Overview

The Corporate Governance ARC Research Project examines the structures of public administration, particularly those agencies established under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (CAC) Act 1997 Australia. It is interested in the adoption of private sector organisational structures and processes in the public sector. The study will usefully draw from international comparisons in the establishment of independent regulatory agencies and recent developments in private sector corporate governance. It will develop an integrated framework for corporate governance and customise guidance according to organisational type.

Some of the specific research questions are -

• What are the similarities and what are the differences in the governance of public sector organisations when compared to the private sector, and what are the drivers of these differences?

• What are the different types of governance arrangements within the public sector, and what are the drivers of these differences?

• How do and should boards of various kinds operate in the public sector compared to the private sector, in light of international best practice?

• How do corporate governance elements like accountability, conformance, and performance manifest themselves differently across the public and private sectors?

• To what extent are corporate governance reforms in the private sector (eg the recent Australian Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Council ‘better practice' principles of corporate governance) transposable to the public sector?

• How are the interests of stakeholders represented in the different forms of public sector governance?

• Are there principles of design and practice that can be derived from an understanding of public sector corporate governance that can guide future decisions – even legislation – in this area?

These and related questions are the focus of this major research project. The Project is interdisciplinary in character, drawing on the fields of law, political science and public administration.

For more comprehensive information go to our Project Information Sheet

Overview | Publications and Papers | What's New | Staff | Links | Contact Details

Copyright © 2004 University of Canberra

Technical Problems? blisit@canberra.edu.au
Page Content Queries? Project Director

Last Updated on 26-Mar-2007