300654 Corporate Social Responsibility (MA: Soziologie der globalen Welt) (S) (SoSe 2024)

Social rights and justice in all their diversity and understanding were, are and definitely will be the key goal members of any society try to reach, develop and preserve for future generations. Taking that, the course provides an insight into the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a crucial element of the existing relations between the companies on the one hand and their stakeholders on the other, including employees, local citizens, migrant communities, government agencies, environment, etc.
The course is logically structured into three parts. The first one deals with the fundamentals of CSR: its numerous definitions, principles, and arguments for/against. Special attention here is also paid to various types of stakeholders as key drivers for CSR development. The second one reveals the role of ethics and moral obligation in business and their influence on corporate behaviour as well as the role of the modern manager – an integral part of CSR provision. Finally, the end of the course stresses the necessity of CSR strategy elaboration and timely evaluation of its implementation results.
And last but not least: during the course we are going to analyse interesting case studies of corporate social responsibility (its violation) at national and international levels.

Requirements for participation, required level

Fluent English is required to join the course.

Bibliography

• Dmytriyev, S. D. & Freeman, R. E. (2023). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Critical Approach. R. Edward Freeman’s Selected Works on Stakeholder Theory and Business Ethics: 239-249.
• Sánchez-Torné, I., Morán-Álvarez, J. C., & Pérez-López, J. A. (2020). The importance of corporate social responsibility in achieving high corporate reputation. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27 (6): 2692-2700.
• Latif, K. F. & Sajjad, A. (2018). Measuring corporate social responsibility: A critical review of survey instruments. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25 (6): 1174-1197.
• Challis, P. & Challis, L. (2014). The Heart of Corporate Social Responsibility: 1st edition, London: Bookboon.
• Benabou, R. & Tirole, J. (2010). Individual and Corporate Social Responsibility. Economica, 77 (305): 1-19.
• Lindgreen, A. & Swaen, V. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12 (1): 1-7.
• Hanlon, G. & Fleming, P. (2009). Updating the Critical Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility. Sociology Compass, 3 (6): 937-948.
• Crowther, D. & Aras, G. (2008). Corporate Social Responsibility, London: Bookboon & Ventus Publishing ApS.
• Hohnen, P. & Potts, J. (2007). Corporate Social Responsibility: An Implementation Guide for Business, Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development.
• Haigh, M. & Jones, M. T. (2006). The Drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Critical Review, London: Ashridge Business School.
• Windsor, D. (2001). The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility. The International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 9 (3): 225-256.
• Jones, M. T. (1980). Corporate Social Responsibility Revisited, Redifined. California Management Review, 22 (3): 59-68.