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Corporate governance – direct control or decentralised allocation?

Course

Corporate Governance

7.5 credits

Spring

100%

Campus

This course examines neoclassical price theory in order to provide a deeper understanding of price as a mechanism for coordination and resource allocation. Another element of the course highlights the determinants behind ownership and control, as well as the relationship between finance, ownership and control.

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Tools and knowledge for analysing important societal issues After studying Economics, you can work in both the public and private sectors, for national or international organisations, with issues relating to the economics of society. In the private sector, it is common for economists to work at banks or in companies in the financial sector. However, economists may also work at consultancies or other companies that require socio-economic expertise. In the public sector, you could work at government ministries, public authorities, municipalities or the Swedish Riksbank. Studying Economics gives you important, societally beneficial knowledge. After your studies, you will have the tools and knowledge necessary to analyse important societal issues Studying Economics is not only a strength on the labour market, but it also provides an important general education for understanding our societal economy. Read about research in this subject
Price theory, ownership and control, and economic growth This course has two main elements. In the first, neoclassical price theory is examined in order to gain a deeper understanding of price as a mechanism for coordination and resource allocation. This allows you to investigate whether direct control by a central authority is preferable to decentralised allocation through a pricing system. The second element of the course examines the determinants behind ownership and control, as well as the relationship between finance, ownership and control. This highlights classic problems such as the conflict between managers and owners, agent costs, contracts based on incentives in relation to control of managers, and company acquisition as a mechanism for discipline. You will learn theories that explain the horizontal and vertical borders of firms and why separation between ownership and control in limited liability firms has arisen and what its consequences are. The course looks at how shareholders can exercise control over the management of the company, and the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of incentive systems for employees. You will examine the reasons for concentrated ownership and the potential advantages and disadvantages of high ownership concentration, as well as the role of banks in the financing of corporations and as a substitute monitor for corporate management. This will teach you how to explain the relationship between the concentration of ownership, market and bank based financial systems, and economic growth. Course design The course is taught through lectures, although some individual work or group work may also be required. It is assessed through written examination.
How can we manage sparse resources and work towards sustainable economic growth? Economics is important for societal democracy, as the purpose of the subject is to investigate how we manage and distribute sparse resources. The subject therefore has a strong link to most of the UN global goals. Economics has a broad perspective that covers many societal functions, everything from conditions for businesses and employees to those for sustainable development and the role of the financial market in global stability. Economics covers many different areas and has clear links to many current societal problems. Studying the subject provides insight into environmental economics, development economics, financial economics, industrial organisation, labour market economics and various theories of international trade. These areas are strongly associated with current societal problems such as trade wars and globalisation, unemployment and integration, poverty and opportunities for development in low-income countries. If you study Economics, you will gain important societal knowledge that is beneficial on the labour market, as well as tools for analysing important societal problems. At Södertörn University, our aim is to teach the subject using a broad perspective and an unconditional approach.