Corporate Social Responsibility (5op)

Tavoitteet

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

Toteutustapa

On-line course in Canvas. The course platform opens on 2.2.2026.

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.

You are supposed to work with the diary during the whole study unit i.e. starting from the very first week.

You will be required to write reports individually and in teams. Please note that all reports are submitted automatically to Urkund for plagiarism detection.

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

Aika ja paikka

Starts 2.2.2026
Ends 10.4.2026

Oppimateriaali ja suositeltava kirjallisuus

Given by the lecturer in Canvas

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

According to the degree regulations (2024), Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. ... At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence. Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Toteutuksen tärkeät päivämäärät

Starts on 2.2.26
The course ends on 10.4.26
The deadlines for tasks are in Canvas

Kansainvälisyys toteutuksella

The course is done in English and in the assignments students use international companies for benchmarking and as an example

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

5 ECTS is equivalent to approximately 135 hours of student work.

Sisältö ja sen jaksotus

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.

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.

Arviointiasteikko

H-5

Arviointimenetelmät ja arvioinnin perusteet

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

1. Our Earth, individual work, 1-5

2. Social Responsibility, individual work, 1-5

3. Economic Responsibility, individual work, 1-5

4. CSR Report, team work (40%), grade 1-5

Your individual assignments will be taken into consideration when calculating your final grade.

All these parts must be completed before the final grade is given. The final grade is lowered by at least 0.5 if any work is submitted late. Please note that active discussion is required during the discussion weeks. If you fail to take part in any discussions, you are required to write a summary of that week's discussion.