Révision du code de gouvernance de Singapour


Le nouveau code de gouvernance de Singapour contient des changements significatifs en ce sens qu’il insiste sur les standards éthiques à respecter et la notion de parties prenantes.  De plus, il précise que les entreprises doivent considérer les facteurs liés au développement durable dans la formulation de la stratégie. Cet article, paru dans csr-asia.com, est intéressant à lire parce qu’il illustre clairement la tendance à concevoir des codes de gouvernance semblables à l’échelle mondiale.

 

CSR Asia – Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia

English: Integrated boardroom designed and ins...
English: Integrated boardroom designed and installed by EDG in 2003. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
« These changes are and address areas of corporate governance best practice – director independence, board composition, director training, multiple directorships, alternate directors, remuneration practices and disclosures, risk management, as well as shareholder rights and roles plus fundamental changes to the very first principle, which sets out that ‘every company should be headed by an effective board’….

 
However, the Revised Code also included a fundamental change to the very first principle, which sets out that ‘every company should be headed by an effective board’.   Previously the 2005 Code of Corporate Governance had set out that the role of the board was to do all those things stated below in black text. The Revised Code added the text in red, broadening its requirements to cover sustainability and ethical standards and embedding them in company strategy. Arguably, a huge shift.
  1. provide entrepreneurial leadership, set strategic objectives, and ensure that the necessary financial and human resources are in place for the company to meet its objectives;
  2. establish a framework of prudent and effective controls which enables risks to be assessed and managed, including safeguarding of shareholders’ interests and the company’s assets;
  3. review management performance;
  4. identify the key stakeholder groups and recognise that their perceptions affect the company’s reputation;
  5. set the company’s values and standard (including ethical standards), and ensure that obligations to shareholders and other(s) stakeholders are understood and met; and
  6. consider sustainability issues, e.g. environmental and social factors, as part of its strategic formulation ».