MM334-New Directions in Business and Corporate Social Responsibility

Module Provider: Marketing and Reputation
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Irene Garnelo-Gomez
Email: i.garnelo-gomez@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

There is growing recognition of the role business and market-based solutions can play in tackling complex ‘wicked’ global sustainable development challenges, including reducing poverty, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and facing up to global climate change. Concurrently, barely a day goes by without media reports of corporate misbehaviour and scandal. This module examines the role of business in society and the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Aims:

This module aims to develop students’ awareness and understanding of contemporary debates and practices of CSR, and to encourage their reflection on the wider role of business in society and global sustainable development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module, students should be able to: 

• Discuss and critically evaluate contemporary CSR management and practice, including its application in different arenas of business activity and in relation to different social and environmental concerns. 


• Describe and critically assess recent developments in the business and society domain moving beyond traditional approaches to CSR, for instance the emergence of social innovation, alternative business models and approaches to capitalism. 


• Outline and critically evaluate the case for and against CSR. 


• Critically analyse strategic approaches to CSR, both in terms of the business case, but also their implications for society and the environment. 


• Discuss and critically analyse current research and literature on CSR and wider business and society debates, and explain the main theoretical contributions informing them. 


• Recognise an organisation’s stakeholders, discuss stakeholder theory, and critically evaluate relationships between organisations and their stakeholders. 


• Develop skills in teamwork, presentation and synthesising information. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop their team working skills through the development of a group poster, as well as enhancing their data gathering and information technology skills.

Outline content:

Topics include:  

• CSR Concepts and Theories


• CSR and the Environment 


• CSR and the Community 


• CSR Strategy and Implementation 


• Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation


• CSR Reporting

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The above themes will be taught in 10 lectures, supported by 6 hours of seminars and 2 hours of poster display/presentation. Each lecture will have required pre-reading and involve class discussion.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Individual assignment: 3500-word essay to be submitted on week 12 of the Autumn term (CV16).


• Group assignment: development of a poster (20%) and presentation (10%). The presentation will take place on week 9 of the Autumn term.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative self-completion exercises are available in the module core text book for most topics covered. Formative feedback will be provided via discussions in lectures and seminars, and through discussion boards in BlackBoard.

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.

•  where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A weighted average of at least 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

By individual project only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1 Text Book - optional and copies are available in the Library. 

Last updated: 30 March 2023