MMM034-International Corporate Social Responsibility

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: k.akrivou@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is delivered at University of Reading UK. Students will learn about the cross-disciplinary Corporate Social Responsibility subject involving firms, individuals and wider society with a focus on international management of responsibility.

Aims:

This module aims for cross-disciplinary learning of a current corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory and practice and an exposure to the ethical issues involved from the perspective of the individual (manager), and stakeholders beyond shareholders, through an integration of research-led and experiential teaching/learning. The need for a firm to fit social performance to stakeholder environment and international dynamics are explored, combining micro and macro perspectives. It’s based on business ethics, business and society and international development debates, aiming to teach social and ethical performance of firms addition to the economic and legal performance sides, aiming to develop management action beyond profit maximisation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Understanding the cross-disciplinary theories informing current CSR debates.

The ability to construct and present a rigorous ethical argument applied in the context of a global firm responsibility involving business and management. The ability to apply knowledge in case analysis from a variety of CSR and ethical theories.

An awareness of and a sensitivity for ethical and responsible business and management locally and in a global context.

Develop confidence for oral presentation and analysis skills in the subject- matter and develop capacity to debate and present a reflective analysis on the topic as part of a team project.

The ability to construct and present a social responsibility case analysis in domestic and international settings.

Additional outcomes:

Greater insight into a variety of topics that have a social, ‘ethical’ or moral aspect for future managers developing an international perspective involving responsible firm management. Students should be able to discuss in depth both practical and theoretical issues relating to the responsibility and responsiveness of business to society and ethical decision-making. The module may enable and habituate students in the personal development relevant to being a responsible professional in business management.

Outline content:

The content, taught in an interactive way, covers historical, economy and cultural analysis of CSR theory. Key theories taught involve wider literatures spanning from business and management, normative and ethical theories, business and society, international management and development approaches and they are applied to specific contexts of CSR with a focus on international business operation. We approach also CSR with a focus of theories which inform how to develop responsible and ethical management and governance. The content includes working in teams and conversational analysis, reflection and debates through contact hours (lectures and tutorials), team and individual work.

Global context:

The module deals with international issues in the specific subject, and utilises global case studies or speakers giving a global or overseas perspective.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Interactive and experiential learning methods are involved in the teaching of this module. Team work and feedback enforce the learning occurring through the contact hours, and all builds toward students’ preparation for the final assessment. Coursework based module.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

The module is 100 percent based on coursework.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework 1: CW 1 is a group coursework and combines two elements as per above table (each marked separately but they are based on the same case for each group). Group oral Presentation and Written report. Each of these weighs 15 percent in the overall module mark (total cw1 weight is 30 percent).  Due by week 28 (W9 of the spring term).

Coursework 2: One individual essay of 3,000 words with a weight of 70% in the overall assessment of the module. A 10 percent excess of the upper word limit in the word count of this coursework is permissible. Due by Week 30 (W11 of the spring term).

Formative assessment methods:

Each student group is invited to discuss their draft group presentation plan and receive formative feedback. by Week 28-29 (W9-10 spring term). Also when the groups present orally coursework 1 (group presentation) rich oral formative feedback is provided.

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average mark of coursework of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

An individual essay of 3000 words (this will be capped at 50 percent). A ten percent excess in the word count is permissible. One re assessment topic to be set by module convener.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 25 July 2019