Research Interests: Corporate Governance and Performance Corporate Governance and IPOs Corporate Governance and Ownership Structures Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors Compensations Corporate Governance in Lebanon Corporate Governance and the Banking Sector Corporate Governance at Islamic Financial Institutions Corporate Governance for Construction and Engineering Firms Corporate Governance and Stakeholders

The NBK Corporate Governance Program

Corporate governance continues to receive growing attention as shareholders and investors become more aware of their rights and with the desire of regulators to discipline the companies. Witnessing the drastic consequences of the absence of control mechanisms on corporations on the one hand and implications of governance on maximized value on the other, companies around the globe are rushing to institute sound governance structures. Corporate governance has thus fast become of vital importance for businesses worldwide encouraging value creating behavior and driving sustainability. In recognition of these facts and driven by its desire to participate in the advancement of this field, the Olayan School of Business launched a Corporate Governance Program in 2004.

The Program is devoted to advancing the development of corporate governance in the region and spread awareness, especially among students and potential business leaders. The Corporate Governance course at both the graduate and the undergraduate level became a regular elective course in our offerings. The objective is to broaden students’ knowledge of the principles of corporate governance, their intended objectives and their implications on companies’ disciplined behavior, performance, value and sustainability.

The Program has also deployed a selection of high-profile faculty members at the School to direct part of their research to their respective areas of corporate governance aiming at contributing to the enrichment of this field in the international arena. Up till now, the effort has resulted in truly distinctive research in terms of scope and quality. The research extends to corporate governance practices and their implications in a large number of countries (US, UK, France, Canada, Gulf Cooperation Council, and Lebanon) and a variety of industries (Banking, Islamic Financial Institutions, Insurance, Education, Energy, Construction and Engineering). It also tackles the area from different perspectives attempting to shed light on and explore its multi-faceted aspects

 To partner with us in this initiative, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Assem Safieddine.

Other Knowledge Centers:

• The Salim Kheireddine/AlMawarid Bank Lecture Series

• Kamal Shair Strategic Executive Leadership Program

• The OSB-Reuters Business Information Academy

• The Middle East Human Resources Forum

• The Mikati Telecom Business Research Center