What is corporate governance?

Corporate governance is best defined as the frameworks and processes that direct and control a company. This encompasses the structures, rules, and practices that determine how a corporation is managed and held accountable to its stakeholders, including shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, and the broader community.

Essentially, corporate governance sets the foundation for achieving a company’s objectives, ensuring accountability, fairness, and transparency in a company's relationship with its stakeholders. It includes aspects such as the role of the board of directors, the rights and responsibilities of shareholders, and the policies that ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

By contrast, the financial management system of a corporation specifically pertains to managing the company’s finances and making investment decisions, while marketing strategies focus on promoting and selling products or services. Human resource policies relate to managing the company’s workforce, including recruitment, training, and employee management. Each of these are important components within a corporation but does not encompass the broader scope of corporate governance as a whole.