By drawing on academic theories, research evidence and practice-based examples, discuss the implications for corporations addressing climate change. How does climate change challenge the way in which corporations have traditionally engaged with CSR?

6SSMN336-CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 2019-20

Coursework questions and brief

The coursework contributes to 85% of the mark

This is intended to be a typical essay style question, so you should write in an essay style (not a report)

using subheadings where appropriate and referencing appropriately using the Harvard style.

The main learning outcomes of the coursework are:

• To develop skills in critical analysis and evaluation of CSR theories, concepts and issues in the academic literature

• To develop research and academic writing skills

• To develop a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of key aspects of CSR.

• To develop skills in critical analysis and evaluation of contemporary social and environmental issues affecting corporations and their CSR practices.

• To develop the ability to construct an argument

It is expected that students show in their essays that they read and are engaged with the relevant literature

discussed in academic books and academic journals covered in the lectures. Additional references and

readings can be also used. In addition, students are expected to draw on practical examples to argue

their case. If your essay shows signs of plagiarism, a disciplinary procedure will be started. Please

consult the College policy on Plagiarism and citing references.

In the essay you are required to address one of the following questions:

1) By drawing on academic theories, research evidence and practice-based examples, discuss the implications for corporations addressing climate change. How does climate change challenge

the way in which corporations have traditionally engaged with CSR?

2) Select a corporation of your choice and examine how it has addressed one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs overtime.

Using frameworks and theories reviewed during the lectures, analyse and compare the

evolution and progress of the CSR activities and strategy of the chosen corporation. The SDG

agenda was set in 2015, make sure to cover at least a period of three years. The essay should

consist of a reflective critical assessment of the corporation’ CSR strategy and activities.

For this question, you are expected to collect secondary sources of data to trace the evolution

and progress of CSR strategy and activities in relation to the SDG (e.g. CSR reports will be

your core sources). No primary data needs to be collected for the coursework. Complement

these data with various sources of information (activists’ websites, NGO’s reports, newspapers,

research articles) in order to assess objectively the CSR practices and justify your arguments.

Please avoid from copy-pasting from the CSR reports or corporate websites; interpret and

summarise this material.

Submission: You need to include an interactive feedback coversheet found on KEATS. This cover sheet provides an opportunity to identify the feedback that you would like to receive on your assignment and

encourages you to reflect upon your work. If you fail to submit this coversheet you will be penalised (deduction

of 5 points from the final mark of the coursework).

Your assignment must be submitted before 10 am on Tuesday 14th April 2020 using the using the

submission function on KEATS. Any essay handed in after this deadline will be awarded a mark of

zero. However, if you feel you have legitimate reasons for submitting your coursework late, you may

make an appeal in accordance with the procedures set out in the Undergraduate Handbook. When

handing in your essay you must not include your name on the essay or cover sheet. Only include your

candidate number. Please note that you must include a word count on the coversheet of the essay and,

in accordance with Departmental policy set out in the Department of Management Undergraduate

Handbook, penalties for exceeding word limits will apply.

Presentation guidelines

The coursework should be formatted in Times New Roman, 12 point double spaced and include

references. The margin should be 2.5cm on each side. You do not need to include an abstract.

The essays should follow normal academic practice for Harvard-style referencing (in-text references

and bibliographies). Ensure that you only use one style of Harvard referencing and that your references

are complete and contain all required information (e.g. Volume, Issue and page numbers for academic

journals). Your references should consist of academic books and academic journal articles that have

been peer reviewed. If you are looking for practitioner-oriented material, it can be useful to include

information from company websites, newspaper articles and practitioner reports but you need to ensure

that you reference following the Harvard-style and provide the URL as well as an access date.

The essay can be written in 1st or 3rd person (I thought or It is argued…)

Word limit policy

The word limit of the essay is 3,500 words (including in-text references, footnotes and diagrams,

excluding bibliography and appendices).

The following policy in regards to the word limit:

• An electronic word count must be noted on the front of all pieces of assessed work.

• Word limits apply to the main body of the text (text, footnotes and diagrams) only and not to the

bibliography. In this module, we don't count appendices but keep them to a minimum.

The penalties for exceeding the stated word limit are as follows:

• There will be a 5% reduction in marks for work which is up to 10% over the word limit (e.g. a mark

of 60% will be reduced to 57%, a mark of 40% to 38%).

• There will be a 50% reduction of the mark will be deducted for work which is more than 10% over

the word limit (e.g., a mark of 60% will be reduced to 30%, a mark of 40% to 20%).

Questions about the assignment

Questions regarding the essay will only be answered in the discussion forum of KEATS and not via

email.

Marking

Essays will be evaluated according to the Specific Marking Criteria – Corporate Social Responsibility

6SSMN336 on KEATS.

If you disagree with the results of your essay, please refer to the appropriate section in the

Undergraduate Student Handbook.