ABSTRACT

We explore how audit committees (ACs) oversee risk management in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), using semi-structured interviews, attendance at AC meetings and documentary analysis. We find that the AC’s oversight seems constrained by a fixation on the process of risk management, an over-reliance on risk registers, and varying levels of emphasis on operational risks. Theoretically, the AC’s oversight reflects different shades of symbolic and substantive activities designed to maintain the HEI’s legitimacy and that of its governing board, hence providing a symbolic representation. We raise concerns as to the AC’s ability to monitor effectively the HEIs’ risk management practices.

摘要

我们使用半结构化访谈，出席AC会议和文献分析的方法，探讨审计委员会（AC）如何监督英国高等教育机构（HEI）的风险管理。我们发现审计委员会的监督似乎受制于对风险管理流程的固定，对风险登记册的过度依赖以及对操作风险的不同重视程度。从理论上讲，审计委员会的监督反映了旨在维持HEI及其理事会合法性的象征性和实质性活动的不同阴影。我们对审计委员会有效监控HEI风险管理实践的能力提出了关注。