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
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate critical thinking by presenting different points of view;
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:
- critically evaluate the role and effectiveness of specific CSR initiatives and sustainable business models;
- understand and critically analyse the concept of CSR;
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
Internet Resources
Textbooks
Morrison, J. (2015). Business Ethics: New Challenges in a Globalized World. London: Palgrave.
Crane, A., Matten,D. , Glozer, S. and Spence, L. (2019). Business Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Chandler, D & Werther, W. B. (2014). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders, Globalization and Sustainable Value Creation. Sage.
Rasche, A., Morsing, M., & Moon, J. (Eds.) (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategy, Communication, Governance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cannon, T. (2012). Corporate Responsibility: Governance, Compliance and Ethics in a Sustainable Environment. Pearson.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Individual Coursework Group sessionsSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Individual Coursework | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Individual Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Individual Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External