Inside the Black Box: Board Observation in Practice

Abstract

Opening the of the boardroom is a crucial part of Opening Governance and therefore taps directly into the theme of this year’s Conference. With increasing scrutiny of boards since the Global Financial Crisis, a growing number of researchers are gaining access to boardrooms. There is evidence that boards play a key role in shaping strategic and organizational change but how they do this is less well understood. Recent developments in video-recording technology have enabled discreet observation, including the collection of video data, and has therefore brought boardroom dynamics out of the black box for teams of scholars to analyze. In this symposium, two experienced researchers with a strong track record in the use of video and other data will present their findings from analyzing different types of board behavior: strategizing and exercising accountability. Two discussants will initiate a lively debate to engage the symposium participants in complementary and practical exploration of the mater...