Question

(a) Based on the information provided, describe the ways in which Volkswagen did not fulfill the requirements of effective corporate governance.
(b) In what ways did the Board of Directors sidestep its obligations to protect shareholder interests?


(c) How could Volkswagen better select its Board of Directors to avoid mistakes such as the emissions
scandal in 2015?

Answer 1

Answer:

I believe Volkswagen did not fulfill the requirements of effective corporate governance mainly because the board didn’t have enough independent directors present.

The essential driver is the nonappearance of a solid gathering of independent directors. In view of German Corporate law, administration is given by a Management Board and a Supervisory Board, with representatives making up half of the Supervisory Board. This ought to have took into consideration in any event half of the Supervisory Board to be completely independent. While remaining inside the 'letter of the law,' they evaded the 'spirit of the law' by cycling recent former senior executives through the Supervisory Board Chairmanship position and other board positions. This had the impact of expelling genuinely independent oversight.

To select the next board members and avoid any future issues Volkswagen can keep in mind the following things about the board that it is :

Is well informed about the company’s performance.

Guides and judges the CEO and other top executives.

Has the courage to curb management actions the board believes are inappropriate or unduly risky.

Certifies to shareholders that the CEO is doing what the board expects.

Provides insight and advice to management.

Is intensely involved in debating the pros and cons of key decisions and actions

Explanation: