Corporate Governance in the Philippines and Switzerland―A Comparison of the Institutional Environment and Practices

This chapter reviews the corporate governance environment of the Philippines and Switzerland by comparing and contrasting the experiences and practices of businesses in these two countries. The comparison between an economically developed country and a developing one provides an insight into the challenges both countries face in implementing corporate governance reforms. The theoretical scope is explored by emphasizing the institutional framework of both countries. Underlying economic measures are also provided placing the context of corporate ownership and board experience

Policy functions of smoking control in Japan

Analysis of policy functions, with a focus on their major participants, elicits a clear picture of the decision-making process for smoking control in Japan. Activities of various advocacy groups have affected the functions of policy, including: Intelligence, Promotion, Prescription, Invocation, Application and Appraisal. In fulfilling these functions, they have affected every issue they faced by creating, transforming and propagating information in line with their interests and by influencing government decisions using coalition-building and the lobbying of elected officials. Furthermore, they have determined the development and implementation of various programs, even assuming key roles in substantiating the decisions. On the other hand, political leverage by the tobacco industry, exercised through various policy functions, intimidated the government leadership and eventually controlled its actions. When the nonsmokers’ rights groups emerged, they gradually started to take part in policy functions, sometimes in cooperation with the health agency. The initial and final forms of smoking control policies in society have been deeply affected by the involvement of these groups