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2012/2013  BA-HA_HU27  Business, Society and Ethics

English Title
Business, Society and Ethics

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration Summer
Course period NOTE: The course schedule is at the moment ONLY available at www.cbs.dk/summer
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Faculty - William Holmes, Simon Fraser University
    Patricia Plackett - Department of Operations Management
Main Category of the Course
  • Business Ethics, value based management and CSR
Last updated on 23-04-2012
Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
  • Apply effective issues management and decision-making criteria to current business problems.
  • Exhibit broad comprehension of concepts, theories, models and frameworks necessary to analyse the relations between stakeholders when addressing ethical dilemmas
  • Discuss the evolution of corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship in light of the increasing level of globalization of business
  • Recognize and describe the crucial role of corporate governance in corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility
  • Critically analyse the ‘triple bottom line’ and ‘sustainable business’ as potential goals for corporate behaviour
  • Critically evaluate the changing role of corporate citizenship in the context of globalization, current environmental issues and changing technologies
  • Discuss and propose alternative solutions to current real world ethical issues and cases
Examination
Business, Society and Ethics
4-hour written exam:
Type of test Written Exam
Marking scale 7-step scale
Second examiner No second examiner
Exam period Summer Term
Aids Closed Book
Duration 4 Hours
Closed book exam: No exam aids permitted with the exception of an English language dictionary

Mandatory feedback assignment: Please note that in order to write the exam, students must have successfully participated in the assigned mandatory group presentation.
Course content
Most undergraduate business programs now require core courses in Corporate Governance and Corporate Citizenship.  This course introduces Corporate Citizenship in the context of the global business environment.  Particular attention is paid to corporate citizenship and sustainability. Ethical issues and dilemmas are analysed using a stakeholder approach, exposing the students to the varying and often conflicting approaches to ethical problem solving. 
 
Groups of students will be assigned and tasked with presenting a case to the class.  This presentation will not be graded but satisfactory completion is a prerequisite for taking the final exam. 
 
The course will be tentatively structured as follows;
 
Lesson 1 Course overview
Lesson 2 Introduction to ethical theory, justice and fairness
Lesson 3 Corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility
Lesson 4 Issues management
Lesson 5 Corporate governance and responsibility in finance and accounting
Lesson 6 Corporate social responsibility in marketing and product liability
Lesson 7 Globalization and environmental sustainability
Lesson 8 Citizenship and sustainability issues in international business
Lesson 9 Corporate citizenship in a competitive environment.
Lesson 10 Image and leadership in an age of technological change 
 
The teaching methods used in this course will include lecture, case presentations, class discussion, written assignments, case analysis, and experiential exercises.  Students are expected to master material assigned in readings, presented in class lecture, and introduced in case discussions.
 
The course’s development of personal competences:
Students are expected to be active participants in the learning experience as opposed to passive receptacles for information.  The importance of clear and concise written and verbal communication will be stressed throughout the course.  In addition to the material covered in the text, students will develop hands-on skills in case analysis, group dynamics and formal business presentations.
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars, case study discussions and presentations
Expected literature
Textbook:
Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2007, Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization, (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, 522 Pages (exclusive of references).
Last updated on 23-04-2012