Comply-or-explain provisions promote innovation because they can accommodate new ideas. Those who are not convinced that new ideas will improve governance or who see them as aspirational have less cause to argue word by word against their introduction into a code if they can explain why they are not complying. This also allows companies time to introduce new ideas at a pace that is realistic in their circumstances and to learn from the experience of others.
Proportionality means not imposing requirements that are excessively burdensome and costly, particularly for smaller businesses. Comply or explain allows companies to accept the principle behind certain provisions while arguing that in their case implementing them does not justify the costs involved. In short, comply or explain does not impose 'one-size-fits-all' solutions. In addition, it encourages the introduction of provisions that apply only to the largest companies where it is clear that general application would lead to widespread explanations of non-compliance by smaller companies.
Substance over form refers to the idea that companies complying with new provisions only do so in the belief that it will make a real difference and lead to better governance in substance. This is because comply or explain gives companies the opportunity to decide not to comply with a new provision. This decision making should encourage companies to think about the purpose of the provision rather than just making sure that they can 'tick the box.’
Comply or explain also provides long-term learning within companies. Regularly thinking through how best to address the purpose and principles of corporate governance by way of different options helps companies internalise those principles as their own norms. This is particularly important in a complex area like corporate governance: it is about human behaviour, interaction and decision making which are most effective when companies act out of their own will, rather than being forced to change through structures and procedures.