BUSINESS AND SOCIETY: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
| Title | ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ: ΕΤΑΙΡΙΚΗ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ ΕΥΘΥΝΗ / BUSINESS AND SOCIETY: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY |
| Code | 12ΕΣ11 |
| Faculty | Social and Economic Sciences |
| School | Economics |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Spring |
| Coordinator | Konstantina Kamvysi |
| Common | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 600000542 |
Programme of Study: UPS School of Economics (2013-today)
Registered students: 266
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECONOMICS | Elective Courses belonging to the other | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | Elective Course belonging to the selected specialization (Elective Specialization Course) | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Academic Year | 2024 – 2025 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Instructors from Other Categories |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Class ID | 600271640
|
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600271640
- eLearning (Moodle):
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Understand and be familiar with the basic terms/theories of CSR and Strategic CSR.
- Recognize and understand the importance of socially and environmentally responsible behavior for the long-term success of businesses in today's reality, as well as the significance of integrating corporate social and environmental responsibility into business strategy.
- Critically approach business challenges/issues using the theoretical foundation of the course, while incorporating the social and environmental implications inherent in every business decision.
- Recognize the role of businesses in Sustainable Development and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as understand the business opportunities arising from sustainability.
- Design, implement, and evaluate CSR programs.
- Identify and assess the role of stakeholders in an organization, understand CSR issues related to stakeholders, and recognize the importance of stakeholder engagement in CSR.
- Understand and deepen into CSR frameworks, standards, certifications, and indices.
- Read and prepare CSR reports that facilitate the documentation, monitoring, and evaluation of a company's social and environmental performance.
- Understand and critically assess the benefits and potential risks associated with CSR marketing.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Make decisions
- Work in teams
- Generate new research ideas
- Design and manage projects
- Appreciate diversity and multiculturality
- Respect natural environment
- Demonstrate social, professional and ethical commitment and sensitivity to gender issues
- Be critical and self-critical
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The modern international environment faces multiple challenges, including climate change, humanitarian crises, economic instability, and the COVID-19 pandemic, among others. In this context, the role of businesses is crucial in addressing social and environmental challenges to ensure the three dimensions of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental. The "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, calls on businesses, through the lens of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to transform these challenges into business opportunities.
Specifically, the course examines the rationale, definitions, concepts, and core perspectives of CSR, the evolution of CSR, the creation of shared value, stakeholder theory, and various approaches to managing and integrating stakeholders. Special attention is given to Strategic CSR and its implementation to create and lead a responsible, ethical, and sustainable organization. Furthermore, the course explores the impact of CSR on consumer behavior and analyzes the importance, advantages, and risks associated with CSR marketing. Finally, particular emphasis is placed on CSR evaluation methods and reporting.
Keywords
CSR, Ethics, Stakeholders, Sustainable Development Goals, Social and Environmental Responsibility, CSR performance, CSR reporting
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Video lectures
- Multimedia
- Interactive excersises
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
- AUTH E-learning platform
- Use of library’s electronic sources of information
- Open information sources and webpages
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 42 | 1.5 | ✓ | ||
| Reading Assigment | 15 | 0.5 | ✓ | ||
| Field trips and participation in conferences / seminars / activities | 3 | 0.1 | ✓ | ||
| Written assigments | 22 | 0.8 | ✓ | ||
| Exams | 2 | 0.1 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Total | 84 | 3 |
Student Assessment
Description
Assessment will be carried out through:
- Written or/and oral exams,
- Group project delivery,
- Participation in inclass/outclass activities
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Assignment (Formative, Summative)
- Performance / Staging (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Problem Solving (Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
- Haski-Leventhal D. (2023), Στρατηγική Εταιρική Κοινωνική Ευθύνη- Μια Ολιστική Προσέγγιση για την Υπεύθυνη και Βιώσιμη Επιχειρηματική Δραστηριότητα, Εκδόσεις Α. ΤΖΙΟΛΑ & ΥΙΟΙ Α.Ε. (Κωδικός στον Εύδοξο: 122077412)
- Blowfield, M. και Murray, A. (2021), Εταιρική Κοινωνική Ευθύνη, Εκδόσεις BROKEN HILL PUBLISHERS LTD (Κωδικός στον Εύδοξο: 102070169)
Additional bibliography for study
- Aguinis, H., & Glavas, A. (2012). What We Know and Don’t Know About Corporate Social Responsibility: A Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Management, 38(4), 932–968. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311436079
- Buhmann, K., Jonsson, J., & Fisker, M. (2018). Do no harm and do more good too: Connecting the SDGs with business and human rights and political CSR theory. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 19(3), 389–403. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-01-2018-0030
- Carroll, A. B., & Shabana, K. M. (2010). The Business Case for Corporate Social Responsibility: A Review of Concepts, Research and Practice. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 85–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00275.x
- Corporate sustainability and responsibility. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/sustainability/corporate-sustainability-and-responsibility_en
- Haski-Leventhal, D. (2021). Strategic corporate social responsibility: A holistic approach to responsible and sustainable Business, London: Sage.
- Lenssen, G. G., & Smith, N. C. (Eds.). (2019). Managing Sustainable Business: An Executive Education Case and Textbook. Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1144-7
- Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2019). Creating Shared Value. In G. G. Lenssen & N. C. Smith (Eds.), Managing Sustainable Business: An Executive Education Case and Textbook (pp. 323–346). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1144-7_16
- Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). UNDP. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals
Last Update
15-05-2025
