Assessment Pattern

Module Overview

The rationale for studying this module is the fundamental changes to the way business will be managed in the future.  Examples such as Enron and Parmelat illustrate poor corporate governance, Rail Track’s management has led to tightening of corporate manslaughter laws, the behaviour of the banking industry has led to calls for additional taxes, regulatory change and reform to the structure of the industry and countless industries face significant change as a result of previous inaction on climate change.  Understanding CSR will be central to managing businesses in the future.

This module questions the extent to which Corporate Social Responsibility can benefit an organisation. The module aims to present arguments for and against developing CSR and how CSR can be implemented and integrated into an organisation. The module will critique CSR and so consider whether there is a future for CSR.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:   Identify ethical issues facing an organization   Critically evaluate ethical theory and its significance to business practice   Apply ethical theory to help address business dilemma   Describe the value of managing the organization in a responsible manner   Develop and integrate CSR strategies within an organization

Understanding CSR

 Why is CSR important? 
 Theories of CSR  

The Business Case for CSR 

The power of the consumer to force change 
Greening the supply chain 
Civil Society’s ability to exert pressure on organizations 
The role of the finance and insurance industries in promoting CSR
The media’s ability to demand CSR 
The importance of internal values in encouraging CSR 

Future of CSR 
Critique of CSR 
Social entrepreneurship 
Sustainable consumption 
Changing role of business in society 

The module will use a combination of delivery methods to promote learning. These will include conventional and more inter-active lectures, web-enabled support, and guest speakers. The growth of high-profile examples of poor business practice ensures there are a plethora of case studies to illustrate points. Best practice can also be demonstrated through cases and guest speakers.

 The teaching and learning methods include: 

• Lectures  
• Guest Speakers  
• Case analysis  
• Discussion groups  
• Presentations  
• Self-directed learning through: 

1.      Reading 

2.      ULearn 

Assessment Strategy

Essential Reading   Crane, A., Matten, D. & Spence, L. (2007) (eds) Corporate Social Responsibility. London , Routledge.   Recommended Reading   Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2007) Business Ethics, Oxford, Oxford University Press.   Supporting Reading   Bakan, J. (2004) The Corporation, London , Constable.   Chryssides, G.D. and Kaler, J.H. (1993) An Introduction to Business Ethics, London , etc, International Thompson Business Press.   Fisher, C. and Lovell A. (2006) Business Ethics and Values, Harlow , FT/Prentice Hall.   Hartman, L.P.  (2005) Perspectives in Business Ethics, Boston , McGraw-Hill Irwin.   McEwan, T. (2001) Managing Values and Beliefs in Organisations, Harlow , Financial Times/Prentice Hall.   Nicholls, A. (2006) Social Entrepreneurship: New Paradigms in Sustainable Social Change, Oxford, Oxford University Press.   Other Indicative Readings   Films   Age of Stupid (2009)   Blood Diamond (2006)   Blue Collar (1978)   Day after Tomorrow (2004)   End of the Line (2009)   Inconvenient Truth (2006)   Journals   Accountability Quarterly   Business and Society Review   Business Ethics: A European Review   Business Ethics Quarterly   Journal of Applied Philosophy   Journal of Business Ethics   Journal of Corporate Citizenship   Websites   Amnesty International                               www.amnesty.org   Business for Social Responsibility               www.bsr.org   Business in the Community                        www.bitc.org.uk   Corporate Watch                                       www.corpwatch.org   Ethical Consumer                                       www.ethicalconsumer.org   Ethical Corporation                                    www.ethicalcorp.com   Ethical Investment Research Services        www.eirs.org   Ethical Trading Initiative                             www.ethicaltrade.org   Fair Trade Foundation                                www.fairtrade.org.uk   Global Compact                                         www.unglobalcompact.org   Global Reporting Initiative                          www.globalreporting.org   Greenpeace                                               www.greenpeace.org.uk   Institute of Business Ethics                          www.ibe.org.uk   SustainAbility                                             www.sustainability.com   A complete list of reading specific to the topics covered will be provided ahead of each lecture

9th September 2010