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FutureLearn

A Beginner’s Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility

The University of Warwick via FutureLearn

This course may be unavailable.

Overview

Explore the principles of corporate social responsibility

Corporations are increasingly expected to be visibly socially responsible, driving sustainable development and maintaining transparency in reporting their processes.

On this six-week course from the University of Warwick, you’ll reflect on how businesses engage with and report on the three pillars of sustainability. You’ll further your understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in different contexts and learn how to embed CSR principles into your operations.

Examine international perspectives on globalisation and sustainability

You’ll be introduced to key concepts including corporate social responsibility, corporate citizenship, business ethics, and the social licence to operate, allowing you to fully understand how a corporation should interact with these concepts when driving sustainable development processes.

You’ll explore the global nature of business operations, and examine CSR processes in international contexts, allowing you to assess how sustainability practices differ around the world.

Investigate the relationship between corporations and stakeholders

It can be difficult to plan a CSR initiative that represents the interests of all stakeholders within an organisation.

You’ll explore corporate relationships with employees, consumers, government, suppliers, civil society, analysing stakeholder expectations and how your organisation can deliver on the CSR principles that represent all stakeholders.

Learn how to deliver CSR reports

You’ll be introduced to international frameworks and learn what should be included in a comprehensive CSR report.

Using case studies from different global contexts, you’ll finish this course having gained insights into reporting styles and learn how to model your own report to reflect the context of your organisation.

This course is designed for mid-level managers and employees interested in how to embed corporate social responsibility principles in their operations.

It will benefit both those already in the role of reporting corporate social responsibility and those new to the concept.

Syllabus

  • Understanding concepts and approaches
    • Welcome to the course
    • Some basic concepts and theories
    • Reflect on what you have learnt
  • Globalisation and sustainability. The triple bottom line
    • The global nature of businesses operations
    • Revisiting your understanding
  • The relationship of the company with shareholders and suppliers
    • The relationship of the company with shareholders
    • The relationship of the company with suppliers
    • Alternative business models
  • The relationship of the company with employees and government
    • The relationship of the company with employees
    • The relationship of the company with government
    • Revisiting the image of the corporation
  • The relationship of the company with consumers and civil society
    • The relationship of the company with consumers
    • The relationship of the company with civil society
    • Revisiting your understanding
  • Corporate Social Responsibility reporting
    • Welcome to week 6
    • What to report and how to report
    • Examples of reporting
    • Finishing the course

Taught by

Rosa Fernandez

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