Pretext in context; Corporate governance.(Hewlett-Packard Co.)

Economist (US), The, September, 2006

What has gone wrong in Hewlett-Packard's boardroom?

TO LOSE one charismatic female corporate leader is a misfortune, to lose two is carelessness--or so Lady Bracknell might have concluded after studying the boardroom mess at Hewlett-Packard. The abrupt ending of Carly Fiorina's reign as the computer-maker's chief executive last year was sad but probably necessary, given her weaknesses--though she will dispute this in a book due out next month. Certainly, HP has thrived under her replacement, Mark Hurd. This week's news that Patricia Dunn will step down in January as chairman of HP's board in favour of Mr Hurd may not prove so inspired.

Perhaps Ms Dunn had to go, if only to satisfy the mob that reacted so furiously to revelations that an inquiry into...