Introduction to the Role of Business in Society

Sustainability and Strategy in International Business

Sustainability in Practice, Managing Sustainability

Sustainability and Stakeholder Management

Social Entrepreneurship

International Business and Climate Change

International Business and International Development

Sustainability and Innovation

Students will:

- critically reflect on the purpose of businesses and get to know the concepts of sustainability and CSR

- learn about the role of strategy in regards to CSR in general and in an international business context

- study sustainability practices and analyze complex business situations

- learn about social, environmental and business challenges that international companies and their managers face in a diverse multi-stakeholder business setting

- develop skills for managing various stakeholder needs

- develop innovative CSR strategies

This is a highly interactive course that requires involvement in class discussions. Participants will be exposed to case studies, videos and articles that deal with sustainability and CSR issues in various contexts. Group assignments (e.g., group presentations and a stakeholder simulation game) are also part of the repertoire of the teaching methods in this class.

Literature: This course's lectures partly base on Crane, Matten & Spence's (2014) textbook "Corporate Social Responsibilty - Readings and Cases in a Global Context" (2nd Edition, http://permalink.obvsg.at/wuw/AC11316164). A limited number of copies are available via WU's "Lehrbuchsammlung".  

- 15% individual assignment

- 35% group assignments

- 40% participation in class

- 10% peer rating

As participation is key in this class it is important that students are present at all sessions. Absences will affect a student’s grading.