SML-BBA-306- ETHICS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

IILM University- GGN campus – Semester- 6 - Academic Year 2021-22

Course description in brief:

The term "ethics" is derived from the Greek word "ethos" which refers to character or customs or accepted
behaviours. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ethics is "the moral principle that governs a
person's behaviour or how an activity is conducted". Ethics refers to a set of principles or standards of
human conduct that govern the behaviour of individuals or organizations. This course will focus on how
the firm, through the proper ethical perspective, could actually be a potent force toward attaining the
common good of society. Ethics and social responsibility are two concepts and go hand in hand for
organizations in the business environment. Business ethics represents the moral principles an organization
uses, to ensure that all employees act in an acceptable manner when completing business functions. Social
responsibility is typically an ideological theory, government and the general public hold, believing that
businesses should not conduct themselves in a manner, counter to cultural or societal norms. The blending
of business ethics and social responsibility bears when organizations implement a written code of ethics to
prove that the organization only acts in its best interest so long as it does not damage the organization’s
social responsibility.

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1. General Course Information

1.1 Course Details

Course: Ethics & Social Responsibility
Code: SML-BBA-306
Semester: 6
Level: Undergraduate
Credits : 4
Prerequisites: No specific requirement
1.2 Course Faculty
Module Leader: Prof. Rajkishan S S, Ph D
rajkishan.nair@iilm.edu
(9818090843)

Module Tutor: Prof. Rajkishan S S, Ph D

rajkishan.nair@iilm.edu
(9818090843)

1.3 Class and tutorial details:

Classes for this course shall be scheduled thrice a week.

2. Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should:
MLG 1 – Be able to understand the history and evolution of ethics as a moral approach in legitimising
business practices.
MLG 2 - Have increased your sensitivity to the imperative for and the prevalence and complexity of
ethical dimensions in everyday managerial decision-making.
MLG 3 – Be able to comprehend the concept, theories and application of CSR for the Development of
the Society, especially with reference to the Indian context.
MLG 4 – Have explored the importance of ethical managerial decision making in business with in the
specific framework of the UN SDGs.

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2.2 Course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes and assessments:
Course learning outcomes Program learning outcomes Assessments
MLG 1- Understand the history L3 - Critical thinking and Quiz
informed judgement leading to Group Presentation
and evolution of ethics as a
problem solving, decision- End Term Exam
moral approach in legitimizing making and negotiating skills.
business practices.
L4 - Cognitive flexibility which Quiz
MLG2- Increase their enables adaptability to End Term Exam
sensitivity to the uncertainty in a rapidly
imperative for and the changing business environment
prevalence and
complexity of ethical
dimensions in
everyday managerial
decision-making.

L7 - Being cognizant of the Quiz

MLG3- Comprehend impact of individual and End Term Exam
the concept, theories corporate actions on society,
and application of CSR recognizing responsible and
for the Development of inclusive business practices and
the Society, especially sensitivity to the social,
with reference to the economic and environmental
responsibilities of business.
Indian context.
Quiz
MLG4- Have explored
Group Presentation
the importance of
ethical managerial End Term Exam
decision making in
business with in the
specific framework of
the UN SDGs.

2.3 Relationship of this course with other courses conducted in the

Same term: NA
Other terms:
3. Learning Resources
3.1 Required resources (all e books)
Business Ethics, Byars & Stanberry, Open Stax, 2018.
Business Ethics, Concepts & Cases (8th edition)- Velasquez M, Pearson, 2018.
Ethics in Business & Corporate Governance (2 nd Edition)- S K Mandal, Tata Mc Graw Hill, 2012.

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 Business Ethics & Corporate Governance, B N Ghosh, Tata Mc Graw Hill, 2012.

Reference Texts (all e books)

• Business Ethics-an Indian Perspective- Francis & Mishra, Mc Graw Hill, 2009.
• Business Ethics-an Indian Perspective- A C Fernando, Pearson, 2013
• Good Corporation, Bad Corporation Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Economy-
Guillermo C. Jimenez Elizabeth Pulos, Open SUNY Textbooks 2016.

Websites
The list below is only indicative and not exhaustive.
• https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/businessfuncdn/chapter/ethics-and-social- responsibility/
• https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• https://www.ethics.org/
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/social-responsibility
• https://www.unido.org/our-focus/advancing-economic-competitiveness/competitive-trade-
capacities-and-corporate-responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility-market-integration/what-
csr
• https://www.iso.org/iso-26000-social-responsibility.html

3.3 Online resources

Following are the suggested online courses:

MOOC Course – Social Responsibility and Ethics

https://www.udemy.com/course/corporate-social-responsibility-and-ethics/
This course introduces the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as it relates to customers,
employees, the environment and society at large. It also explains the sometimes-complex relationship
between business and society by focusing on assurance of CSR disclosures, ethics, conflict of interest in
organizations, what it takes to establish a company's corporate ethical culture, and suggests ways managers
can keep their companies ethical.

Managing Responsibly: Practicing Sustainability, Responsibility and Ethics

https://www.edx.org/course/states-and-markets-in-the-global-economy

Managers are increasingly confronted with issues of sustainability, responsibility and ethics. Managing
responsibly is an integrative approach to sustainability, responsibility and ethics, which allows you as a
manager to deal competently with such challenges. This course offered by the University of Manchester
will facilitate your learning process to engage in changing practices to make them more sustainable,
responsible, and ethically informed

Video Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRYhx9jKYI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F-oQAcCvN0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f5m-jBf81Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9QF_lBOyA&t=7s

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4. Learning and Teaching Activities:
• Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course:
The basic approach to teaching and learning would be based on student-centricity, and
academic facilitation to inspire them to learn more.
• Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies:
An interactive pedagogy, based on discussions, Q & As, case discussions & student
presentations on pre-assigned topics.

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4.1 Module overview:

Session Topic Pre-Class Readings Linked Activity

No
1 Introduction to Course Outline Video watch-
the course https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=u3
99XmkjeXo&list=
RDLVu399Xmkje
Xo&start_radio=1
&rv=u399XmkjeX
o

2 Ethics and Chapter 1- Byars & Stanberry Explore the

Social following website-
Responsibility- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRYhx9jKYI
Introduction, https://www.pacha
Ethics is the set of moral principles or values that defines right and wrong for a
scope & person or group. Workplace deviance is unethical behavior that violates mama.org/
organizational norms about right and wrong. Ethical behavior follows accepted
relevance principles of right and wrong.

3-4 Ethics- from Chapter 2- Byars & Stanberry

antiquity to the
present

5-6 Ethics- the Handout on Kautilya’s contribution to Ethics- as derived

Indian from Chapters 7-9, pp113-160, Balbir Singh Sihag.
approach-
Kautilya

7 Defining & Chapter 3- Byars & Stanberry

Prioritizing https://study.com/academy/lesson/a-stakeholder-based-
Stakeholders approach-to-ethical-decision-making.html
Stakeholder-based approaches to ethical decisions keep the interest of
the investors at the center of all decisions made in the business. Learn
the considerations of stakeholders, and how this approach proves a
framework for decision-making.
8 Tutorial

9-10 Three special Chapter 4- Byars & Stanberry

stakeholders:
Society, The Case discussion: The Global Coffee Trade- Stanford
Environment Graduate School of Business
& Government
11 The Impact of Chapter 5- Byars & Stanberry
Culture & Time
on Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F-oQAcCvN0

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 Business Volkswagen’s ethical lapse is largely attributed to a deeply flawed
organizational culture
Ethics https://slideplayer.com/slide/5718333/

12 Tutorial Tutorial -2 / Activity

13 Ethical Case 1- Slavery in the Chocolate Industry, pp 46-49,

Decision Chapter 1, Velasquez.
making in the
Organisation –
case discussion

Ethical Case 2 – Testing Drugs in the Developing World, pp 118-

Decision 120, Chapter 2, Velasquez
14 making in the
Organisation –
case discussion

Ethical Case 3- The GM Bailout, pp156-159, Chapter 3,

Decision Velasquez.
15 making in the
Organisation –
case discussion

16-17 Law, Ethics and Chapter 3, Mandal S K

Business

18 Tutorial -3.

19-20 Ethics, Social 1. https://www.fmlink.com/articles/ethics-and-the- Video: Triple

Responsibility triple-bottom-line/ bottom line (3
and Triple 2. Triple Bottom Line- the pillars of CSR- Księżaka pillars):
Bottom Line & Fischbachb. sustainability in
3. https://philosophia.uncg.edu/phi361- busine
matteson/module-3-social-responsibility- https://www.youtub
professionalism-and-loyalty/corporate-social- e.com/watch?v=2f5
responsibility-and-the-triple-bottom-line/ m-jBf81Q

21-22 Emergence of Chapter 17, pp 352-362, B N Ghosh.

CSR, & various
Models https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9QF_lBOyA&t=7s

At his carpet company, Ray Anderson has increased sales and doubled
profits while turning the traditional "take / make / waste" industrial
system on its head. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful
vision for sustainable commerce.

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 23 Tutorial-4

24-26 History, 1. https://csr.gov.in/index16.php

Evolution and 2. https://csr.gov.in/page-history.php
Progress of 3. https://csrcfe.org/
CSR legislation
and its
implementation
in India.

27-28 Drivers of CSR 1. Drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Discuss top Indian
in India Competitive Era (pdf) companies for CSR
2. https://thecsrjournal.in/top-indian-companies-for- in India
csr-in-2020/
29 Tutorial-5

30-31 Review of 1. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/011215/w

current trends hat-are-top-trends-corporate-social-responsibility.asp
and 2. https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/8-csr-trends-to-
opportunities in dominate-in-2021
CSR 3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timothyjmcclimon/2021
/01/05/10-csr-trends-to-watch-in-
2021/?sh=5eed61535904
4. https://www.ioscm.com/blog/exploring-the-corporate-
social-responsibility-trends-of-2021/

32-33 Discussion 1. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/is-the-

/Debate on economy-serving-us-or-are-we-serving-the-economy/
CSR- Pros & 2. http://www.unece.lsu.edu/social_responsibility/docum
Cons! ents/2013Mar/csr13_14.pdf
3. https://www2.deloitte.com/ru/en/pages/risk/solutions/s
ustainability-and-csr.html
34 Tutorial-6

35-36 Whistle Blower 1. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/kn Explore the same

Policy owledge/other/whistleblower-policy/ for different
2. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/12/how- companies!!
to-protect-whistleblowers/
3. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/comp https://www.coalin
any/corporate-trends/where-the-law-stands-on- dia.in/media/docum
whistleblowers-in-india ents/whistle-
4. https://www.mid- blower-
day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/six-times-indian- policy_TYEsLJw.p
whistleblowers-uncovered-scams-and-made- df
headlines-23197139

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 https://www.cdslin
dia.com/downloads
/Publications/Legal
/Compliances%20
Under%20Compani
es%20Act/Whistle
%20Blower%20Pol
icy.pdf

37-40 UN SDGs, 1. https://sdgs.un.org/

Climate Change 2. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/scc.2020.007
and the debate 3#
on Ethical 3. Sustainable Development Goals: A Powerful
dimensions on Framework for Embedding Ethics, CSR, and
the Social Sustainability in Management Education-pdf
Responsibility 4. Ethics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
of Business The Case for Comprehensive Engineering -pdf

41-44 Project
Presentations
and discussions

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4.2 Session Plan:

Session 1: Introduction to the course

Description of the session:

The introductory session would give you a ride through the course. It will brief you on the broad course
coverage, the pedagogy to be followed, and assessment components. It will also try to set and clarify
expectations from your side and the course tutor’s side.

Learning outcome: By the end of this sessions, you would have clarity on what to expect from this course
and what is expected form you throughout the course!

Essential readings:

Course Module Plan

Desired readings:

Activity:

Video watch-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u399XmkjeXo&list=RDLVu399XmkjeXo&start_radio=1&rv=u399
XmkjeXo

Session 2: Ethics and Social Responsibility- Introduction, scope & relevance

Description of the session:

Ethics consists of the standards of behavior to which we hold ourselves in our personal and professional
lives. It establishes the levels of honesty, empathy, and trustworthiness and other virtues by which we hope
to identify our personal behavior and our public reputation. In our personal lives, our ethics sets norms for
the ways in which we interact with family and friends. In our professional lives, ethics guides our
interactions with customers, clients, colleagues, employees, and shareholders affected by our business
practices. This session intends to explore the question, whether we should care about ethics in our lives and
in our practices in business and the professions?

Learning Outcome: By the end of this session, you would have understood the relevance of ethics and
social responsibility in our personal and professional lives.

Essential readings:

Byars & Stanberry – Business Ethics- Chapter II

Desired Readings:

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 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRYhx9jKYI
Ethics is the set of moral principles or values that defines right and wrong for a person or group. Workplace
deviance is unethical behavior that violates organizational norms about right and wrong. Ethical behavior
follows accepted principles of right and wrong.

https://www.iso.org/iso-26000-social-responsibility.html

Activity:
Explore the following website-
https://www.pachamama.org/

Sessions 3-4 : Ethics from Aniquity to the Present

Description of the session:

From the time of barter to the age of bitcoin, most people engaged in business transactions have sought
trust. Without trust, which is a fundamental outcome of ethical behavior, not just business relationships but
all relationships would collapse. To develop insight into our own concepts of ethics, this chapter looks at
how ethical systems have developed over time, beginning with the distinction between ethics and the law.

Learning Outcome: By the end of these sessions, you would have explored the historical evolution of the
concept of ethics and how and whether ethical considerations were integral to legal systems from ancient
times to the present.

Essential readings:
Byars & Stanberry – Business Ethics- Chapter II
Desired Readings:

Sessions 5-6: Ethics- the Indian approach- Kautilya

Description of the session:

Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta Chanakya wrote the Arthashastra –the science of wealth & welfare during the
second half of the 4th century BC. A contemporary of Aristotle, his contributions to the role of ethics in
society and business are very comprehensive, internally consistent, original & wide in scope. We take a
brief survey of Chanakya’s contribution to ethics, especially its role and relevance in the economic sphere.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the session, you would have understood the Indian approach to ethics, as put forward by
Chanakya.

Essential readings:

Balbir Singh Sihag – Kautilya the True Founder of Economics - Chapters 7-9, pp113-160.

Desired readings:

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Activity:

Session 7: Defining & Prioritizing Stakeholders

Description of the session:

Stakeholder-based approaches to ethical decisions keep the interest of the investors at the center of all
decisions made in the business. In this session, we learn the considerations of stakeholders, and how this
approach proves a framework for decision-making

Learning Outcome:

After completing the session, you have understood the need and method of prioritizing the various
stakeholders in daily life, especially the business sphere.

Essential readings:

Byars & Stanberry, Chapter 3

Desired readings:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/a-stakeholder-based-approach-to-ethical-decision-making.html

Session 8: Tutorial

Sessions 9-10: Three special stakeholders: Society, The Environment & Government

Description of the session:

Many individuals and groups inside and outside a business have an interest in the way it brings products
or services to market to turn a profit. These stakeholders include customers, clients, employees,
shareholders, communities, the environment, the government, and the media (traditional and social),
among others. All stakeholders should be considered essential to a business, but not all have equal
priority. Different groups of stakeholders carry different weights with decision makers in companies and
assert varying levels of interest and influence. In this session, we consider how an organization benefits
by working with its stakeholders and how it may benefit from encouraging stakeholders to work together
to promote their mutual interests. We will also discuss a case on Global Coffee Trade, where we would
encounter all these issues in a real-life context!

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
• Identify key types of business-stakeholder relationships
• Explain why laws do not dictate every ethical responsibility a company may owe key stakeholders
• Discuss why stakeholders’ welfare must be at the heart of ethical business decisions

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Essential readings:

1. Byars & Stanberry, Chapter 4-

2. The Global Coffee Trade- Stanford Graduate School of Business Case

Desired readings:

Session 11: The Impact of Culture & Time on Business Ethics

Description of the session:

Business ethics do not exist in a vacuum. They are a reflection of the underlying values of a society and the
way society lives out those values over time. This experience is captured in language, culture, religious
traditions, and modes of thinking, all of which have varied throughout history and influence the conduct of
business in a range of ways. Whatever its origin, ethics has almost certainly existed throughout human time
and varied with language, culture, history, and geography. Are there underlying values that transcend time
and place, however? If so, do the protocols of business ethics embody these values? In these two sessions,
we discuss to what degree is any code of business ethics conditioned by culture, time, and geography? We
would also explore, given that individuals are responsible only for their own behavior, is it possible for
business ethics to be universal?

Learning Outcome:

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the processes of acculturation and enculturation
• Explain the interaction of business and culture from an ethical perspective
• Analyze how consumerism and the global marketplace might challenge the belief system of an
organization
Essential readings:
1. Byars & Stanberry, Chapter 5
2. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F-oQAcCvN0

Desired readings:

https://slideplayer.com/slide/5718333/

Session 12: Tutorial

Session 13: Ethical Decision making in the Organisation – case discussion-1

Description of the session:

This is the first in a series of 3 case discussions on different industries across the globe, where ethical
considerations are nearly absent or have taken a back seat.

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In 2012, CNN published a series of investigations as part of its “Freedom Project,” which found that “child
labor, trafficking and slavery are rife” in the chocolate industry. The CNN investigations revealed that large
numbers of children were being held as slaves on cocoa farms in Ivory Coast, a small nation on the western
coast of Africa. As of 2018, chocolate was a $13 billion industry in the United States, where Americans
consumed over 3 billion pounds each year. The four largest U.S. chocolate manufacturers used morally
“tainted” cocoa beans from Ivory Coast in their products. Forty-five percent of the chocolate on the world
market today is made from cocoa beans grown in Ivory Coast. A portion of those cocoa beans was grown
and harvested by children who work as slaves.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of this case discussion, you would have comprehended how business decisions devoid of ethical
considerations rule the roost in the global chocolate industry, harming the interests of the lesser privileged
(producers) countries in the lower rungs of the supply chain.

Essential readings:

Case 1- Velasquez, Chapter 1, Slavery in the Chocolate Industry, pp 46-49.

Desired readings:

Session 14: Ethical Decision making in the Organisation – case discussion-2

Description of the session:

This is the second in a series of 3 case discussions on different industries across the globe, where ethical
considerations are nearly absent or have taken a back seat.

Any drug marketed within the United States has to be approved by the FDA, a government agency charged
with ensuring the safety of the food supply and medicines. Before the FDA will allow a drug company to
market a newly discovered drug within the United States, however, it requires the company to test the drug
on animals and then on humans. Until 1980 all clinical trials had to be conducted within the United States
on people living in the country, and were usually conducted in medical schools and hospitals. That year,
however, the FDA began to allow drug companies to test their new drugs on people in other countries. A
key reason for this change in FDA policy was the fact that average Americans are reluctant to enter clinical
trials, knowing that they often carry high risks. By 2015, American drug companies were testing a large
proportion of their new drugs on the citizens of foreign countries, particularly those living in poorer parts
of the world, such as India, Africa, the Middle East, eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, you would have understood the blatant violation of ethical considerations and
human rights in the drug industry!

Essential Readings:

Case 2 – Velasquez, Chapter 2, Testing Drugs in the Developing World, pp 118-120,

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Desired readings:

Session 15: Ethical Decision making in the Organisation – case discussion-3

Description of the session:

This is the last in a series of 3 case discussions on different industries across the globe, where ethical
considerations are nearly absent or have taken a back seat.

By mid-December 2008, General Motors (GM), the world’s second largest auto manufacturer, was losing
$2 billion a month. Rick Wagoner, CEO since 2000, knew that GM did not have enough money to survive
much longer. Wagoner already knew GM would end the year with losses of about $31 billion. But that was
an improvement from 2007 when the company lost $38.7 billion, the fourth-biggest corporate loss in history.
Those losses, and losses of $1 billion in 2006 and $10 billion in 2005, meant that the company Wagoner
led lost an astonishing $80 billion in four years. CEO Wagoner blamed GM’s misfortune on a number of
factors. One of the most significant factors, he felt, was the “Great Recession” of 2008 that had hurt the
sales of all the auto companies, particularly when the troubled banks stopped lending money, so customers
could no longer get car loans. On June 1, 2009, GM entered bankruptcy. The U.S. Treasury created a new
company named General Motors Company. 61 percent share of the company became the property of the
U.S. government in return for a total of $50 billion it pumped into the enterprise. The government was now
the major owner of a car company. In this session we discuss the rights and wrongs of the GM bailout and
how it created a moral hazard across the world leading to many such bail outs in US & across the world!!

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the discussion, you would have comprehended whether the GM bailout was ethical in terms
of utilitarianism, justice, rights, and caring.

Essential Readings:

Case3 – Velasquez, Chapter 3, The GM Bailout, pp156-159.

Desired Readings:

Session 16-17: Law, Ethics and Business

Description of the session:

The Satyam Scandal took place in India in 2008, in spite of laws, regulatory bodies, strict audit compliances,
and the watchful eyes of company law administrators. This scandal was very similar to the Enron scandal
in US in 2001. It proved that we had not learned the lesson from Enron. Interestingly, the same year Satyam
scandal was unearthed, Satyam received ‘The Golden Peacock Award’ from the Institute of Directors for
excellence in Governance. In these two sessions we discuss the distinction between law and ethics in
business. We would also highlight and illustrate different ethical and legal issues in business with regard to
their internal and external environments.

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Learning Outcome:

By the end of this discussion, you would have comprehended:

• The compatibility of ethics with the purposes of business

• The role and scope of business ethics vis-à-vis business operations
• The critical aspects of ethical decision-making in business.

Essential Readings:
Mandal S K, Chapter 3, Law, Ethics and Business.

Desired Readings:

Session 18 : Tutorial

Session 19-20: Ethics, Social Responsibility and Triple Bottom Line

Description of the session:

Boardrooms are increasingly addressing ethical behavior based on the concept of the triple bottom line. The
triple bottom line refers to the triad of profit, social responsibility, and stewardship of the environment,
which are now part of the expanded scope of corporate concerns. Sustainability is the core philosophy from
which the triple bottom line is derived. ‘Our Common Future’, commonly referred to as the Brundtland
Report, d4fines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable practices are those that seek to minimize
environmental impact. Corporate social responsibility is a way for a corporation to acknowledge and take
responsibility for its actions that affect the market, its employees (workplace), the society and the natural
environment. These sessions examine the areas of CSR according to the Triple Bottom Line, which focuses
on 3Ps i.e., Profit, People and Planet.
Learning Outcome:

By the end of the discussion, you would be exposed to the various constituents of CSR, especially with
reference to the dealing of the Triple Bottom Line.
Essential Reading:

1. https://www.fmlink.com/articles/ethics-and-the-triple-bottom-line/
2. Triple Bottom Line- the pillars of CSR- Księżaka & Fischbachb.
Desired Readings:

https://philosophia.uncg.edu/phi361-matteson/module-3-social-responsibility-professionalism-and-
loyalty/corporate-social-responsibility-and-the-triple-bottom-line/

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Activity:

Watch Video: Triple bottom line (3 pillars): sustainability in business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f5m-jBf81Q

Sessions 21-22: Emergence of CSR, & various Models

Description of the session:

The idea of CSR is not very old. It started as an organized movement and a code of business conduct in the
1960s. In the 1970s, the code was formally approved and accepted. It was an overall reaction against
corporate dishonesty and scandals in many countries including both developing and the developed ones.
Corporate social responsibility is a gesture of showing the company’s concern and commitment towards
society’s sustainability and development.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of these two sessions, you would have understood the constituents of CSR, types of CSR
Corporate Social Reporting, models of CSR, & best practices of CSR.
Essential Reading:
1. B N Ghosh, Chapter 17, pp 352-362.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9QF_lBOyA&t=7s
At his carpet company, Ray Anderson has increased sales and doubled profits while turning the traditional "take / make /
waste" industrial system on its head. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful vision for sustainable commerce.

Desired Readings:

Session 23: Tutorial

Session 24-26: History, Evolution and Progress of CSR legislation and its implementation in India.

Description of the session:

The importance of inclusive growth is widely recognized as an essential part of India's quest for
development. It reiterates our firm commitment to include those sections of the society in the growth
process, which had hitherto remained excluded from the mainstream of development. In line with this
national endeavor, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was conceived as an instrument for integrating
social, environmental and human development concerns in the entire value chain of corporate business.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs had issued 'Voluntary Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility, 2009'
as a first step towards mainstreaming the concept of Business Responsibilities. This was further refined
subsequently, as 'National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities
of Business, 2011'. The Corporate Social Responsibility concept in India is governed by Section 135 of the
Companies Act, 2013 and Rules made thereunder wherein the criteria has been provided for assessing the
CSR eligibility of a company, Implementation and Reporting of their CSR Policies.

17
Learning Outcome:

By the end of the discussion, you would have been exposed to the history, evolution and progress of CSR
legislation and its implementation in India.

Essential Readings:

1. https://csr.gov.in/index16.php
2. https://csr.gov.in/page-history.php
3. https://csrcfe.org/

Activity:

Desired Readings:

Session 27-28: Drivers of CSR in India

Description of the session:

In these two sessions we aim to evaluate the different dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility in
India and explore the possible drivers of CSR in India.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of the discussion, you would have looked at the various drivers of CSR in India from a multi-
dimensional perspective.

Essential Readings:

Drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Competitive Era (pdf)

Desired Readings:
https://thecsrjournal.in/top-indian-companies-for-csr-in-2020/

Activity:

Discuss top Indian companies for CSR in India

Session 29: Tutorial

Session 30-31: Review of current trends and opportunities in CSR

Description of the session:

CSR, is the business practice of pursuing social and environmental gains, alongside financial gains. As the

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push for companies that do-good increases, corporations of all sizes are looking for ways to incorporate
sustainable business practices into their everyday. Some of the most popular CSR trends include increased
transparency, investment in green technologies, local community and employee engagement, and diversity
and inclusion initiatives. We discuss the latest trends in CSR especially in the post-Covid scenario.

Learning Outcome:
You would examine the latest trends in CSR as companies are trying to explore newer vistas to be
socially relevant in a more meaningful way.

Essential Readings:

1. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/011215/what-are-top-trends-corporate-social-
responsibility.asp
2. https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/8-csr-trends-to-dominate-in-2021
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timothyjmcclimon/2021/01/05/10-csr-trends-to-watch-in-
2021/?sh=5eed61535904

Desired Readings:
https://www.ioscm.com/blog/exploring-the-corporate-social-responsibility-trends-of-2021/

Session 32-33: Discussion /Debate on CSR- Pros & Cons!

Description of the session:

In the past 50-100 years, we have created immense prosperity. In 2019, global GDP is expected to reach
almost US$ 90,000 billion, compared to just over US$ 1,000 billion at the start of the previous century.
Economic growth and globalization have brought enormous prosperity for many: global life expectancy,
for instance, has doubled since then. However, today the wealthiest 1 billion people use nearly half of global
resources and produce the same percentage of global waste. However, we don’t live on this planet with 2
billion people, but with more than 7 billion. This inequality isn’t sustainable. The world has got richer, but
one billion people still go to bed hungry. Helping society should be a core part of business, not an add-on.
A multistakeholder approach ensures long-term success.

Learning Outcome:

This discussion would sensitize you the role of business in solving these core issues facing mankind.

Essential Readings:

1. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/is-the-economy-serving-us-or-are-we-serving-the-
economy/
2. http://www.unece.lsu.edu/social_responsibility/documents/2013Mar/csr13_14.pdf
Activity:

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Desired Readings:
https://www2.deloitte.com/ru/en/pages/risk/solutions/sustainability-and-csr.html

Session 34: Tutorial

Session 35-36: Whistle Blower Policy

Description of the session:

A whistleblower is a person who exposes wrongdoings in an organization relating to illegal, dishonest,

dangerous, or fraudulent practices. Sometimes, whistleblowing is internal to an organization and is meant
to expose the practices of an organization to CEOs and managers. It could also be external, where a
whistleblower exposes an entity’s illegal practices to the media, the police, or the government. The
complications that come with whistleblowing, together with the underlying legal imperatives, encourage
organizations to come up with a whistleblower policy to manage the act.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of the discussion, you would be familiar with the intricacies and nuances of Whistle blowing
and its implications for ethical business behavior.
Essential Readings:

1. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/whistleblower-policy/
2. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/12/how-to-protect-whistleblowers/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/where-the-law-stands-on-
whistleblowers-in-india

Desired Readings:

https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/six-times-indian-whistleblowers-uncovered-scams-and-
made-headlines-23197139

Activity:
Explore the same for different companies!!
https://www.coalindia.in/media/documents/whistle-blower-policy_TYEsLJw.pdf
https://www.cdslindia.com/downloads/Publications/Legal/Compliances%20Under%20Companies%20Ac
t/Whistle%20Blower%20Policy.pdf

Session 37-40: UN SDGs, Climate Change and the debate on Ethical dimensions on the Social
Responsibility of Business.

Description of the session:

In September 2015, world leaders at the United Nations unanimously adopted a new global development
agenda, Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, one of the most

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ambitious and important global agreements in recent history. The agenda, which came into effect on 1
January 2016 with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core, is a guide to tackle the world’s
most pressing challenges including ending poverty and bringing economic prosperity, social inclusion,
environmental sustainability, and peace to all countries and all people by 2030. There is already a strong
interest in, and response to, the SDGs by governments, businesses, and organizations in most countries.
The SDGs set out a vision for a better world that relies on cooperation and interdependence. The 17 SDGs,
formally adopted by all 193 member states of the UN in 2015 aim to end extreme poverty, protect the
planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

A criticism leveled against the SDGs is that they do not include an explicit ethical dimension. The absence
of a stand-alone ethical dimension leaves the matter of ethics an implicit rather than explicit concern. As
such, it remains necessary to interrogate the SDG discourse to identify and define the nature of an ethical
reflection to guide the implementation of these goals. In this context, we examine the ethical dimension of
the SDGs, specifically in the context of climate change, & sustainability.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, you would have discussed and obtained possible answers to the following
questions:
• What ethical issues are raised by the SDGs?
• What principles and values can guide an ethical implementation of the SDGs?

Essential Readings:

1. https://sdgs.un.org/
2. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/scc.2020.0073#
3. Sustainable Development Goals: A Powerful Framework for Embedding Ethics, CSR, and
Sustainability in Management Education-pdf
4. Ethics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: The Case for Comprehensive Engineering -pdf

Desired Readings:

Session 41-44: Project Presentations and discussions

5. Assessments:
Assessments for Courses are based on the following four principles:
• Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
• Assessment must enable robust and fair judgments about student performance.
• Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the
opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
• Assessment must maintain academic standards.

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5.1 Assessment summary

Assessment Due date Weightage Related learning outcome

(marks/Percentage)

MLG PLG Mapped

Mapped
Quizzes (5) & Class 25 1,2, 3,4 L3
Participation
Group presentation 15 1,4 L3, L4, L7
End Term 60 1,2,3,4. L3, L7

5.2 Assessment related details

• If a student is absent on the scheduled date of (internal) assessments, she/he shall be given
one more option to reappear in the same, provided the faculty is convinced that the reason
for absence is genuine. Inability to attend the reappear assessment will result in the student
being awarded zero.
• Group assessments shall not be repeated. In case a student is absent on the day of
presentation of the same, the student will be awarded zero for this component of
assessment. The faculty in such cases shall conduct a separate viva for the concerned
student and grade her/him accordingly.
• End term assessments are compulsory. Absence in end term assessments will be marked
as ‘absent’ and the result will be marked as ‘incomplete’. This is irrespective of the
student’s score in internal assessments.
5.3 Assessment details
Component 1:
Continuous Assessment - Class Participation & Quizzes (25%)

There will be five quizzes, spread through the entire course. Quizzes would be held in session no. 12, 18,
23,29, & 24

Component 2:
Group Presentation (15%)

Students would prepare group projects on recent (ideally not later than the last decade) issues/cases/scandals
involving ethical misconduct/challenges. There would be an end-of the course presentation by all the
groups. Students would be assessed on the written project (50%) and the presentation (50%). The

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 performance of each student in the group would be assessed on the basis of their contribution to the group
project, as evidenced by their responses during their presentation.

Component 3:
End Term (60%) Closed Book Written Exam
End-Term exam would be conducted to test the ability of students towards application of the concepts and
theories in the day-to-day problems faced in decision making at all levels.

The rubric for assessments for the end term examination is as given below:

Marks Below 40% 40%-49% 50%-59% 60-69% Above 70%

Assessments: Fails to Shows a bare Shows grasp of Well informed. Demonstrates well-
Mid Term demonstrate understanding of basic Demonstrates coordinated and
Exam, Class understanding of basic issues/theory. sound reasoned
Quiz, End topic/area. issues/theory Some evidence of understanding Understanding.
Term Exam understanding Provides concise
analysis of all relevant
issues/theory.

5.5 Assessment Feedback

Feedback on student performance from formative and summative assessment tasks will be
provided to students in a timely manner. Assessment tasks completed within the teaching period
of a course, other than a final assessment, will be assessed and students provided with feedback,
with or without a provisional result, within 10 working days of submission, under normal
circumstances. Feedback on continuous assessment tasks, if any, will be provided prior to the
midpoint of the course.

Note: Appeal of grade – students who wish to appeal their end term marks should initially discuss
their concerns with their tutor. If they are still dissatisfied, they should then make contact with the
Controller of Examination within 10 business days from the date of notification of the result. Such
a written request must contain details of the grounds on which the objection is based. Requests
must include a summary of the reasons the student believes his or her assessment work deserves a
higher mark. These reasons must be directly related to the academic quality of the work.

5.6 Quality Assurance

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IILM is actively monitoring student learning and quality of the student experience in all its
programs. A random selection of completed assessment tasks may be used for quality assurance,
such as to determine the extent to which program learning goals are being achieved. The
information is required for accreditation purposes, and aggregated findings will be used to inform
changes aimed at improving the quality of Business School programs.
6. Maps:
6.1 Assessment Map

Module Name: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

Ethics & Social Responsibility * * *

A1- Individual assignment/quiz A2- Group assignment

A3- Open book examinations A4- Closed book examinations A5- Presentations

6.2 Teaching Map

Module Name: T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Ethics & Social Responsibility * * * *

T1: Lectures T2: Seminars/Tutorials T3: Projects

T4: Case Discussion T5: Guest Lectures/Industrial Visit T6: Workshop Sessions

6.3 Curriculum Map

Module Name: Program learning outcomes

International Economics and L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7

Global Economy

Taught * * *

Assessed * * *

Covered * * *

Program Learning Outcomes:

L1 – An understanding of organizations and management techniques to allow investigation into business

and management issues.
L2 - An ability to acquire, analyze and understand data and information for managerial decisions.
L3 - Critical thinking and informed judgement leading to problem solving, decision-making and
negotiating skills.

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L4 - Cognitive flexibility which enables adaptability to uncertainty in a rapidly changing business
environment.
L5 - An understanding of disruptive and technological change and the ability to seek innovative and
entrepreneurial solutions.
L6 - Emotional intelligence and people’s skills in communicating, working in teams and with people.
L7 - Being cognizant of the impact of individual and corporate actions on society, recognizing responsible
and inclusive business practices and sensitivity to the social, economic and environmental responsibilities
of business.

7. Student feedback
The Institute places high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhances the
students’ experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going
engagement with faculty, the use of online questionnaires and interaction with the
Dean/appropriate authority. This course is regularly revised and updated to reflect student
feedback.

8. Plagiarism
Please refer to the student handbook, page 30, for details.

9. Module Readings Grid

S. No. Title Shared/ isolated

1. Essential Readings
1. Main Text (s): (all available in e-book-pdf -format)
a. Business Ethics, Byars & Stanberry, Open Stax, Isolated
2018.
b. Business Ethics, Concepts & Cases (8th edition)-
Velasquez M, Pearson, 2018.
c. Ethics in Business & Corporate Governance (2nd
Edition)- S K Mandal, Tata Mc Graw Hill, 2012.
d. Business Ethics & Corporate Governance, B N
Ghosh, Tata Mc Graw Hill, 2012.
Articles:
2. Triple Bottom Line- the pillars of CSR- Księżaka &
Fischbach.
3. Drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility in the
Competitive Era (pdf)

25
 4. Sustainable Development Goals: A Powerful Framework
for Embedding Ethics, CSR, and Sustainability in
Management Education-pdf
5. Ethics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
The Case for Comprehensive Engineering -pdf
Weblinks:
6. https://www.fmlink.com/articles/ethics-and-the-triple-
bottom-line/
7. https://philosophia.uncg.edu/phi361-matteson/module-3-
social-responsibility-professionalism-and-loyalty/corporate-
social-responsibility-and-the-triple-bottom-line/
8. https://csr.gov.in/index16.php
9. https://csr.gov.in/page-history.php
10. https://csrcfe.org/
11. https://thecsrjournal.in/top-indian-companies-for-csr-in-
2020/
12. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/011215/what-
are-top-trends-corporate-social-responsibility.asp
13. https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/8-csr-trends-to-
dominate-in-2021
14. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timothyjmcclimon/2021/01/0
5/10-csr-trends-to-watch-in-2021/?sh=5eed61535904
15. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/is-the-economy-
serving-us-or-are-we-serving-the-economy/
16. http://www.unece.lsu.edu/social_responsibility/documents/
2013Mar/csr13_14.pdf
17. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/
other/whistleblower-policy/
18. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/12/how-to-protect-
whistleblowers/
19. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corpo
rate-trends/where-the-law-stands-on-whistleblowers-in-
india
20. https://sdgs.un.org/
21. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/scc.2020.0073#

2. Cases: Isolated
1. The Global Coffee Trade- Free case from Stanford
Graduate School of Business
2. Desired Readings: Isolated
1. Chanakya- The Founder of Economics- Balbir Singh Sihag

2. Business Ethics-an Indian Perspective- Francis & Mishra,

Mc Graw Hill, 2009.
3. Business Ethics-an Indian Perspective- A C Fernando,

26
 Pearson, 2013
4. Good Corporation, Bad Corporation Corporate Social
Responsibility in the Global Economy- Guillermo C.
Jimenez Elizabeth Pulos, Open SUNY Textbooks 2016.
3. • MOOC Isolated
1. Social Responsibility and Ethics
https://www.udemy.com/course/corporate-social-
responsibility-and-ethics/
2. Managing Responsibly: Practicing Sustainability,
Responsibility and Ethics
https://www.edx.org/course/states-and-markets-in-the-
global-economy
4. Video Links: Isolated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u399XmkjeXo&list=RDLVu39
9XmkjeXo&start_radio=1&rv=u399XmkjeXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRYhx9jKYI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F-oQAcCvN0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f5m-jBf81Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9QF_lBOyA&t=7s
5. Websites Isolated

• https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/businessfuncdn/chap
ter/ethics-and-social- responsibility/
• https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• https://www.ethics.org/
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/social-responsibility
• https://www.unido.org/our-focus/advancing-economic-
competitiveness/competitive-trade-capacities-and-
corporate-responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility-
market-integration/what-csr
• https://www.iso.org/iso-26000-social-responsibility.html

10. Student Responsibilities and Conduct

Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to Institute's policies in relation to class
attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful
environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping
informed.
Workload: It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying for a
course. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems,
online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or

27
prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. We strongly encourage you to connect
with your MS Teams Portal in the first week of semester.
Attendance: Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars or in online learning
activities is expected in this course. The Institute reserves the right to refuse final assessment to
those students who fails to attend the required minimum number of classes where attendance and
participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g., tutorials, flipped classroom sessions,
seminars, labs, etc.).
General Conduct and Behavior: You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and
respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or
interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students
may be asked to leave the class.
Health and Safety: IILM requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid
personal injury and to protect the safety of others.
Keeping Informed: You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on
the course web site. From time to time, the Institute will send important announcements to your
university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have
received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the Institute informed of all changes
to your contact details.

…………………End of Document…………….

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