Corporate Social Responsibility

Teacher(s)

Desmet Carlos; Hericher Corentin; Swaen Valérie;

Language

English

Main themes

The course aims at providing tools enabling the students to elicit critical thinking on ethical, social and environmental issues raised by contemporary organizations. The specificity of the firms' impact on economic life will be addressed by analyzing the principles and practices covered by the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR will be studied as a reflector of the modern firms' self-awareness process in terms of social responsibility and as a source of innovation in the face of today's challenges of competitiveness, sustainable development and transparent corporate governance. The theoretical references will moreover give way to more personal questioning periods developed by the students in terms of their own aspirations, perceptions and observations as citizens. All these elements foster personal change that in its turn conveys transformations within the chosen organizations.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Understand the background of CSR and the local, European and global contexts in which CSR is currently developing. Elicit critical thinking on ethical, social and environmental issues raised by contemporary organizations. Apply CSR theories and frameworks to analyse organizational challenges to evaluate different scenarios in practice, with a view to propose recommendations for the organization. Co-create your CSR/sustainability projects and get a feel for complex stakeholder dialogue in developing responsible and sustainable solutions. Know your personal ethical values which can help you in the future to make better choices and give meaning to your private and professional life.

Content

• Macro-trends with respect to sustainability (Main social, environmental, ethical, governance issues, Sustainable Development Goals)
• Definitions and origins of the CSR concept
• Risk & Opportunity management
• Stakeholder management, dialogue & co-creation
• CSR at the individual level
• Responsible finance
• Responsible Supply Chain and Human Rights
• CSR in other forms of organizations
• Labels and frameworks limitations

Teaching methods

• Lectures completed by strongly recommended readings of academic literature
• Practical sessions for the group case study and 1 non mandatory coaching session
• Direct contacts with practitioners sharing their experiences
• Case study analysis per group of students

Evaluation methods

The course evaluation contains individual and group assignments. The grade is composed of two parts:

• 50%: Individual assignment (in November). The individual assignment part is a written exam (in November). Materials include ex cathedra lectures, external conferences, and readings. .
• 50%: Case study (continuous evaluation). Students are assigned to a group that will deliver a final written report. In addition to the report, students will individually conduct a peer-reviewing. The case study is continuous evaluation.

For the second session, the grades obtained for the case study part (50%) remains. Students can retake only the individual assignment part (50%) which will consist in an exam. The final grade will be composed of both parts.

Online resources

Moodle

Bibliography

See on Moodle

Faculty or entity

CLSM