Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Strategic Sustainability Management
Course Code
SZF_326
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Information and Communication Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ieva Nora Gediņa
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Kuldigas Street 9C, Riga
About Study Course
Objective
Provide master level students with in-depth knowledge of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the current sustainability aspects – environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues – and their role in the development of enterprises/organisations. The course will promote students’ ability to analyse, compare and critically evaluate the performance demonstrated by companies and organisations in CSR implementation, sustainability management, ethical and inclusive organisation cultural development, while strengthening both academic understanding and practical analytical perspective.
Preliminary Knowledge
General knowledge of organisational theory, business fundamentals or management principles is recommended.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.• The nature of the concepts of CSR and DEI, their historical development and theoretical foundations • Integration of sustainability, ethics and social responsibility into organisations’ strategies • National and international standards (e.g. LNG, GRI, ESG approaches)
Skills
1.• Problem analysis and structuring solutions in DEI and CSR context • Critical approach to assessing corporate social responsibility • Planning and implementing effective communication in internal and external lectures theatres
Competences
1.• An integrated approach to implementing diversity and inclusion principles in the working environment • Ability to operate ethically and sustainably in the management of organisations • Intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation on sustainability
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Final Paper and presentation |
-
|
-
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Students perform during the course: • individual work - sustainability review (up to page 4) and presentation in workshop • final draft to be implemented in the team (3-4 persons): identification of corporate influence, risks and opportunities (IRO) of a selected company – up to 20 pp. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Participation and involvement in lectures and classes |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
1. Participation and involvement in lectures and classes (20%) • regular attendance at lectures and classes. • maximum assessment is received by students attending at least 80% of classes. • lower attendance reduces final assessment proportionally. |
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|
2.
Discussion |
15.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2. Active participation in discussions (15%) • active involvement in discussions, asking questions, using literary examples, reflections on lecture topics. |
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|
3.
Individual work |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
3. Sustainability/CSR review (25%) - individual work • student should choose a real example of the company sustainability/CSR report and prepare its review. The work shall be evaluated according to the quality of the review, taking into account the following aspects: - the choice and relevance of a real example - a specific company selected and an up-to-date report; - the analysis relates to the topics covered by the course (a standard report, references to international documents, topics covered, sustainability priorities set); - demonstrated ability to identify and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the report, - critical thinking and reasoning, - review structure and academic quality. |
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|
4.
Final Paper |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
4. Final Paper and presentation — Identification of sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities — Group work to identify the corporate impact, risks and opportunities of a company selected by the group by selecting as an example a company that has not so far released sustainability reports. Criteria for assessing final Paper: - understanding of the problem - ability to understand and clearly articulate the most important influences, risks and opportunities of the company in the context of sustainability. - Analytical quality - Link to theories and international frameworks acquired in the course using appropriate concepts and classifications, use of data and information, reasoned evaluation of influences and risks, structured review. - quality of presentation and cooperation - logical design of the work, visual design, involvement of team members and ability to answer questions. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to CSR and DEI. Definitions, historical development, current role in business.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Global and European sustainability standards, principles and frameworks
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Corporate Social responsibility/sustainability Management in enterprises - value chains and stakeholder mapping and engagement
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Corporate Social responsibility/sustainability Management in enterprises - value chains and stakeholder mapping and engagement
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Corporate Social responsibility/sustainability Management in enterprises - identifying impact, risks and opportunities
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Corporate Social responsibility/sustainability Management in enterprises - Communication aspects - analysis of examples
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Corporate Social responsibility/sustainability Management in enterprises - Communication aspects - analysis of examples
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Management of climate and environmental risks in enterprises — physical and transitional risks
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
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2
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Topics
|
Management of social risks in enterprises – human rights, diversity and inclusion
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Role of data in CSR/sustainability management, green deception, public perception, effective communication
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Role of data in CSR/sustainability management, green deception, public perception, effective communication
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Development and effective implementation of corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategy in organisations + student final project presentations and discussions
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-
Test
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Exam - presentation and discussion of student papers
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate Social Responsibility. Evolution of a Definitional Construct. Business and Society, 38(3). (hrestomātisks avots)Suitable for English stream
2.
Carroll, A. B. (2016). Carroll’s pyramid of CSR: taking another look. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility. 1:3.Suitable for English stream
3.
Friedman, M. (1970, 13 September). The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits. New York Times Magazine. (hrestomātisks avots)Suitable for English stream
4.
Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with Forks. Capstone Publishing Limited. (hrestomātisks avots)Suitable for English stream
5.
Visser, W. (2011). The Age of Responsibility: CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business. A John & Willey Sons Ltd. (hrestomātisks avots)Suitable for English stream
6.
Directorate-General for Environment. European Commission. (n.d.). Circular economy: Green claims. Retrieved from Green claims - European Commission.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Coombs, W.T., Holladay, S. J. (2012). Managing Corporate Social Responsibility: A Communication Approach. A John & Willey Sons Ltd.Suitable for English stream
2.
Kathayat, A. (2022) A Case against CSR Initiatives. Open Journal of Business and Management, 10, 701-714.Suitable for English stream
3.
Bais, B., Nassimbeni, G., Orzes, G. (2024). Global Reporting Initiative: Literature Review and Research Directions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 471, Article 143428Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
United Nations. (1987). Our Common Future (Brundtland Report). World Commission on Environment and Development.Suitable for English stream
2.
Eiropas Parlamenta un Padomes direktīva (ES) 2022/2464 14.12.2022., ar ko attiecībā uz korporatīvo ilgtspējas ziņu sniegšanu groza Regulu (ES) Nr. 537/2014, Direktīvu 2004/109/EK, Direktīvu 2006/43/EK un Direktīvu 2013/34/ES (Dokuments attiecas uz EEZ). 16.12.2022. Eiropas Savienības Oficiālais Vēstnesis L322/15
3.
Ilgtspējas informācijas atklāšanas likums. 03.10.2024. Latvijas Vēstnesis. 193.1.
4.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2023). AR6 Synthesis Report: Annexes & Index.Suitable for English stream
5.
Komisijas deleģētā regula (ES) 2023/2772 31.07.2023, ar ko Eiropas Parlamenta un Padomes Direktīvu 2012/34/ES papildina attiecībā uz ilgtspējas ziņu sniegšanas standartiem (Dokuments attiecas uz EEZ). 22.12.2023. Eiropas Savienības Oficiālais Vēstnesis.
6.
KPMG International. (2024). The move to mandatory reporting: Survey of sustainability reporting.Suitable for English stream
7.
KPMG Law. (2024). The Challenge of Greenwashing: An International Regulatory Overview.Suitable for English stream
8.
Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs (LVĢMC). (2024). Līdzšinējās un nākotnes klimata pārmaiņu prognozes Latvijā.
9.
Ministru kabinets. 01.03.2023. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija.
10.
United Nations. (2015). Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015: Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Suitable for English stream
11.
United Nations. (2015). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Paris Agreement.Suitable for English stream
12.
United Nations. (2025). The Sustainable Development Goals 2025: United Nations annual report.Suitable for English stream