In a culture increasingly dominated by business, the corporation is the quintessential enterprise, representing everything that is popularly considered both good and bad about business. "The Corporation" provides readers with a basic understanding of how a corporation works. Part I addresses the importance of the corporation - how and why it developed historically, how it became the dominant business form, and its role in the economy today, including its contributions to Gross Domestic Product and employment. Part II focuses on the nature of a corporation as a business entity, including the process of incorporating, laws and regulations that influence its daily operations, and a comparison with other business entities around the world. Part III explores issues related to ethical conduct and accountability - governance, auditing and financial reporting, business-government relations, social responsibility, and compensation of directors and executives - and considers the future of the corporation in an era of economic anxiety. Featuring many company examples, illustrations, charts, a glossary, timeline, and listings of resources and references, "The Corporation" is an essential introduction to business and its role in society.