Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
LO1. Discuss and present the various forms of causality between sustainability and the environment. LO2. Provide skills and tools for economic analysis to analyze the environment and energy. LO3. Discuss the concepts and models of CSR as well as the importance of CSR in the contemporary business context. LO4. To provide the skills and tools needed to implement an integrate corporate social responsibility strategy across the whole company.
Syllabus
S1. SUSTAINABILITY
S1.1 The environment in the sphere of economy and management S1.2 The Concept of Sustainability in the Economy, Energy and Environment perspective S1.3 The environmental Kuznets curve S2. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) S2.1 Thinking About CSR
S2.2 CSR Approaches and their Implementation
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
S1.1 and S1.2 allow the understanding of sustainability, environment, and energy from an economic perspective. Thus, the principal analysis instruments in this matter are presented and discussed, as seen from S.1.1. and S.1.2 allow reaching LO1. The S1.3. aims to provide students with tools (economic and explanatory models) that assess the environmental Kuznets curve in the most diverse causal relationships. Thus, S1.3 is according to LO2. S2.1 aim to present the relevance of CSR in the contemporary world, providing an understanding of the evolution of the topic over the last few decades and the main models of CSR. Thus, S2.1 enables the achievement of LO3. S2.2 aim to equip students with tools to implement CSR in a strategic way within organisations. Special attention is given to the importance of standards and certificates. Thus, S2.2 enables the achievement of LO4. In summary: LO1 : S1.1, and S1.2. LO2 : S1.3. OA3 : S2.1 OA4 : S2.2.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Classes will be theoretical and practical, with the exposition of concepts, fundamental theories and tools on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, as well as the analysis and discussion of texts, case studies, videos and works prepared by students.
The assessment will involve two individual or group assignments, one on S1 - Sustainability and another on S2 - Corporate Social Responsibility. A1 - Individual or group work on Sustainability - 50%; A2 - Individual or group work on CSR - 50%.
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
The exposition of fundamental concepts and theories (M1) equips students with the necessary knowledge to act and critically reflect on sustainability (LO1, LO2) and corporate social responsibility (LO3, LO4). The presentation of practical examples, texts and exercise solving (M2), as well as the discussion of the exercises and the critical analysis of cases (M3), related to sustainability (LO1, LO2) and corporate social responsibility (LO3, LO4), will allow students to develop skills that will allow them to put in practice, in a business context, the acquired knowledge. The research and completion of two thematic assignments (M4) will contribute to the development of critical thinking and informed decision-making on the topics of sustainability (LO1, LO2) and CSR (LO3, LO4). LO1 and LO2 will be assessed through A1 (individual or group work on Sustainability) and LO3 and LO4 will be assessed through A2 (individual or group work on CSR). In summary: LO1: M1, M2, M3 and M4 (A1) LO2 : M1, M2, M3 and M4 (A1) LO3 : M1, M2, M3 and M4 (A2) LO4 : M1, M2, M3 and M4 (A2)
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Balsalobre-Lorente, D., Driha, O. & Shahbaz, M. (Eds.) (2021). Strategies in Sustainable Tourism, Economic Growth and Clean Energy. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59675-0 Carroll, A. & Brown (2023). Business and Society: Ethics, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Management (11th Ed.). Cengage Learning. Haski-Leventhal, D. (2022). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: A Holistic Approach to Responsible and Sustainable Business (2nd Ed.). Sage. Rego, A., Cunha, M. P., Costa, N., Gonçalves, H., & Cardoso, C. C. (2006). Gestão ética e socialmente responsável. RH Editora. Shahbaz. M., Balsalobre-Lorente, D. (Eds.) (2020). Econometrics of Green Energy Handbook: Economic and Technological Development. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46847-7 Laasch, O. (2021). Principles of Management (2nd Edition). SAGE Publications, Ltd. (UK).
