CSR

Dr. Ingrid Molderez2015-2016

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CSR - Introduction

Content1. Prerequisites2. Course rationale3. Key objectives4. Content5. Learning paths and methods6. Conditions of evaluation7. Course material

1. Prerequisite

• Critical attitude• Willingness to study independently• Respect for other opinions

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2. Course rationale• Previous years:

o Three dimensions of sustainability separately: economic, environmental, social

o Inside view on the social responsibility of organizations • CSR:

o Integrated approach of people, planet and profit/prosperity

o Outside view on the social responsibility of organizations

• Approach: critical perspective.  • Emphasis: analysis of the social (= 3 dimensional)

responsibility of organizations, rather than on only giving building blocks to manage in a sustainable way. 

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3. Key objectivesBeing able• to reflect critically on the concepts related to CSR and this

on the basis of studied frameworks • to use the concept of sustainability while evaluating

products, projects or organizations

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4. Content1. CSR, mode in business thinking 2. Top-down/bottom up: two ways of perceiving CSR 3. Triple bottom line: horizontal or vertical 4. Stakeholder approach 5. CSR: ways to measure 6. Social entrepreneurship 7. CSR as philanthropy 8. Bottom of the pyramid: role of businesses in poverty

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5. Learning paths and methods• Interactive working colleges, completed with formal

lectures and independent study• Format of lectures:

o Caseso Theoretical Frameworko Reflection (working in groups)

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6. Conditions of evaluation • Two elements:

• 50%: Written, closed book exam. The emphasis is on critical analysis, reflection (see example): lectures and project.

• 50%: Project.• Each part of the exam, must be taken. In case of

non-participation to one of the subjects, a mark of zero will be given for the total evaluation.

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7. Course material

• Slides : Toledo• Extra feedback: during consultation hours: Friday13h00 –

14h00 (Room: B06-28)

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Project work• Dossier: A challenging sustainable issue• Process:

1. Choose a challenging issue and sector (table 1)2. Create a dossier that meets ‘sustainable

expectations’ with 3 other students3. Present your dossier in a creative way

(powerpoint, video, involvement of students, …)

Project Work• Table 1

Challenging issue

Sector

Food Fashion Energy Technology

Flora and faunaLabour practicesPoverty

Project work• Elements of your paper

1. Explain why this particular issue is important for the sector of your choice.

2. Analyse how the sector is dealing with that issue: focus on good and bad cases within the sector and analyse why it is good or bad. Link it with the broader picture of CSR.

3. Suggest major changes for the sector/companies to moving towards sustainability in general and to better dealing with the sustainable issue you have opted for.

Project• Output (4 students)

o Paper: not longer than 12 pages text (illustrations and list of references are excluded)

o Presentation and participation• Criteria of evaluation

1. Academic way of writing: integration of five recent relevant academic papers (that were not dealt with during the lectures), academic way of referring, a logical structure, list of references.

2. Creative and critical analysis based on own analysis, desk research and lectures.

3. Satisfying the three elements of the paper. 4. Creative presentation and active participation.

ProjectImportant dates project• Pass on

o names of the group: 6th Oct o Topic of the dossier and date of presentation: 13th Octo Dossier:

• First version: 24th Nov (paper)• General Feedback: 15th Dec• Final version: Start of exam period (paper + digital via email)

• Dates of presentationo 3 moments:

• 24th Nov• 1st Dec• 8th Dec