Course
objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students’ knowledge
in a comprehensive way to explore the systematic approach of CSR in relation to
their stakeholders (shareholders) and the possibility of application in appropriate
international standards or initiatives for CSR implementation and CSR
performance evaluation. The key areas of study will include examine the
potential public responsibilities of corporations, explaining related
responsible approaches and concepts, the issues driving CSR and provide an
overview of the CSR development within the international standards and
initiatives. Course objectives are focused on development an ability to
demonstrate a solid understanding of CSR, sustainability, and their impact on
global society.
Competences acquired
Students will gain a
comprehensive knowledge of the roots of CSR, systematic approach of CSR to
orientate in the complex issues of CSR in relation to their stakeholders
(shareholders) and the possibility of application of appropriate international
standards or initiatives for CSR implementation and CSR performance evaluation
with emphasis on the current practice approaches. Students will gain the
ability to make CSR decisions in business by providing them with a framework
that they can use to identify, analyze, and resolve CSR issues in business
decision making.
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Content: The Meaning and Origins of Corporate Social Responsibility Introducing characteristics, definitions of
corporate social responsibility and alternative concepts or approaches is
involved in historical perspective with impact on a framework for
understanding corporate responsibility, values motivation, limitations of CSR
frameworks. Particular focus is divided into introduction of three eras of
responsibility, theories of corporate responsibility, and meanings of
sustainable development. The pillars of CSR (economic, social, and
environmental) are thoroughly explained. International Approaches and Initiatives of Corporate
Social Responsibility Introduction and characteristics of
international standards, frameworks and initiatives is significant for
implementing or managing CSR activities in both profit and nonprofit sector.
There is a systematization and allocation of individual international frameworks
in terms of their practical application. Emphasis is placed on applicability
and usability of frameworks and standards from the perspective of CSR
evaluation of performance. The Strategic Importance of CSR
Implementation CSR as a balance between organizational means
and ends is described and CSR as the strategic lens (vision, mission,
strategy and tactics) is introduced with support of the business case for
corporate social responsibility. There are presented motivating factors for
implementing CSR approach and the benefits arising from CSR strategy. Stakeholder Management and Engagement The significance of stakeholders and
stakeholder theory approach within identifying the different types of
stakeholder and difficulties with the stakeholder construct is introduced.
Stakeholder approach explore the role for stakeholders in defining and
implementing voluntary codes of corporate responsibility practice, partnerships,
alliance and standards. Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility This part provides an overview of key issues
in communicating CSR including the use of online communities. With multiple stakeholders
including NGO’s, governments, the Social Responsible Investment (SRI)
community and employees all demanding transparency, communicating CSR as a
complex is introduced. Attention is paid to CSR reporting as the key
framework for CSR communication, there are examine the theories with help to explain
the practice of CSR reporting and the feature of the voluntary nature of the
reports and the issues that surround trace the emergence and development of
CSR reporting. |