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MN50456: Corporate social responsibility in an international context

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take MN50480
Aims: This unit aims to expose students to issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), particularly as they relate to the sphere of international relations. This will include the management of CSR within multinational companies in addition to the impacts of global economic integration on local communities. A multi-disciplinary approach will be adopted, drawing upon conceptual perspectives from economics, management, ethics and politics to provide a holistic view of some of the most challenging issues facing business today.

Learning Outcomes: This unit will enable students to engage with and appreciate the complex social and environmental issues that arise within today's global business environment. Students will develop the capacity to evaluate the salient social and environmental issues facing companies. Upon completing the unit, students will be able to critically assess different approaches to the management of international CSR issues, and evaluate the prospects and limits of different policy approaches related to these issues.

Skills: Critical writing (F, A)
Interpretation of data (T, A)
Application of theories from economics, political science and sociology to real world cases (T, A)
Ability to use internet resources (F).

Content: The unit addresses a variety of issues concerned with the management of corporate social responsibility in an international context. Many of the issues explored concern the management of CSR within multinational companies, others relate to the wider societal impacts of business on wider economic, ecological and social development. Topics addressed include, but will not be restricted to: social and environmental issues in the context of global supply chains, corruption and managing in corrupt environments, the role and effectiveness of codes of conduct in managing ethical issues in international business, the resource curse and the relationship between CSR and development, strategies for serving "bottom of the pyramid" markets. These topics will be investigated from the perspective of corporate management and possible responses via programs to ensure corporate social responsibility. In addition, these topics will also be explored from the perspective of government and with regard to different policy tools for encouraging or regulating better corporate behaviour.

Programme availability:

MN50456 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
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