Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business

Module overview

This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business (SB); how CSR and SB models are 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 SB, and how CSR and SB go to the heart of the way in which businesses make decisions and conduct their activities. In the process, the module demonstrates how CSR and SB can lead to innovation, new business opportunities and towards solutions to many of today’s long-standing business, social and environmental problems. The module additionally includes perspectives that critique CSR in terms of being about reputation management rather than socially responsible business practices. Content is regularly updated to reflect the challenges organisations face in meeting the transition to net zero and presents latest examples of circular economy approaches.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

apply logical and critical analysis to complex ethical issues;
critically evaluate existing CSR initiatives, and appropriate courses of managerial action from a range of alternatives;
present convincing and well-argued cases for particular CSR-related decisions;
synthesise information and write and debate analytically on the subject.
be aware of, and understand, the appropriate relevant research literature;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the relevance of stakeholder theory and the role and importance of CSR in 21st Century organisations;
the extent to which business can meet the challenges of sustainable development;
how CSR is being practiced in various organisations;
the strategic significance of CSR for business;
the role and importance of non-financial reporting.
the changing role and expectations of business in society;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

contribute successfully to a peer work group;
confidently present a particular course of action and justify it with reference to theoretical literature and relevant examples;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be primarily lecture-base and involve e-learning discussion groups, open debate, case studies, group work, and videos. You will be expected to actively participate in the learning process, using Blackboard or other facilitative media.

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	25
Wider reading or practice	25
Lecture	24
Revision	16
Tutorial	10
Follow-up work	25
Completion of assessment task	25
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Rasche, A., Morsing, M., & Moon, J. (Eds) (2017). Corporate social responsibility: strategy, communication, governance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S and Spence, L. (2019). Business Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Crane, A., Matten, A., Spence, L. (eds.) (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in a Global Context. London: Routledge.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

In-class activities

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: You will work in groups to discuss issues and content covered in lectures and weekly learning blogs
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Group presentation	20%
Critical commentary	80%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Blog	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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Blog	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External