues as to remuneration and fee dependence; lack of relevant knowledge and expertise; and social and psychological dependence upon executive management appear to have significantly and negatively affected the quality of decision-making of governance gatekeepers. This suggests that further consideration of relevant economic, institutional and cognitive/behavioural factors beyond the rational choice model of traditional economics should underpin future developments in required modes and structures of governance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)90-105
Number of pages16
JournalBritish Journal of Management
Volume30
Issue number1
Early online date30 Jan 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jan 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Business,Management and Accounting
  • Management of Technology and Innovation
  • Strategy and Management

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