Business Administration, CSR and Business Ethics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• give an account of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and of related concepts used within the sustainability field – in terms of content, background, development trends and relevance for the business sector – enabling them to keep abreast of the knowledge development within the field
• understand and discuss theoretical perspectives on CSR and related concepts, and have an understanding of the basic analytical and conceptual framework for business ethics
• describe the basic setup, structure and procedures of CSR efforts within the business sector
• discuss various methods for and forms of management, control and strategy linked to CSR and ethics within organisations
• account for social entrepreneurship and its relationship to CSR and other related concepts.

Competence and skills

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• identify and analyse problems and development needs related to the practical setup and content of CSR efforts, from both an internal and external business perspective
• identify, evaluate and propose solutions to ethical problems in businesses and organisations based on an analytical and conceptual framework for business ethics
• apply and integrate various methods, models, scientific findings and theoretical perspectives for analysing, explaining and discussing matters related to CSR and business ethics
• communicate on CSR and business ethics, in both writing and orally, tailoring the information to various target groups and situations.

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• reflect on and relate to the business sector’s role and business practices from different ethical perspectives
• approach CSR and business ethics from different perspectives, including the management, strategy, risk and stakeholder perspectives
• analyse and evaluate existing research, practice and development within the CSR field, using different theoretical starting points but also considering various competence needs – both their own and that of others.

Content

On the course, we review CSR and business ethics from several different perspectives, including various practical, theoretical and philosophical aspects. The goal is for students to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to understand the relevance of these matters within businesses and organisations.

The course covers the following themes:

• CSR as a concept, its background, content and development trends
• theoretical and moral-philosophy starting points in order to understand, analyse and evaluate questions of ethics facing businesses and organisations
• theoretical starting points in order to understand, analyse and evaluate CSR practices, CSR strategy and underlying reasoning behind CSR
• questions of ethics within organisations and the control of such ethics
• national and international institutions, standardisation and regulations of significance to CSR
• current practical challenges within the CSR field
• risk, management, strategy and stakeholder perspectives on CSR
• social entrepreneurship
• current research within the CSR field, based on different theoretical perspectives.

The course has two components. The first component offers an introduction to all themes discussed on the course and is completed by means of a written exam. This examination includes concepts as well as the theory and practice surrounding CSR and business ethics (corresponding to the first five intended learning outcomes listed above). The second component examines problems, roles and reflection surrounding CSR and business ethics, as well as written and oral skills (corresponding to the seven last intended learning outcomes listed above). For the second component, students submit a term paper, the examination of which will take place at a compulsory seminar.

Examinations and grades

CSR and Business Ethics: Concepts, Theory and Practice, 4.5 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

CSR and Business Ethics: Problems, Function and Reflection, 3 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

On the course, the grading scale, E-A is used where Fail (F), Sufficient (E) Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) and Excellent (A). To be awarded a Pass for the whole course, students must earn at least the grade (E) on both assignments. The grade for the whole course is awarded as a weighted average of the written examination and hand-in assignment.

Modes of assessment

Concepts, Theory and Practice, 4.5 credits (Code: A003)
Written Examination.

Problems, Function and Reflection, 3 credits (Code: A004)
Written Assignment presented and discussed at a mandatory seminar.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

First-cycle courses of 75 credits in Business Administration or first-cycle courses of 60 credits in Business Administration and a first-cycle course of 30 credits in another field of study including an independent project/bachelor thesis of 15 credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

If students do not meet the deadline for an examination, the examiner will decide which form the examination should take and, when relevant, the time frame for this.

The examiner may decide that students who have not received a passing grade on the course are to complete supplementary assignments instead of sitting a retake. Any supplementary assignments are to be submitted to the lecturer as instructed.

Make-up assignments are to be completed as soon as possible and as instructed by the lecturer.

The language of instruction may be given in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Borglund, Tommy et al (latest edition)
CSR and Sustainable Business,
Stockholm: Sanoma Utbildning, 372 pages

Further readings in the form of articles will be added as instructed by the lecturer, maximum of 500 pages.