Corporate Strategy and Governance: An Analysis of Bentley Motors

This report examines the corporate governance of Bentley Motors, focusing on its effectiveness, challenges, and potential solutions. The introduction provides background information on Bentley and highlights the issue of conflicts of interest within the company. The literature review explores the concept of corporate governance, its impact on company success, and the problems Bentley might face in strategy formulation, such as conflicts of interest, ethical issues, and lack of transparency. The research methodology outlines the approach taken to gather and analyze data. The report also presents an action plan with recommendations for Bentley to improve transparency and address conflicts of interest, including clarifying the role of the board, establishing ethical guidelines, and enhancing communication. The analysis indicates the importance of corporate governance in maintaining stakeholder relationships and ensuring long-term success. The report concludes with references to relevant sources.

Corporate Strategy and
Governance
(Summative)

Table of Contents
Research Title: ................................................................................................................................1
Corporate governance and its effectiveness. A case study on Bentley .........................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Background of the organisation..................................................................................................1
Review of problem/issue ............................................................................................................1
Aim and Objectives.....................................................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...................................................................................................2
Research questions......................................................................................................................2
Limitations..................................................................................................................................2
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................3
To have proper knowledge and understanding of corporate governance concept and its
effectiveness in company success...............................................................................................3
To evaluate different problems that Bentley can face in corporate governance management
and strategy formulation process................................................................................................4
To identify an action plan that can be implemented by Bentley to implement corporate
governance strategies in order to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts of
interest.........................................................................................................................................5
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................6
Data analysis and Discussion ........................................................................................................10
Analysis of collected facts .......................................................................................................10
Interpretation of data ................................................................................................................11
Recommendation and Action Plan ...............................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
Online .......................................................................................................................................20

Research Title:
Corporate governance and its effectiveness. A case study on Bentley
Introduction
Corporate governance has become a vital concept to set and lead out proper transparency
and accountability within a firm to have minimum level of expropriation and also keep a check
on unfairness with shareholders (Bain and Band, 2016).
Background of the organisation
Bentley Motors Ltd is a well known and famous British manufacturer and marketer of
luxury cars and SUVs which is having its main headquarter in Crewe, England. Bentley is a
multinational company that is having a larger number of employees, managers, investors, key
partners and other stakeholders thus, it become more difficult and vital for top management to set
a coordination and balance among needs of all its stakeholders (Gerged, 2020). Therefore, proper
management and implication of corporate governance has become vital and essential for this
organisation to maintain a suitable level of transparency and accountability in its operation along
with setting a more positive relationship with all its stakeholders.
Review of problem/issue
The organisation selected for the current investigation is Bentley Motors Ltd that is
famous multinational company and operating in various parts of the world thus, an issue of
conflict of interest is faced by this company (Hardy, Lexa and Bruno, 2020). It has been
observed that Bentley is a large company that needs to manage a larger number of stakeholders
who belongs to different culture and background, thus have to face a problem of conflicts of
interest and perspectives among its key stakeholders comprises of its directors, investors and
other business partners along with top management and employees.
Aim and Objectives
Aim
“To determine effectiveness and role of corporate governance in ethics and transparency
and overcome the issue of conflict of interest within a company”. A case study of Bentley
Research Objectives
Research objectives are stated below:
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 To have proper knowledge and understanding of corporate governance concept and its
effectiveness in company success.
 To evaluate different problems that Bentley can face in corporate governance
management and strategy formulation process.
 To identify an action plan that can be implemented by Bentley to implement corporate
governance strategies in order to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts of
interest.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rational and significant as it is associated with
key issues faced in a corporate governance which become vital and important for all organisation
to keep a check and control on mismanagement. Further, current research work is vital to have
better understanding about the concept of corporate governance that is vital and essentially
needed by a firm to meet legal as well as ethical consideration while conducting its business
operations. Apart from this, current research project is also important and vital to meet the
academic purpose and educational background of the investigator along with leading improved
skills and competencies.
Research questions
 What understanding do you have about the corporate governance concept and its
effectiveness in company success?
 What are the different problems that Bentley can face in corporate governance
management and strategy formulation process?
 What is the action plan that can be implemented by Bentley to implement corporate
governance strategies in order to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts of
interest?
Limitations
The main limitation associated with current investigation comprises of access to limited
resources along with insufficient time period which has limit the effectiveness of current study.
Further, implication and use of most appropriate set of research methodology is made to mitigate
the limitation of insufficient time along with use of both primary and secondary sources of data
to ensures efficient information for meeting set objectives.
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Literature Review
This forms out to be a vital section of every research project which comprises of analysis
and survey of secondary form of data that is vital and essentially needed to set a framework and
base for an investigation (Jacoby, 2018). With respect to current investigation a number of online
articles and journals are analysed which are based on the topic of corporate-governance and issue
of conflicts of interest a discussion and evaluation of which is provided as below:
To have proper knowledge and understanding of corporate governance concept and its
effectiveness in company success
As per the information provided by the Margaret Rouse. 2020, the concept of corporate-
governance is associated with the inclusive set of practices, rules and laws which basically
governance a business firm and also sets out the way and relationship with stakeholder. Thus,
corporate governance is important and vital for a business firm to have better coordination and
balance among the expectation of all stakeholders along with complying with the set legal and
ethical consideration. Corporate governance is a vital tool to have a better management of
business operation along with leading a better way to satisfy and meet the interest of key
stakeholder which consists of consumers, employees, suppliers and all other associated parties
(Lee and et. al, 2020).
Further, an implication can be made out from the information provided by Lakshna
Rathod. 2018, that the concept of corporate-governance is vital and effective in meeting and
leading success of a company through ensuring enhanced level of management along with
leading high level of transparency and accountabilities at workplace. Beside this, an analysis can
also be made out the corporate-governance is a vital to keep and maintain an enhanced level of
check and control overall the business practises and activities going within a firm. Apart from
this, compliance of law and other ethical considerations are also the positive implication and
importance of corporate-governance within a firm. An effective level of check and control which
is lead and created by proper management of corporate-governance would lead to a reduction in
chances of frauds and accounting scandals (Mohammad, Wasiuzzaman and Salleh, 2016). Thus,
an analysis can be made out that implication of corporate governance reduces the chances of
misappropriation and frauds which ensures better brand reputation and enhanced goodwill that
plays a vital and direct role in leading improved success and better performance of a firm.
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Apart from this, it has been also observe that corporate-governance plays a vital role in
setting a coordination and balance among expectation and demand of all stakeholder thus, leads
to a more positive and optimistic relationship with business partners and investors. Beside this,
reduction in chances of chaos and frauds also boost the trust and confidence level of investors
and customers (Oliver and Picard, 2020). Therefore, an implication can be lade out that this,
enhanced level of confidence and trust of customers and investors lead to better business success
by the way of enhanced sales and productivity of a firm. Apart from this, the compliance of all
legal and accounting principles which is lead out by corporate-governance leads to improved
level of transparency and accountability at workplace which attract larger number of investors
and shareholders which ensures higher availability of resources and finance for improved
expansion and success of a firm.
To evaluate different problems that Bentley can face in corporate governance management and
strategy formulation process
With respect to the information provided by the Izawa, R., 2020, an evaluation had been
made that different problems and issues are also faced by a firm during implication of corporate
governance management and strategy formulation process. Some of the key problems and issues
that are faced while managing a corporate-governance and strategy formulation includes
conflicts of interest among directors and top management along with lack of proper transparency
and accountability. Corporate-governance comprises of a set of competent and diverse board of
directors which lead to creation of issue of conflicts of interest among there view point and
perspective which is frequently taken as main cause of corporate-governance failure within a
firm. Apart from this, some other key issues and problems encountered by a firm or company
while managing and implication corporate-governance and strategy formulation are analysed and
evaluated as below:
Conflict of interest- It is a common issue that is arisen within the corporate-governance
framework based on the fact that an officer or other some controlling member of a corporation
seemed to have some other financial interests that directly conflict with the objectives of the
corporation. This business scenario or situation is always threatening for a firm as it directly
affects the decision making and strategy formulation of top management which results in form of
deterioration of trust of investors and other shareholders. Apart from this, taking any kind of
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illegal or unethical decision due to some personal or financial influence would also call out for
legal consequence and makes a company vulnerable to litigation (Naciti, 2019).
Mitigation of accounting norms and principles- The another issue that is commonly
seen in firm comprises of overriding of accounting principles and ethical norms for personal or
professional benefits within a firm. Recently, it has been observed that many accounting scandals
and frauds had been taken place in the corporate world the biggest reason and cause behind
which is lack of proper corporate-governance and inappropriate strategy formulation. Thus, an
analysis can be made out the mitigation of accounting principles and ethical way of activities are
also the main challenges and issues which are faced by a firm while implicating and managing
corporate-governance (Phan, Markman and Balkin, 2016).
Lack of transparency- The another vital issue faced by a firm while managing corporate-
governance comprises of lack of transparency which effects the decision making and strategy
formulation. The issue of lack transparency is directly associated with the ineffective
communication and clarity in strategy formulation and decision making which creates a seance
of cohos and confusion at workplace and among key stakeholders. Apart from this, it has been
also observed that the lack of transparency also hampers the relationship with stakeholders and
resulted in form of not meeting the interest and expectation of all stakeholders comprises of
investors, partners, business clients and all other associated parties (Scherer and Voegtlin, 2020).
Thus, an analysis can be made out that many different problems are there that Bentley
can face in corporate governance management and strategy formulation process which comprise
of conflicts of interest along with mitigation of accounting norms and lack of transparency which
directly impacts the brand image and performance also resulted in form of enhnaced legal
consequence and frauds.
To identify an action plan that can be implemented by Bentley to implement corporate
governance strategies in order to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts of
interest
According to the view point Gulati, K., Gupta, S. and Gupta, C.P., 2020, an analysis can
be made out that an action plan comprises of various suitable strategy must be formed and
implicate by a firm to ensure and better management of corporate governance strategies in order
to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts of interest. A summarisation and analysis
of some of these key strategies and step[s which can be implemented by Bentley to implement
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corporate governance strategies in order to bring transparency and overcome issues of conflicts
of interest are provided and discussed below:
Clarify the role of board in corporate-governance- The one of the most vital step that
can be adopted by the Bentley organisation to overcome the issue of interest of conflicts
comprises of clearly stating and bifurcating the role of board. It is has been analysed that the
board of directors is having a clear and most vital role in formulation and adoption of strategy
that provides strategic direction to a firm thus, it become vital to clearly bifurcate there role and
responsibility on the basis of there set of skills to overcome and remove the chances of conflicts
and issues. Apart from this, a competent and viably skilled candidate must be selected in board
of directors who must determine what role is appropriate for it to undertake and clarify this
understanding with management (Tanriverdi and Du, 2020).
Appointment of independent audit committee- The one of the most viable and suitable
strategy that can be adopted by a firm to have better implication of corporate-governance
comprises of setting and leading out an independent audit committee. An analysis can be made
that keep check and regular monitoring by an independent individual who is not under the
influence of board or any other employers would lead to improved control on ongoing business
activities to ensure compliance with set legal provisions and ethical consideration. Further,
appointment of independent audit committee also ensures and leads to better check on
accounting facts and daily transaction of a company to check and remove chances the frauds and
scandals (Wibowo, 2020).
Training and development programmes for employees- Providing regular training and
development programmes for employees about the key accounting principles and theories would
ensure and lead out to better and true presentation of all facts and financial position to have
better transparency and accountability within a firm. Apart from this, regular training also boost
the morale and understanding level of employees that plays a vital role on mitigating and
overcoming the issues of conflict of interest (Phan, Markman and Balkin, 2016).
Research Methodology
This sections forms a vital part of every research work which provide vital information
about the selection and choice of research method from a set of various approaches and method
of research to conduct an investigation and research work in a more viable and effective manner.
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With respect to current investigation, research onion model has been used to ensure proper
selection of and choice of a research method along with proper justification for there use.
Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research Philosophy- There are four main forms and types of research philosophy i.e.
Positivism, interpretivism, Pragmatism and Realism that can be used by a research to
accomplish and achieve desired research objective (Naciti, 2019). With respect to current
investigation on Bentley company implication and utilisation of Positivism research philosophy
seemed to be most appropriate and suitable as it leads to an objective nature of investigation
which support a more scientific and practical way of study to achieve set objectives.
Research approach- There are two main sets of research approach comprises of
inductive and deductive approach out of which use and implication of deductive approach is
seemed more justifiable and appropriate for current investigation as it the one he support
objective nature of investigation as also effectively coordinate with positivism research
philosophy. Further, the another reason and justification for selection of deductive approach is
based on the fact that it leads to provide and better caning and testing of numeric facts and data
which are more vital to reach a specific result for attainment of set objectives (Wibowo, 2020).
Research strategy- The entire framework and design of an investigation is mainly
dependent and based on the selection of research strategy which consists of action research,
observation, survey, experiments, empharical research and many more forms of research
strategy. From these set of research strategy, use and implication of survey form seemed most
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suitable as as it facilitates a viable way to obtain sufficient sample size and collect data from a
larger number of population to accurately draw a valid conclusion.
Choices of method- Qualitative and quantitative are two vital set and form of research
method out of which one or a combination of both is applied by a research to carry out
investigation where qualitative is associated with in-depth investigation where as quantitative is
based on objective nature of research. With respect to current investigation, use of quantitative
nature of research method seemed more viable as it helps and facilitates collection of required
information in numerical and statistical set of data that is easy to collect and present (Oliver and
Picard, 2020). Further, utilisation of quantitative nature of research method is also justifiable to
have better presentation of collects facts in more systematic and attractive way through making
use of tables and charts.
Data collection and analysis- There are two sources or main origin from where data can
be collected by a researcher which comprises of primary and secondary sources of data.
Selection of both primary and secondary source of data collection are appropriate and viable for
current investigation to ensure availability of abundant and relevant set of data for current
investigation. Further, primary research is viable to have collection of first hand and authentic set
of data directly from selected participants where as secondary sources provides a time efficient
form of investigation along with facilitating support for collected data with the help and use of
past findings and research work (Mohammad, Wasiuzzaman and Salleh, 2016). Analysis of
primary data would be made with the use of frequency table and pie charts where as secondary
data has been analysed under the head of literature review in a systematic way.
Sampling- This tend to be a statistical process which is utilised under current
investigation for selection of viable sample size of a larger number of population (Lee and et. al,
2020). Through the use of random sampling method, a sample size of 50 participants had been
selected from the employees which is justifiable for collection of primary data in most unbiased
manner as it offer an equal chance of selection for all participants. Use of following
questionnaire is made for current investigation to collect primary set of data.
Questionnaire
Q1) Does any kind of information and knowledge is held by you on the topic of
effectiveness of corporate governance within success of a company?
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a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q2) Which are the main benefits of corporate governance that plays a vital role in success
of a company?
a) Enhanced brand reputation
b) Meeting of legal and ethical provision
c) Positive relationship with stakeholder
d) Better control on decision making
e) Improved transparency and accountability
Q3) Are you agreed with the fact that some issues and problems are also faced while
managing corporate-governance within an organisation?
a) Strongly Agreed
b) Agreed
c) Disagreed
d) Strongly disagreed
e) N/A
Q4) As per your view point, what could be different problems that would be faced by
Bentley Ltd in corporate-governance management and effective strategy formulation
process?
a) Conflicts of interest
b) Lack of transparency and accountability
c) Risk management
d) All of the above
Q5) What are the steps and strategies that could be adopted and implemented by the
Bentley Ltd to effective implement its corporate-governance strategy along with bring
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