What are potential consequences of failing to ensure proper governance in an organization?

Ensuring proper governance within an organization is essential for maintaining operational integrity and legal compliance. When governance fails, an organization may face a range of serious consequences. Potential legal issues can arise from non-compliance with regulations, leading to fines, lawsuits, or other legal actions. Financial losses might occur due to mismanagement, fraud, or operational inefficiencies that could have been avoided with effective governance structures in place. Furthermore, a lack of proper governance can severely damage an organization's reputation, eroding stakeholder trust and negatively impacting relationships with customers, employees, and the community. This cumulative effect can jeopardize the organization's long-term sustainability and success.

In contrast, the other options suggest positive outcomes like increased employee satisfaction, enhanced community engagement, and higher customer retention, which are unlikely to happen in the absence of sound governance practices. These elements typically stem from an organization that promotes accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior — all of which are foundational aspects of good governance.