2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS2970 Corporate Social Responsibility

10 creditsClass Size: 280

Module manager: Dr Matthew Davis
Email: m.davis@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

LUBS2790 Corporate Responsibility

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Knowledge of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is critical for all managers and those involved in business. The recent international banking crisis and high profile disasters in the textiles industry have illustrated the social and business cost of poor ethical and CSR decision-making. The CSR dilemmas and problems that managers need to negotiate are becoming ever more complex due to the nature of globalization and the emergence of developing economies. Too often CSR is seen as a public relations issue. This module offers an overview of the key issues involved in CSR and the challenges facing modern organizations putting these principles into practice. The module examines the responsibility business has to society and how the balance can be managed. The module helps you to identify CSR issues, make informed decisions and articulate these to stakeholders. The module showcases research into supporting environmentally sustainable behaviour and the role of social enterprise. Ethical reasoning is introduced – in particular the question of to whom a firm is responsible. Key ideas and practices are highlighted using case studies and video clips. The inclusion of an external speaker will also help you to appreciate CSR in practice. The module includes a group task designed to get you actively involved in researching the topic. This module is designed to be accessible for all, regardless of subject discipline, but students with some organizational experience or business knowledge will probably relate more easily to some of the material. The module supports and encourages you to engage with, and learn from, CSR theory and think about how to put it into practice.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview of the key issues concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the ethical and sustainability challenges facing organizations. It will explore the relationship between business and society, how the balance may be managed and strategies to support CSR and sustainability. This module offers students an insight into global citizenship and the responsibilities of business to their stakeholders – important for anyone entering the modern business world.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Recognise and summarise key terms, business practices and relevant theories relating to CSR and sustainable development
- Explain the business case for CSR
- Identify and give examples of different stakeholders and recognise that they may hold different positions on issues of CSR
- Explain the relationship business has with poverty
- Critically assess the impact that CSR has made

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have developed the skills necessary to:
Subject specific
- Identify and discuss differing ethical and social issues facing organisations
- Develop and articulate logical arguments to support the goal of CSR

Transferable
- Work effectively as part of a group
- Present clearly to an audience

Syllabus

Indicative content:
Introduction

Introduction to the module, history of CSR and key CSR concepts.



Stakeholder Theory and Stakeholder Management 

Discussion of theories relating to stakeholders and shareholders.

The Business Case 

Exploring the business case for becoming a socially responsible corporation.



Sustainable Development 

Understanding sustainability and sustainable development.



Business and Poverty

Considering how business may be both a cause, victim and solution to poverty.



Ethical Decision Making & Whistleblowing
Exploring ethical decision making in business and supporting whistleblowing. 



Promoting Environmental Behaviour in the Workplace

Exploring strategies available to managers to support environmentally sustainable work behaviour and culture.



Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Enterprise

Examining the role of social enterprise in delivering the triple bottom line.



Impact and Future of Corporate Social Responsibility 

The impact and future of CSR.



Review

Drawing together the themes explored during the module and looking at the exam requirements.



Supported by five interactive seminars designed to deepen students’ understanding of the topic by debating ethical issues involved in applying CSR in business, a practical group task involving a corporate partner and an exam preparation session. Supplemented by an additional guest lecture from an external speaker involved in CSR showcasing real business perspectives on CSR.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			84.00
Total Contact hours			16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Class learning is supported by a range of online video and other resources accessed through the VLE. Students are also expected to further their understanding through reading. The module has a core set of readings, provided as a course-pack. There will also be a reading list of contemporary journal articles to deepen coverage of specific topics.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance will be expected at every lecture and workshop session, non-attendance without good reason will be followed up.
- Progress issues will be addressed informally during the interactive workshop sessions.
- The VLE will be used to facilitate on-going discussions, enabling students to raise issues with both staff and other students on the module.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Resit will be 100% by exam.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/12/2017

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