26816 Applied Governance and Risk Management
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides knowledge and skills to design or improve enterprise and risk governance systems and work effectively within them. It is focused on enterprise governance operating models and considers the interface between these systems and board governance operating models. Successful students are prepared for not only their futures in working within governance systems but also with a consideration of what those future systems could look like.
Students have the opportunity to condition their aptitude and responsibility to govern as executives, entrepreneurs or enterprise owners effectively. Students also learn how to navigate effective governance and risk systems beyond the procedural or compliance aspects of carrying out governance roles.
Students apply their thinking and knowledge while progressively identifying a concrete governance improvement or transformation opportunity in their workplace or their professional or entrepreneurial activities. Through reflective practice, students heighten their self-awareness and appreciation of how governing is different from managing. They also develop a more rounded, holistic view of leadership and governance systems and how to navigate and design these to improve enterprise effectiveness.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Demonstrate a critical understanding of effective executive and board governance systems |
|---|---|
| 2. | Differentiate the distinctive character and function of executive governance and board roles versus those of management |
| 3. | Evaluate future challenges and trends for their likely impact on governance operating systems |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is designed to help students develop a suitable understanding of relevant governance and risk management requirements for business leaders. Students engage with key concepts through a mix of research, application of knowledge, sharing of good practice and reflective learning.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attribute(s):
- Professional and technical competence
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered through a mix of online learning, three live online webinars and online consultations. The subject features a mix of theoretical concepts and application in the contemporary context that is designed to enhance knowledge and capabilities in business administration.
Students have access to online resources and self-directed learning activities and are expected to study online content provided via the UTS learning management system. They are required to complete online learning activities, which will help identify knowledge gaps and inform discussions. Webinars are designed to present the theory and practice of the subject’s content. Students are required to complete pre-work activities before attending webinars. Discussions focus on the application of concepts, techniques and methods.
The organising structure of the course follows a typical business operating model, containing a mix of processes, management systems, technology and data, participants, skills and ways of working. These elements need to be in place and brought to bear in a distinctive blend or mix to operationalise strategic intent with regards to governance and risk management. Students reflect on the enterprise governance operating models and board operating models and consider their inter-play and juxtaposition.
Two mandatory, formative assessments completed online provide students with feedback to direct their self-study. Ongoing general and individual feedback is provided throughout the subject via consultation sessions. A summative assessment provides feedback on students' comprehension and application of learning. Students also receive formal feedback on assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
- Understanding governance and risk oversight, the ‘as is’ state of play
- Considering future governance challenges and trends, ‘the ‘to-be’ state
- Anticipating and identifying context-specific governance challenges and changes
- Constructing governance operating models - building, rebuilding or improving (legacy systems)
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Report (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Completion of formative written work in canvas and submission of summary report following direction of provided template of maximum 1,000 words. |
| Criteria: |
|
Assessment task 2: Governance Improvement Proposal (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Completion of formative written work in canvas and submission of recommended course of action following direction of provided template of maximum 1,000 words. |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
References
Aras, G. and Crowther, D., 2008. Governance and sustainability: An investigation into the relationship between corporate governance and corporate sustainability. Management Decision. 46(3), 433-448.
Freeman, R.E., Martin, K. and Parmar, B., 2007. Stakeholder capitalism. Journal of Business Ethics, 74(4), pp.303-314.
Henisz, W.J., Dorobantu, S. and Nartey, L.J., 2014. Spinning gold: The financial returns to stakeholder engagement. Strategic Management Journal, 35(12), pp.1727-1748.
Johnstone-Louis, M., Kustin, B., Mayer, C., Stroehle, J. and Wang, B., 2020. Business in times of crisis. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 36(Supplement_1), pp.S242-S255.
Spitzeck, H. and Hansen, E.G., 2010. Stakeholder governance: how stakeholders influence corporate decision making. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society.