Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
SP50123 Business, society and states: corporate power and accountability |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims:
1. To review systematically, and to evaluate critically, the application of alternative approaches and paradigms in the areas of business-society interactions in which students are specialising; in particular:
2. to review and evaluate the interface of business and society in the areas of socio-political demands for business accountability and social support for business activity; so that:
3. students reflect on the major forms of these interfaces and the theories which inform them.
Learning Outcomes: Students will have developed a comprehensive and critical understanding of, and the ability to develop rigorous arguments relating to: * inter-disciplinary considerations in researching contemporary business; * contemporary economic, social and political developments and their relevance for social science research in given business areas; * contemporary social problems relating to business and how they emerge; * the origins, development, activities and organisation of typical business practices; * the historical and cross-national differences in business policy and contexts. Skills: * Evaluate research and evidence critically to appropriate postgraduate standards using a variety of academic and non-academic sources; * Synthesise information from a variety of academic perspectives and non-academic sources for a relevant understanding of theoretical and practical approaches; * Communicate complex issues and perspectives through written and oral media; * Reflect on the appropriateness, strengths and weaknesses of management and social science theories, perspectives and policy making; * Recognise and understand selected management strategies for social aspects of business; * Advise others effectively and work effectively in teams. Content: The rise of the managerial-shareholder corporation. Social challenges to corporate power from collectivism to environmentalism; The role of social capital: social foundations of business enterprise from interpersonal to societal institutions, The Anglo-Saxon corporate model in comparative perspective, e.g. Italian, Japanese, and German models. Corporate social responsibility movements. |