Syllabus

Title
1568 Corporate Social Responsibility
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr. Maria Theresia Claes
Type
PI
Weekly hours
3
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/25/23 to 09/28/23
Anmeldung durch das Institut
Notes to the course
This class is only offered in winter semesters.
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 10/03/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM D2.0.382
Tuesday 10/31/23 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 11/07/23 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 11/14/23 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 11/28/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 12/12/23 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM D2.0.374
Monday 01/22/24 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 01/23/24 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM D2.0.374
Contents

Do firms have moral duties towards society or is the only purpose of business to increase short-term profits? There is no discussion any more about the responsibilities that firms have for a sustainable development for our societies.  Leaders of companies have become accountable for the results of their decisions for stakeholders value as well as shareholders value, profit and market share. They recognize that ethical and economic action can co-exist.

Companies use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to attract groups of responsible consumers and potential employees. The social and environmental impact of firms has an impact also on business value. Integrated CSR means a more comprehensive approach than shortsighted avoidance of ethical risk. In order to benefit the company, CSR activities must manifest the firm’s underlying purpose. CSR initiatives are voluntary acts that go further than governmental regulations. It means mindful management of both human and natural resources.

The purpose of the course is to apply the conceptual tools for thinking strategically about the challenges of global leaders in the global markets:

  • a sustainability challenge (i.e. to balance today’s ecological, social and economic requirements with those of future generations)
  • an ethics challenge (i.e. to respond effectively to complex ethical issues and moral dilemmas)
  • a citizenship challenge (i.e. political co-responsibility of global multinationals for socio-political issues such as human rights, social justice and environmental protection)
  • a diversity challenge (i.e. to respond effectively to and “to balance multiple and often competing stakeholder interests”).
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students should…

  1. Be able to display knowledge of ethics and CSR, and the role these concepts play for companies,
  2. Understand the purposes and practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR),
  3. Show awareness of the controversies relating to corporate activities in the areas of ethics and CSR, and
  4. Evaluate the validity and relevance of different external demands on business.
Attendance requirements

Continuous assessment courses (PI) are high-interactive courses. Attendance is a firm requirement of this course, as many of the learning experiences take place during class and through interactions with peers. Students should come to each class prepared to discuss the assigned readings and to actively participate in class activities and discussion. Students are asked to be respectful of the classroom environment and the time of the instructor and other students. Surfing the Internet, text messaging, and other similar disruptions to the class will have an impact on the participation component of your grade.

Students must be present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement will be de-registered from the course. According to WU regulations, valid reasons for missing scheduled sessions are those outside the control of the student (illness, accident, death of a close relative). Professional and work obligations are not valid reasons, as students have the course schedule in advance and should be able to plan accordingly.

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • Academic journal articles
  • Case studies
  • Interactive learning
  • Group activities and discussion
Assessment

The course grade will be based on:

  1. Individual essay based on James Rachels’ book (30%)
  2. Individual reflection paper (30%)
  3. Case study: group work (40%)

The use of any kind of AI-based software (e.g. ChatGPT, Bard etc.) is prohibited for examinations and performance components of this course and is considered to be fraudulent or cheating, since there would be a pretense of scientific achievements.

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists
Successful completion of the course "Introduction to Management"

Registration for the Kompetenzfelder takes place by means of a preferential application. All students who want to complete one of the Kompetenzfelder this semester must fill out the form at https://forms.gle/kMf5kBQFKKxcFjjG7 between 18.9.-20.9.2023, in which they rank the offered Kompetenzfelder according to their preferences. After the deadline has expired, these forms are evaluated and an allocation is carried out using an algorithm programmed in R. In this way, every student receives the best possible allocation.


This course builds on the knowledge content of the bachelor's degree. It has a dedicated scientific character and ties in with the current state of scientific research.

Readings

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Availability of lecturer(s)

Institut für Gender und Diversität in Organisationen:

per E-Mail:
Marie-Thérèse Claes

Last edited: 2023-07-17



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