Overview

This unit critically examines how businesses manage environmental, social and governance risks and have responded to stakeholder pressures to be more accountable for mitigating impacts on society and the environment. The unit reviews the historical evolution and development of the concept of corporate responsibility. It explores why corporate responsibility plays an increasingly important role as a core function in managing a business enterprise as well as emerging integrative models such as creating shared value. The unit also explores how business accounts for its behaviour and impact in society through reporting, measuring and management of its impacts.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of corporate responsibility theories, models and frameworks
  • Critically analyse and evaluate the key drivers behind the uptake of corporate responsibility by business
  • Critically evaluate the concept of corporate responsibility and future trends in the role of the corporation and in society
  • Critically evaluate and apply ethical and accountability frameworks in business

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 30 - 50% 1,2 
Case StudiesIndividual 50 - 70% 1,3,4 

Content

  • The historical evolution and development of corporate responsibility
  • Theories of corporate responsibility and accountability
  • Environmental, social and governance challenges and how companies mitigate environmental, social and governance risks
  • Social and environmental reporting and assurance, including frameworks and models
  • The role of government and policy in regulating and enabling corporate responsibility
  • Future trends and developments in corporate responsibility

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.