Corporate Boards that Create Value [Hardcover]

John Carver (Author), Caroline Oliver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0787961140 | ISBN-13: 978-0787961145 | Edition: 1

This book applies John Carver's highly successful Policy Governance(r) model to corporate boards. Carver and boardroom consultant Caroline Oliver explain the world's only conceptually coherent operating system for boards. This simple yet profound system clarifies roles, empowers directors and senior management alike, and makes accountability feasible to a previously unattainable degree. The authors suggest a redefinition and elevation of the value that boards should create and show how to apply the Policy Governance design to commanding company performance. Corporate Boards That Create Value gives corporate directors and all who care about governance a powerful tool for success.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Here's a timely thought: corporate boards should govern their organizations, rather than simply condoning the antics of aggressive CEOs. While most corporate boards offer their company little more than a group designed to hire and support the CEO, Carver and Oliver outline a broader set of duties for a responsible, more effective board, including the practice of setting management expectations and evaluating performance. The essence of this book is contained in the case the authors make for a chief government officer to replace the traditional chairman position. The point is to create board leadership that lives much closer to the organization's management. Thus, instead of a gap between the CEO and the chairman, there would now be an overlap, which would give the board more governing relevance. Light reading this isn't, but for those serious about changing corporate governance (and who isn't after Enron?), this is an excellent resource.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"?a valuable and enjoyable read?well worth adding to the bookshelf?"(Ps.advisor, 18 October 2002)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 175 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (August 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787961140
• ISBN-13: 978-0787961145
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Carver is internationally known as the creator of the breakthrough in board leadership called the Policy Governance model and is the best-selling author of Boards ThatMake a Difference (1990, 1997, 2006). He is co-editor (with his wife, Miriam Carver) of the bimonthly periodical Board Leadership, author of over 180 articles published in nine countries, and author or co-author of six books. For over thirty years, he has worked internationally with governing boards, his principal practice being in the United States and Canada. Dr. Carver is an editorial review board member of Corporate Governance: An International Review, adjunct professor in the University of Georgia Institute for Nonprofit Organizations, and formerly adjunct professor in York University's Schulich School of Business.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solution That Works, December 2, 2002

By 

Jannice Moore (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Corporate Boards that Create Value (Hardcover)

Shareholders today are becoming used to scanning the headlines for the most recent corporate disaster. Where were the boards that were theoretically looking after the shareholders' interests? While there has been much public moaning about the problems, most of the "solutions" being proposed are band-aid therapy, neglecting the root problems: lack of clarity about the role of governance, and lack of a systematic approach to ensure accountable governance while at the same time appropriately empowering management.

The Policy Governance model described in this book provides a solution. Boards that conscientiously apply the principles set out in the model can be confident that they are indeed fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders. This book provides the clearest, most straightforward and lucid explanation of the principles necessary to responsible governance that I have seen in my years of experience as a governance coach and consultant. I highly recommend it, not only to corporate boards, but to governing boards of any organization.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with Knowledge!, October 11, 2002

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Corporate Boards that Create Value (Hardcover)

One common thread has connected the companies involved in the recent spate of high-profile corporate bankruptcies and scandals: The failure of boards of directors to control management. John Carver, an international consultant on corporate governance, explains the role of the board of directors and defines the proper relationship between the board and top management. To summarize: The board commands; management obeys. Since this is all too often not the case, we from getAbstract strongly recommend that everyone in business read this book for its essential advice on strengthening the authority and accountability of corporate boards of directors.