As with King III, King IV applies to all entities, and ingly employs the generic term “governing body” when referring to the primary governance structure within an entity (in the case of a company, its board).
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
King IV seeks to reinforce this qualitative application of its principles and practices, by proposing an ”apply and explain” approach to compliance, in contrast to the “apply or explain” advocated in King III.
Principle 17: ensure that responsible investment is practiced by the organisation to promote the good governance and the creation of value by the companies in which it invests.
Breach of Fiduciary Duties When directors or officers fail to follow the corporation's governing documents, they open themselves up to liability for breaching their duties of care and obedience. Officers and directors may be held personally liable in the event a breach of duty occurs.
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
Topics to Include in Your Corporate Bylaws. Shareholders' Meetings. Corporate Officers: Positions, Duties, and Appointment. Board of Directors: Number, Term, and Elections. Board of Directors Meetings. Corporate Records and Reports. Shares and Stock Certificates.
Bylaws ensure consistent and agreed-upon voting and decision-making procedures and are particularly important should an officer or director leave the company. Bylaws also help maintain separation between your business and your personal obligations or interests.
The seven characteristics of good Corporate Governance ing to the King II Report (20) are discipline, transparency, independence, accountability, responsibility, fairness and social responsibility.