Who Influences Debates in Business Ethics? An Investigation into the Development of Corporate Governance in the UK since 1990.

Abstract

We investigate the influences behind five major investigations into corporate governance in the UK since 1990: the Cadbury, Greenbury, Hampel and Turnbull Committees, and the Company Law Review. In each case we examine the roles of business, the authorities, public opinion and events in shaping the course of the investigation, its conclusions and its impact. We do this on the basis of interviews with members of the committees and analysis of newspaper coverage of the debates. The picture that emerges is one where the process of forming the investigating committee, its membership and its mode of operation strongly influence its recommendations and effectiveness. We draw conclusions that contrast the strong influence of the accountancy and legal professions in shaping the debate and the varied influence of the authorities, the media and events. Copyright Permission: Based on a chapter in Palgrave's forthcoming book: Jones, I & Pollitt, M (2002) Understanding How Issues in Business Ethics Develop. Reprinted with kind permission of the publisher.corporate governance, business ethics, influences, Cadbury Report, Greenbury Report, Hampel Report, Turnbull Report,Company Law Review