• be familiar with and able to analyze, compare and critically reflect upon the concepts, theories and perspectives relating to CSR that have been presented and discussed during the course
• understand and be able to explain and reflect upon the most recent developments (practical and theoretical) in the field of CSR
• be able to put the concepts, theories and perspectives of the course to use in an empirical analysis of a CSR-related topic exemplify concepts and theories by relating them to present day challenges met by private businesses and other organizations

The aim of the course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of current developments in the broad field of CSR (corporate social responsibility). Students will be working on corporate cases and discussing topics such as globalization and global governance, global supply chains, business-NGO partnerships, organizational implementation of responsible business practices, and the value and limits of strategic approaches to CSR. Apart from viewing CSR as a global concern, the course will contextualise debates around responsible business by emphasising country- and industry-specific concerns. Intellectually, the course provides students with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the frontiers of knowledge in the field as many of the most significant recent research contributions are read and discussed.

Watch Steen and Andreas talk about the ideas and thoughts behind the course here: http://vimeo.com/64886423

COURSE OUTLINE

Part I: Introduction
1.The changing role of business in global society
 
Part II: Framing the responsibility debate
2. Understanding CSR
3. Countries, industries and institutional difference 
4. Pros and cons of strategic CSR
5. Rules vs. ethics: Limitations of codified responsibility

Part III: Implementing responsible business practice 
6. Managing labor rights in global supply chains 
7. NGOs and corporations: Between confrontation and collaboration
8. Anti-Corruption and the problem of weak governance
9. Soft Law - Implementing Standards for Responsible Behaviour

PART IV: Wrap-up
10. Responsible business and You - The role of personal values






 

Indicative literature:
 
Campbell, J.L. (2007): “Why Should Corporations Behave in Socially Responsible Ways? An Institutional Theory of Corporate Social Responsibility”. Academy of Management Review, vol. 32(3): 946-967.

Donaldson, T. (1996): "Values in Tension: Ethics Away from Home".Harvard Business Review, vol. 74: 48-62. 

Frederick, W.C. (1978/1994): “From CSR₁ to CSR₂: The Maturing of Business and Society Thought”. Business and Society, vol. 33(2): 150-164.

Ghoshal, S. (2005): “Bad Management Theories Are Destroying Good Management Practices”. Academy of Management Learning & Education, vol. 4(1): 75-91.
  
Jones, C. (2003): “As if Business Ethics Were Possible, ‘Within such limits’ ...”. Organization, vol. 10(2): 223-248.

Karnani, A. (2011a): “Doing Well by Doing Good”: The Grand Illusion. California Management Review, vol. 53(2): 69-86.

Lawrence, A.T. (2010): "Managing Disputes With Nonmarket Stakeholders: Wage a Fight, Withdraw, Wait, or Work It out?,California Management Review, vol. 53: 90-113.
 
Matten, D. & Crane, A. (2005): “Corporate citizenship: toward an extended theoretical conceptualization”. Academy of Management Review, vol. 30(1): 166-179.

Matten, D. & Moon, J. (2008): “ ‘Implicit’ and ‘Explicit’ CSR: A Conceptual Framework for a Comparative Understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility”. Academy of Management Review, vol. 33(4): 404-424.

Moss Kanter, R. (2011): “How Great Companies Think Differently”. Harvard Business Review, November issue:  66-78.

Porter, M.E. & M.R. Kramer (2011): “Creating Shared Value”. Harvard Business Review, January-February Issue: 62-78.

Rasche, A. (2012): "The United Nations and Transnational Corporations: How the UN Global Compact Has Changed the Debate". In: Lawrence, J &  Beamish, P. (eds.): Globally Responsible Leadership: Business According to the UN Global Compact (33-49). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Rivoli, P. & Waddock, S. (2011a): “First, They Ignore You ...”: The Time-Context Dynamic and Corporate Responsibility. California Management Review, vol. 53(2): 87-104.

Roberts, J. (2003): “The Manufacture of Corporate Social Responsibility: Constructing Corporate Sensibility”. Organization, vol. 10(2): 249-265.

Scherer, A.G. & Pallazzo, G. (2007): “Towards a Political Conception of Corporate Responsibility: Business and Society Seen From a Habermasian Perspective”. Academy of Management Review, vol. 32(4): 1096-1120.

Vallentin, S. & Murillo, D. (2012). “Governmentality and the Politics of CSR”. Organization, vol. 19(6): 825-843. 

Zadek, S. (2004): "The Path to Corporate Responsibility". Harvard Business Review,vol. 81: 125-132.
 

 

 

 
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