Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- analyze environmental, social and economic responsibilities in service business
- develop sustainable practises in organisations

Teaching methods

On-line course in Canvas, no lectures.

Teacher in charge: kaija.koivusalo@laurea.fi

Location and time

Starts May 15th and ends August 31st, 2023

Learning materials and recommended literature

Given by the lecturer in Canvas

Students workload

5 credits

Content and scheduling

There are no contact lessons during this study unit. You will work online, both individually and in teams, and actively participate in online discussions and carry out assignments.

1. Our Earth, individual work

What is biodiversity? How is it influenced by my footprint? What choices do I have? All our actions have an effect on the environment but what are the main threats the world is facing?

In the first part of our study unit you will explore the environmental challenges the world is facing.

2. Social Responsibility, individual work

Organizations around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the need for socially responsible behavior. A socially responsible organization has a good reputation, is able to attract and retain workers and customers, and is able to maintain its employees' morale and commitment.

ISO 26000 provides guidance for all types of organisations on concepts, terms, definitions, principles, and the core issues of social responsibility. GRI reporting system helps the companies to communicate the impact of business on critical sustainability issues. EU is currently finalizing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and introducing sustainability reporting requirements (ESG reporting).

3. Economic Responsibility, individual work

Organisations have economic responsibilities to their stakeholders: investors, employees and customers. Profitability is important as well as transparency in giving information about how the organisation is run.

GDP is a widely-used indicator of a nations' economic success. What are the shortcomings of this measure? Is it actually a good indicator of well-being?

What is HDI? What are externalities? You will learn to define these in this third part of the study unit.

4. CSR Report, team work

You will now summarize everything you have learned so far.

In teams you will write a report where you describe the environmental, social and economic responsibilities including circular economy of an organisation of your choice. Find/choose a small- or medium-sized company (SME*), interview a company representative and describe the company’s best practices in the above areas (environmental, social and economic).

Feel free to include photographs showing examples of innovative practices. Your final report, excluding pictures, should be 5-10 pages.

5. Learning diary, individual work

You are required to compile all your contributions to any discussions in the individual learning diary.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

The study unit will be evaluated based on your individual assignments, active discussion on each topic, team report and learning diary.

1. Our Earth, individual work, Pass/Fail
2. Social Responsibility, individual work, Pass/Fail
3. Economic Responsibility, individual work, Pass/Fail
4. CSR Report, team work (40%), grade 1-5
5. Learning diary, individual work (60%), grade 1-5

Further information

The learning outcomes of the study unit/project are evaluated based on the requirement level 2 of Laurea's common evaluation criteria.