2013/2014  KAN-THEP  Theories and Perspectives

English Title

Theories and Perspectives

Course information
Language	English
Exam ECTS	15 ECTS
Type	Mandatory
Level	Full Degree Master
Duration	One Semester
Time Table	Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board	Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Organizational Communication, MSc
Course coordinator
Dennis Schoeneborn - Department of Intercultural Communication and Management (ICM)
Main academic disciplines
Business Ethics, value based management and CSR Communication Management Organization
Last updated on 27-08-2013

Learning objectives

Students must demonstrate the ability to: Understand, compare, and discuss main theoretical perspectives, analytical models, and key issues of corporate responsibility, governance, and communication from the course Independently develop, delineate, and investigate a research question in this field Develop a coherent argument and distinct contribution to the given literature in this field Critically reflect on societal implications of matters of corporate responsibility, governance, and communication Apply theoretical perspectives and frameworks from the course to a practical management context in a solution-based manner

Examination

Theories and Perspectives: Examination form Home assignment - written product Individual or group exam Individual Size of written product Max. 20 pages Assignment type Written assignment Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time. Grading scale 7-step scale Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner Exam period Summer Term Make-up exam/re-exam Same examination form as the ordinary exam

Course content and structure

The era of globalization is characterized by a diminishing influence of the nation state and an increasing importance of multinational corporations (MNCs) that tend to operate globally and beyond national jurisdictions. At the same time, given the void in governance mechanisms on the global level, MNCs face an increasing necessity to legitimize their activities in interaction with their various stakeholders and with society-at-large. Hence, in order to ensure their societal "license to operate”, MNCs engage in activities of corporate social responsibility (CSR), i.e. self-binding efforts to consider social and environmental criteria in their business practices. However, activities of CSR are continuously monitored and critically scrutinized by activist groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which tend to accuse corporations for engaging in CSR activities primarily for “greenwashing”. This course discusses the challenges that arise for corporations to deal with the multifold societal expectations in the era of globalization. In particular, we will shed light on how responsibility is negotiated and institutionalized via the dynamic communicative interplay between corporations, their stakeholders, and the media (incl. social media). The course will feature an introduction to main theoretical approaches to CSR and global governance (e.g., functionalist perspectives, political theory of the firm, critical management studies, institutionalist theories, and communication-centered approaches). These theoretical perspectives will be applied to key topic areas of CSR (e.g., matters of legitimacy and accountability, self-governance through CSR standards and ethical guidelines, implementation of CSR practices, communication of CSR activities, or new challenges through communication dynamics in social media). Finally, we will critically reflect on future prospects of CSR. Taken together, this course represents a unique offering that closely combines literatures and perspectives on CSR from the field of management studies and business ethics with insights from the neighboring field of corporate communication studies. Students will develop a seminar thesis over the course of the semester, in which they identify a relevant gap in the given literature on corporate responsibility, governance, and communication and in which they develop a distinct contribution to this literature. As part of the supervision process, the course will feature a two-days workshop in the mid semester in which students will be given the opportunity to present and discuss their work-in-progress seminar theses.

Teaching methods

• Regular lectures and seminar sessions (based on course reading) • (2-days) Workshop (to discuss work-in-progress theses) • Practice case studies • Group work