BUSINESS IN SOCIETY
BUA5BIS
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject explores the evolving role of business in society introducing concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Stakeholders. It is based on the view of organisations as open systems and explores the interdependencies between the environment and the organisation. It introduces various perspectives on CSR, including instrumental, normative/ethical, stakeholder and political theories of CSR. Empirically it explores CSR as it relates to the workplace, marketplace, community and ecological environment, and provides an overview of how CSR can be managed with respect to strategy, reporting and auditing, and partnerships.
School: La Trobe Business School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Kate Grosser
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Students must be enrolled in LMMBA or HZMBHA or LMMBAH or LMMBAA or LZFABA to do this subject.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in a Global Context (2nd ed). London. | Prescribed | Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2013). | Routledge |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Debate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of arguments used to both describe and prescribe the relationship between business and society.
- Activities:
- Discussion, case studies, readings, assessments.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
02. Develop a range of academic outputs including an annotated bibliography, a literature review, a conference paper and a peer review of conference paper.
- Activities:
- Assessments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
03. Differentiate between corporate social responsibility/accountability, triple bottom line, corporate citizenship, social entrepreneurship, business ethics and sustainability.
- Activities:
- Lectures, discussion, case studies, assessments readings.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
04. Identify and critically discuss the most serious and urgent social, environmental and ethical challenges facing the world and business.
- Activities:
- Lectures, Readings, Class discussions, Case studies and assessments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
05. Identify and critique the range of corporate responses to these global challenges, including various sustainability and responsibility models, codes and practices.
- Activities:
- Guest speakers, Readings, assessments, Case studies and Organisational analysis
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
Bendigo, 2015, Week 29-30, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Kate Grosser
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 29 - 30
Four 1.0 days seminar per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 29 to week 30 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Regional Block Delivery dates 17 - 20 July 2015"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 short individual presentations | 3 minutes per presentation | 10 | 01, 04 |
| 10-15 minute group presentation | (3-4 students per group), (5 minutes per student) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| one 4,500-word group research paper | (3-4 student per group) (1,500-word per student) | 40 | 02, 04 |
| 2,000-word individual written assignments | 40 | 04, 05 |
City Campus, 2015, Week 11-20, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jennifer Spoor
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 11 - 20
Six 8.0 hours seminar per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 11 to week 20 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will attend 6 seminars, 14 & 15 March; 11&12 April; 16 & 17 May 9-5pm."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 short individual presentations | 3 minutes per presentation | 10 | 01, 04 |
| 10-15 minute group presentation | (3-4 students per group), (5 minutes per student) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| one 4,500-word group research paper | (3-4 student per group) (1,500-word per student) | 40 | 02, 04 |
| 2,000-word individual written assignments | 40 | 04, 05 |
Vietnam, 2015, Week 19-25, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: No
Maximum enrolment size: 60
Enrolment information: Hanoi University agreement stipulates a maximum of 60 students Cohort recruitment is capped at 60
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Amalia Di Iorio
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 19 - 25
One 3.0 hours lecture other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 19 to week 25 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 short individual presentations | 3 minutes per presentation | 10 | 01, 04 |
| 10-15 minute group presentation | (3-4 students per group), (5 minutes per student) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| one 4,500-word group research paper | (3-4 student per group) (1,500-word per student) | 40 | 02, 04 |
| 2,000-word individual written assignments | 40 | 04, 05 |