Explanations for corporate governance non-compliance: A rhetorical analysis

Shrives, Philip and Brennan, Niamh (2017) Explanations for corporate governance non-compliance: A rhetorical analysis. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 49. pp. 31-56. ISSN 1045-2354

[img] Text
Shrives, Brennan - Explanations for Corporate Governance Non-Compliance.docx - Accepted Version

Download (271kB)
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2017.08.003

Abstract

A central element of many corporate governance codes is the ‘comply-or-explain’ system, whereby companies not complying with corporate governance codes are required to provide explanations for each item of non-compliance. This paper develops a typology for examining the rhetorical strategies companies use to persuade audiences of the need to explain rather than comply. Employing a meaning-oriented content analysis approach, the typology is applied to analyse explanations for non-compliance with the UK’s Corporate Governance Code. The sample comprises non-compliance explanations of UK FTSE 100 companies over two periods (2004/05 and 2011/12). These periods were chosen as they follow substantial changes made in the UK’s 2003 Code and 2010 Code.

There were 63 (43) (2004/05 with 2011/12 in brackets) companies not complying with one or more provisions of the Code and 146 (71) explanations for non-compliance. Key rhetorical strategies identified in non-compliance explanations include ‘minimization of negative feelings’ (the damage is not too serious), the use of ‘weasel words’ which disguise non-compliance and ‘transcendence’ (ends justify means). The research shows there is increased use of rhetorical strategies in non-compliance explanations in 2011/12 compared with 2004/05, and the strategies found seem more orientated towards misleading explanations than meaningful convincing rationales. The use of such strategies may lead to mistrust by the market or may damage the ‘comply-or-explain’ system itself. This is the first study of the use of rhetoric in corporate governance non-compliance explanations. Valid explanations are critical to the working of the ‘comply-or-explain’ system. Understanding the use of rhetoric can be helpful in assessing those explanations. The typology of rhetorical strategies developed in the paper is also applicable to other corporate situations requiring companies to provide reasons for non-compliance with principles or rules.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Corporate governance Code, Comply-or-explain, Non-compliance, Explanation, Rhetoric, Typology
Subjects: N100 Business studies
N300 Finance
Department: Faculties > Business and Law > Newcastle Business School
Depositing User: Paul Burns
Date Deposited: 16 Aug 2017 11:11
Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 09:04
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/31617

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics