MANG6291 International Corporate Social Responsibility
Module Overview
This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the terms ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR) in an international context; how CSR is being implemented in today’s corporations, its impact and likely future directions. The module summarises the latest thinking of the strategic significance of CSR, and how CSR goes to the heart of the way in which businesses and their managers make decisions and conduct their activities. The module also explores how businesses can develop and adopt sustainable business models to secure a positive future for themselves and the world in which they operate. In the process, the module considers how CSR can lead to innovation, new business opportunities and towards solutions to many of today’s business, social and environmental problems. A key aim of the module is to enable you to understand the role and responsibilities of business and managers/owners in the context of the wider society and the future global challenges.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
CSR is a topic of growing importance, for example 95% of the 250 largest global companies now report on their CSR activities compared to 45% in 2002 (KPMG,2015). The aims of this module are to highlight some of the issues relating to business in society in the light of current global issues, and show how business can be both part of the problem and part of the solution.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- how CSR can be integrated into a company’s strategic objectives and embedded into management practices and company policies;
- the social and environmental impacts of business;
- different theories such as stakeholder theory and institutional theory;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- understand and critically analyse the concept of CSR;
- critically evaluate the role and effectiveness of specific CSR initiatives and sustainable business models;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate critical thinking by presenting different points of view;
Syllabus
• What is CSR: Carroll model, CSR activities, distinction between responsible business practices and corporate philanthropy? • Drivers for CSR from society: globalisation, power of corporations, lack of international regulation, human rights issues, poverty/inequity, externalities, sustainability and climate change. • Drivers for CSR from business: reputation, eco-efficiency, stakeholder pressure (e.g. customers, employees), regulatory pressure, legitimacy concerns. • CSR as soft regulation: ISO26001, ISO14001, UNPRME, codes of conduct. • CSR reporting and verification. • Stakeholder theory and practice (i.e. critically assess stakeholder theory and its implications in the international context). • Institutional theory • Alternative business models (e.g. co-ops, social enterprise, stakeholder boards). • Sustainable business models – how to integrate CSR and sustainability into Human Resource and management practices.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods will combine lectures with practical exercises and class discussions. Structured ‘homework’ assignments are also carefully designed to enable reflective learning and engagement with key issues. Students will be exposed to multiple perspectives (business, NGOs, accreditation and rating agencies and other stakeholders).
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 63 |
| Teaching | 12 |
| Total study time | 75 |
Resources & Reading list
Cannon, T. (2012). Corporate Responsibility: Governance, Compliance and Ethics in a Sustainable Environment.
Chandler, D & Werther, W. B. (2014). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders, Globalization and Sustainable Value Creation.
Tricker, B. (2014). Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices.
Crane, A. & Matten,D. (eds) (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in a Global Context.
Assessment
Formative
Group sessions
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination (2 hours) | 100% |
Repeat
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination (2 hours) | 100% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam (2 hours) | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External
Costs
Costs associated with this module
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:
Textbooks
Recommended texts for this module may be available in limited supply in the University Library and students may wish to purchase the mandatory/additional reading text as appropriate.
Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.