Evaluating Corporate Governance: Guiding Principles and Calls for Future Research

Accounting Horizons (forthcoming) [10.2308/HORIZONS-2023-082]

35 Pages Posted: 26 Jun 2023 Last revised: 17 Mar 2025

See all articles by Lauren M. Cunningham

Lauren M. Cunningham

University of Tennessee - Haslam College of Business

Christie Hayne

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Terry L. Neal

University of Tennessee

Sarah E. Stein

Virginia Tech

Date Written: October 01, 2024

Abstract

Prior research finds that companies’ evaluation of corporate governance is often piecemeal and symbolic, leaving companies vulnerable to systematic risks associated with governance failures. In this paper, we use
interview data from 29 chief audit executives (CAEs) from publicly traded companies in the U.S. to propose guiding principles for how companies can formally evaluate their overall internal corporate governance systems. Our guiding principles can be adapted for a variety of governance-related objectives and leverage existing frameworks. We conclude by offering suggestions for future research.

Keywords: corporate governance, evaluation, internal audit, chief audit executives JEL codes: G34

JEL Classification: G34, M42

Suggested Citation

Cunningham, Lauren M. and Hayne, Christie and Neal, Terry L. and Stein, Sarah E., Evaluating Corporate Governance: Guiding Principles and Calls for Future Research (October 01, 2024). Accounting Horizons (forthcoming) [10.2308/HORIZONS-2023-082], Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4487291 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2308/HORIZONS-2023-082

Lauren M. Cunningham

University of Tennessee - Haslam College of Business ( email )

Accounting and Information Management
603 Stokely Management Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
United States

Christie Hayne

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ( email )

1206 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
540-300-4577 (Phone)

Terry L. Neal

University of Tennessee ( email )

639 Stokely Management Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-0560
United States
865-974-2664 (Phone)
865-974-4631 (Fax)

Sarah E. Stein (Contact Author)

Virginia Tech ( email )

250 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States

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