Corporate Citizenship, Ethics and Governance

Prof. Chris Marsden
Spring -- 1 credit
 
The objective of this course is to get students to think critically about the role of business and any individual company in society and to develop knowledge and skills which will enable them to act and manage within their future work environment with due regard to wider societal considerations.

Topics to be discussed are as follows:

  - Globalisation and the responsibilities of business
  - Stakeholder analysis
  - An ethical approach to business - doing the right thing?
  - Corporate Environmentalism
  - Business and human rights
  - Community relations & partnership building
  - Governance and management of companies´ environmental and social performance

The course begins with a discussion of the importance of the wider role of business in society and its effective management for the future success of both business and society, in the context of a globalising economy. It considers how far business opportunities and risks arising from social and environmental issues should or should not be factored into traditional market decision making.  This is followed by study of the main principles underlying management of environmental and social issues such as stakeholder theory, issue analysis, business ethics and partnership building.    Case studies of a range of companies including Exxon, Shell, Monsanto, Levi Strauss, BP and Reebok are then studied to provide students with the opportunity to work through key management issues regarding the environment, human rights and community relations. The final sessions cover a range of practical social and environmental performance management issues such as corporate governance, investor relations and social reporting and the role of national governments, international governance agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) in encouraging more socially responsible business.