Our Mission
Our mission is to create a global forum for corporate governance scholars, fostering collaboration to produce rigorous research, teaching, and consulting that elevate corporate governance practices worldwide. We achieve this through international conferences, doctoral consortiums, focused symposiums, and interdisciplinary research. We also provide awards for impactful scholars, academic position notices, insights on governance developments, databases of governance indicators, and white papers on public policy. Our goal is to be the preferred academic society for those dedicated to corporate governance research, teaching, and consulting.
Our History
Our Founding
ICGS: A Decade of Growth and Impact
It all began with a vision in the mind of William (Bill) Judge, an influential figure in the academic realm of corporate governance, who served as Editor-In-Chief of CGIR from 2007 to 2012. Through his editorial journey, Bill realized the profound influence that academic societies could exert on journal success. This realization sparked an idea that soon evolved into a mission: to create a dedicated space for the international community of corporate governance scholars.
In the fall of 2013, while on sabbatical at Instituto Empresa in Madrid, Bill observed the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation that was embedded in their approach. Inspired and with uninterrupted time at his disposal, he laid the groundwork for what would become the International Corporate Governance Society (ICGS).
A detailed plan was set into motion. With the support of a lawyer experienced in non-profit regulations in Virginia, Bill crafted the bylaws and incorporated ICGS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in May 2014. A dedicated web developer, Yuki Harada, was brought on board to create the society's first website, ensuring a digital presence from the start.
The organization officially took shape with an inaugural board, featuring esteemed members such as Till Talaulicar as Chairman and Ruth Aguilera as a key member, among others. On August 18, 2014, the board conducted its first meeting via Skype, marking a pivotal moment in ICGS's history.
As 2015 unfolded, so did a series of ambitious initiatives. The Annals of Corporate Governance (ACG) launched in January, providing a scholarly platform for seminal writing in the field. By fall, ICGS held its first international conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, laying foundation stones with aggressive marketing and strategic partnerships such as the one with the University of Copenhagen.
By 2015, ICGS had welcomed its 100th member, and in 2016, the first doctoral consortium was held. Partnerships continued to burgeon, including a notable collaboration with the International Finance Center at the World Bank in 2017.
ICGS was built upon three fundamental values known as the "3 Is": Inclusivity, Innovation, and Integrity. These principles dictated every action and decision. In contemplating its future, ICGS continuously asked itself crucial questions: Would it maintain its innovative edge? Would leader selection prioritize credentials or commitment? Would it genuinely embrace interdisciplinarity? More importantly, would it include scholars from less economically favored regions?
Today, as ICGS looks back on more than a decade of achievement, its founding questions continue to guide its path. ICGS remains committed to practicing what it preaches, assembling sustainably, and fostering a community where every member feels valued and respected—manifestations of a vision that began over a decade ago, driven by a passion for progress and change.
