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CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

NO THANKS, NOT FOR US! (2024-10-29)

By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: CEO)

Despite the public outcries about corruption and the demand for increased accountability, in practice, the gravitas of good corporate governance continues to be trivialised. Corporate governance plays a crucial role in shaping the future strategic direction of organisations and guiding their operational conduct.  It is especially important for those holding fiduciary duties or providing advisory services related to corporate governance.

THE LINK BETWEEN YOUR GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGIC DEXTERITY (2024-05-07)

By Jené Palmer CA(SA) GCB.D (CGF Research Institute: Director)

Too many board members only view their organisation’s governance framework as a means to assess compliance. The opportunity to leverage the outcomes of governance assessments to drive innovation and strategic change are often missed because organisational leaders do not measure the dexterity of their strategic processes.

EVOLVING BOARDS: THRIVING IN THE MIDST OF DISRUPTION (2024-04-15)

By Jené Palmer CA(SA) GCB.D (CGF Research Institute: Director)

There is a Chinese proverb which states: “The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to a pitcher”. To ensure that organisations continue to thrive in an evolving business environment, boards and business leaders must embrace and adapt to the challenges being presented by shifting landscapes.

A DIGITISED GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK SUPPORTS A DECENTRALISED AUTONOMOUS ORGANISATION (DAO) (2024-04-10)

By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: CEO)

Traditional governance reporting

With the age of digitalisation firmly entrenched -- and a global economy on the cusp of the Fifth Industrial Revolution -- forward-thinking organisations worldwide have embraced the notion of equipping their workforce for greater meaning and purpose.  Considering how organisations have the technological means to streamline their business processes, which often has negative implications upon mundane and/or highly repetitive job functions, these organisations understand the importance of a more ‘human-centered’ approach to conducting their business which is fundamental to their future and sustainability.  Given the focus on human empowerment -- being one of the 6-capitals cited by the King Report IV™ for Corporate Governance -- the importance of collective governance assessments made by a much broader stakeholder group of the organisation could not be more important.

THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK® - AN ALTERNATIVE TO WHISTLEBLOWING (2023-07-21)

By Jené Palmer (CGF Research Institute: Director)

Whistleblowing can be a courageous act, but it is not always the best option for everyone due to potential risks and consequences. It is also true that by the time any whistleblowing mechanisms are used, the damage has already been done to the organisation and its stakeholders. This begs the question then: what is the alternative?

MEASURING THE ORGANISATION’S GOVERNANCE EFFORTS (2022-04-21)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)

For many years corporate governance has been a sensitive topic for many boardrooms.  In reality, despite the writing of the various codes of corporate governance, the business and state environments remain littered with examples of failed governance.

Given that the South African business landscape still finds itself in deep trouble, one may argue that the introduction of the latest King IV™ Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2016 and its outcomes-based reporting has still not had the desired impact in driving governance change.

THE PUBLIC AND ORGANISATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS – ARE THEY THE SAME? (2021-08-02)

By Dr Irma Meyer and peer reviewed by Terrance M. Booysen

When does any member of the public become a stakeholder of an organisation? How would an organisation know when such a public member -- or group of members -- has become a stakeholder? Adding to this important line of thinking, who deserves more attention: public members/groups or the organisation’s traditional stakeholders?  Is there a difference between public and organisational stakeholders and if so, what is it?

The Death of Communication Strategies (2021-04-15)

By Dr. Irma Meyer and peer reviewed by Terrance M. Booysen

Many communication specialists share the frustration of being the writers and owners of impressive communication strategies that were never, or at best, only partially implemented. They go through the process of spending days, sometimes weeks, designing creative and intelligent communication strategies, only to be confronted with every day, real-life events back at the office, rendering the strategy virtually immediately obsolete.

INTERNAL AUDITORS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE OF AN ORGANISATION (2020-08-12)

By Glen Talbot(CA) SA and Terrance Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)

People who occupy positions of authority include not only executive and non-executive directors of the board, but also managers who have the means of influencing or causing material changes in the organisation.  The latter, according to the South African Companies Act of 2008, are known as ‘prescribed officers’ and together with the organisation’s directors and internal auditors, can all be held liable for not ensuring that the interests of the organisation are being adequately served and protected.

LEADERSHIP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ACHIEVING GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OUTCOMES (2018-01-23)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Professor Michael Katz (Chairman: ENS Africa)

With the media spotlight on the dismal state of governance in some of South Africa’s public and private organisations, as well as many of its state-owned enterprises, there cannot be enough said about the enormous role and duties expected of the directors of an organisation.