Processes and Education Governance

This refers to today’s article by S, Vaidhyasubramaniam titled “Values in family business” (TNIE, Saturday, 10^th Nov 2012, print version).  Excerpts:

[Quote] “……Despite SOX and the hyped corporate governance standards the number of corporate fraud pending cases saw a 37 per cent increase in the last five years……. These frauds involve [among other things] reckless board-member decisions, etc…….

….Travelling back in corporate history, the scams that have made huge sound and substance are from the board rooms or CEOs of listed companies that have many ‘outside experts’ as [board] directors.……..Recent policy moves in critical social sectors to usurp control and power from privately held entities are disturbing.……...There is no disagreement on the need for transparency and governance in privately held companies.……..Policy-makers should prescribe qualifications to become board members and ensure that promoters adhere to high standards of governance. The government should constantly monitor the same and take action against erring entities. It is unfortunate that protagonists of such neo-reform models are wiping out the apple farm instead of removing the rotten apples. They should be mindful of the fact that quality of governance is of paramount importance than the insignificant issue of family members being on board. In short, family members are not governance outcastes.” [Unquote]

Here is another report from yesterday’s paper titled “Take concrete steps to create sporting culture: Rahul Dravid” (TNIE, Friday, 9^th Nov 2012). Excerpts:

[Quote] ….“We are obsessed with results and satisfied with mediocre ones. For top performers results are merely consequences of processes, incidental to their quests for self-perfection,” the batting legend said.…..”According to him, educational institutions are among the best locales to incubate talent, whether the mental sort or the physical. He added that they are often far more adept at dealing with issues occupying the consciousness of young boys and girls than any sports federation could possibly be.”….[Unquote]

With reference to the first article, be it outside experts or family members, one cannot deny the importance of transparency and governance in privately held businesses. [See one related blog post: Ensuring Transparency in the Private Sector ]

With reference to the second one, note the important shift in focus from results to processes. As rightly observed by the cricketing legend, taking the focus away from results can produce better outcomes.  

Bottom line: Both the above articles relate to Indian educational set ups where transparent processes can foster healthy multidisciplinary interactions. Design thinking promotes this culture. [Related post on higher education]