This course introduces students to the roles of corporations in society and their accountability, accounting and reporting issues in the context of sustainability and social justice. It examines issues in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), emphasising accountability for, and reporting of, the social and environmental effects of a corporation’s economic actions to stakeholders. This extends the corporation’s accountability beyond financial disclosures to shareholders and is predicated on the assumption that corporations have social responsibilities that are much broader than generating shareholder wealth.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

This course provides students with an appreciation of the broader issues of corporate performance and disclosure in the context of sustainability and social justice, and the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of:

1. the socio-economic context and roles of corporations;
2. the relevance of stakeholders in corporations and concepts of corporate responsibility, accountability and reporting;
3. developments and practices in corporate social responsibility, accountability and reporting;
4. regulatory and voluntary action in corporate social responsibility, accountability and reporting.

The specific learning outcomes identified at the commencement of the lecture material for each of the topics are an integral part of the course/above broad learning outcomes.

Research-Led Teaching

The topics for this course are founded on research-based academic publications, including empirical, theoretical and review articles; newspaper articles; audio-visual materials; and regulatory and best-practice publications.

Examination Material or equipment

Details regarding materials and equipment that is permitted in an examination can be found on the ANU website:

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Information regarding permitted examination materials for the course will be available on the examination timetable website when the examination timetable is released:

http://timetable.anu.edu.au/

Recommended Resources

Recommended resources/readings - Available via the library, online or will be provided.

Aerts, W., Cormier, D. & Magnan, M. 2006. Intra-industry imitation in corporate environmental reporting: An international perspective. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 25, 299-331.

Banerjee, S. B. 2007. Corporate social responsibility: The good, the bad and the ugly. Critical Sociology, 34 (1), 51-79.

Carroll, A. B. 1991. The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: Toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Business Horizons, July-August, 39-48.

Carroll, A. B. 1999. Corporate social responsibility, evolution of a definitional construct. Business and Society, September, 38 (3), 268-295.

Cherry, M. A. & Sneirson, J. F. 2011. Beyond profit: Rethinking corporate social responsibility and greenwashing after the BP oil disaster. Tulane Law Review, 85, 983-1038.

Clarkson, M. B. E. 1995. A stakeholder framework for analysing and evaluating corporate social performance. The Academy of Management Review, January, 20 (1), 92-117.

Clarkson, P. M., Li, Y., Richardson, G. D. & Vasvari, F. P. 2008. Revisiting the relation between environmental performance and environmental disclosure: An empirical analysis. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 33, 303-327.

Crawley, A. & Sinclair, A. 2003. Indigenous human resource practices in Australian mining companies: Towards an ethical model. Journal of Business Ethics, 45, 361-373.

Deegan, C. 2008. Environmental costing in capital investment decisions: Electricity distributors and the choice of power poles. Australian Accounting Review, 18 (44), 2-15.

Delfgaauw, T. 2000. Reporting on sustainable development: A preparer’s view. Auditing, 19, 67-74.

DesJardins, J. 1998. Corporate environmental responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 17, 825-838.

Dhaliwal, D. S., Li, O. Z. & Tsang, A. 2011. Voluntary nonfinancial disclosure and the cost of equity capital: The initiation of corporate social responsibility reporting. The Accounting Review, 86 (1), 59-100.

DiMaggio. P. J. & Powell, W. W. 1983. The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociological Review, 48 (2), 147-160.

Doane, D. 2002. Market failure: The case for mandatory and environmental reporting. New Economics Foundation. Available online

Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. 2014. The Impact of Corporate Sustainability on Organizational Processes and Performance. Management Science 60 (11), 2835–2857.

Ewing, J. 2015. Volkswagen says 11 million cars worldwide are affected in diesel deception. The New York Times, September 22: Available online

EY. 2017. Is your nonfinancial performance revealing the true value of your business to investors? Available online

Friede, G., Busch, T., & Bassen, A. 2015. ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 5 (4), 210-233.

Friedman, M. 1970. The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. New York Times Magazine, 13, 32-33.

Gatti, L., Vishwanath, B., Seele, P., & Cottier, B. 2019. Are we moving beyond voluntary CSR? Exploring theoretical and managerial implications of mandatory CSR resulting from the new Indian companies Act. Journal of Business Ethics, 160, 961-972.

Global Reporting Initiative. 2016. GRI 101: Foundation. Global Reporting Initiative, Amsterdam. Available online

Grabosky, P. N. 1994. Green markets: Environmental regulation by the private sector. Law & Policy, 16 (4), 419-448.

Green, J. M. 2009. Take the ‘Social’ out of CSR. Business Respect, 26 (1), February. Available online

Heal, G. 2004. Corporate social responsibility – an economic and financial framework. Annual Conference of the Monte Paschi Vita.

Higgins, D. 2011. Why reflect? Recognising the link between learning and reflection. Reflective Practice, 12(5), 583-584.

Jensen, M. C. 2002. Value maximization, stakeholder theory, and corporate objective function. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12 (2), 235-256.

Joyner, B. E. & Payne, D. 2002. Evolution and Implementation: A study of values, business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 41, 297-311.

Kolstad, I. 2007. Why firms should not always maximise profits. Journal of Business Ethics, 76, 137-145.

Laufer, W. S. 2003. Social accountability and corporate greenwashing. Journal of Business Ethics, 43, 253-261.

Lertzman, D. J. & Vrendenberg, H. 2005. Indigenous peoples, resource extraction and sustainable development: An ethical approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 56, 239-254.

Lovins, L. H. 2004. Natural capitalism: Path to sustainability? Natural Resources & Environment, Fall, 3-8.

Melnyk, S. A., Sroufe, R. P. & Calantone, R. 2003. Assessing the impact of environmental management systems on corporate and environmental performance. Journal of Operations Management, 21, 329-351.

Mitchell, R. K., Agle, B. R. & Wood, D. J. 1997. Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: Defining the principle of who and what really counts. The Academy of Management Review, 22 (4), October, 853-856.

OECD Report. 1995, updated. Alternatives to traditional regulation. Available online

Porter, M. E. & Kramer, M. R. 2002. The competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy. Harvard Business Review, December, 57-68.

Porter, M. E. & Kramer, M. R. 2006. Strategy and society: The link between strategy and corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review, December, 75-92.

Rondinelli, D. A. 2002. Transnational corporations: International citizens or new sovereigns? Business and Society Review, 107(4), 3910413.

Rondinelli, D. & Vestag, G. 2000. Panacea, common sense, or just a label? The value of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. European Management Journal, 18(5), October, 499510.

Scholtens, B. 2014. Indicators of responsible investing, Ecological Indicators, 36, 382-385.

Sheehy, B. 2015. Defining CSR: Problems and solutions. Journal of Business Ethics, 131, 625-648.

Shergold. P. 2009. Global financial crisis and economic downturn: Implications for corporate social responsibility. Issues Paper No. 1. Centre for Social Impact.

Sinclair, D. 1997. Self-regulation versus command and control? Beyond false dichotomies. Law & Policy, 19(4), October, 529-559.

Starik, M. 1995. Should trees have managerial standing? Toward stakeholder status for non-human nature. Journal of Business Ethics, 14 (3), 207-217.

United Nations Environmental Programme. 2013. GEO 5-for Business: Impacts of a changing environment on the corporate sector.

United Nations Environmental Programme. 2019. GEO 6 Global Environmental Outlook. Cambridge University Press.

Willis, A. 2003. The role of the global reporting initiative’s sustainability reporting guidelines in the social screening of investments. Journal of Business Ethics, 43, 233-237.

*Additional readings may be specified – refer to individual Topic Lecture Notes for the final list.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in various ways in this course, including verbal or written feedback on the return of assessment tasks, during class discussion, or during consultation with lecturers and tutors.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

As a further academic integrity control, students may be selected for a 15 minute individual oral examination of their written assessment submissions.

Any student identified, either during the current semester or in retrospect, as having used ghost writing services will be investigated under the University’s Academic Integrity Rule.

COMMUNICATION

 

Email and Forums the Wattle Course Website

Email and the Wattle course website are the preferred ways of communication. Student forums are set up on Wattle for each topic and can be viewed by all enrolled students and teaching staff. Students are encouraged to post any questions they have in the appropriate forum.

If necessary, the lecturer and tutors for this course will contact students on their official ANU student email address. Students should use this email address when contacting staff as spam filters used by ANU may not allow other email addresses to be received.

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Foundation: Corporations, shareholder primacy and stakeholder views of the firm and corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate social performance (CSP), stakeholders, ethics.	No tutorial
2	Market failure, externalities, sustainability: natural capital, social capital & cultural capital, ethics.	Tutorial Questions Topic 1
3	Forces for change: liberalisation, globalisation, technology, and the markets for capital, products & labour.	Tutorial Questions Topic 2
4	Forces for change: market for capital continued: responsible investment & business risk.	Tutorial Questions Topic 3
5	The business case for CSR.	Tutorial Questions Topic 4
6	CSR and economic responsibility/core business, ethics.	Tutorial Questions Topic 5 Research Assignment Part A due
7	Aboriginal cultural learning.	Tutorial Questions Topic 6
8	CSR and the role of government.	Tutorial Questions Topic 7
9	CSR Reporting: practices, approaches and frameworks	Tutorial Questions Topic 8
10	Theories of voluntary disclosure.	Tutorial Questions Topic 9 Research Assignment Part B due
11	Greenwashing and critical theory	Tutorial Questions Topic 10
12	Measurement and management of environmental impact	Tutorial Questions Topic 11

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities/tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Please see Wattle for tutors’ information

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Preparation (5%)	5 %	08/08/2022	*	1,2,3,4
Tutorial Presentation (5%)	5 %	08/08/2022	28/10/2022	1,2,3,4
Research Assignment Part (A) - Research essay (25%)	25 %	02/09/2022	23/09/2022	1,2,3,4
Research Assignment Part (B) - Shareholder Proposal (15%)	15 %	14/10/2022	28/10/2022	1,2,3,4
Final Examination (50%)	50 %	03/11/2022	01/12/2022	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Course delivery: on-campus lecture (recording on Echo360) and weekly tutorials (delivered on-campus and via live Zoom). Please check Wattle for details closer to the start of semester.

Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning, clause 2 paragraph (h).  

Examination(s)

Details regarding examination conduct can be found on the ANU website:

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Information regarding permitted examination materials for the course will be available on the examination timetable website when the examination timetable is released:

http://timetable.anu.edu.au/

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Preparation (5%)

Due date: The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. This assessment task is assessed weekly. There will be 5 checks of tutorial preparation from Week 3 to Week 12, with the first check no later than Week 5.

Instructions

Five (5) tutorial preparation checks to be submitted via Turnitin on Wattle, with at lest one tutorial preparation submitted no later than Week 5. It is up to you whether you submit as few as five tutorial preparations or all tutorial preparations. However, only the five best tutorial preparation submissions will count towards your tutorial preparation assessment.

Submission

The tutor will check your tutorial preparation on Turnitin.

Task details

Students are expected to complete assigned tutorial questions with sufficient effort. Tutorial questions will be posted on Wattle.

The tutorial work will be marked based on the extent of completion and effort (not accuracy). Tutorial questions must be completed before class. Each submission is worth 1%. A mark of zero for late or no submission will be strictly enforced. In case you cannot submit your tutorial work due to misadventure, sickness or other ‘valid’ reasons, please notify your tutor with supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) as soon as possible. Your tutor may assess an additional homework if sent before tutorial solutions are released.

Feedback

The assessment mark will be provided on Wattle by the end of the following week. Progressive feedback on tutorial preparation will be provided the week after submission. Students will receive feedback on their first tutorial preparation no later than Week 6.

Assessment Task 2

Tutorial Presentation (5%)

Due date: The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Tn this assessment task, students will be allocated in the first tutorials in Week 2. The presentation will start in Week 3.

Instructions

Individual students will be allocated a tutorial week in which they will present their findings to the set tutorial questions for the week, and promote broader discussion with the class on the weekly topic. The tutorial questions to be included in the presentation are available on Wattle. Students will be assigned the question they are presenting one week before their presentation. The presentation will be assessed based on four criteria (n.b. these are evenly weighted):

1) Content of the presentation - understanding of topic, coverage of all key issues, and level of evidence and reasoning provided for responses.

2) Quality of the presentation - the clarity, structure and cohesiveness of the response, creativity and interest of presentation format, and keeping to appropriate time limits.

3) Efforts and ability to engage class and encourage participation in discussions, and respond and interact with the class and tutor.

4) Individual presentation skills - the effectiveness and communication skills demonstrated by the individual student.

Feedback

Marks will be released progressively throughout the semester as students present each week. The return date listed in the assessment summary is the latest possible return date.

Assessment Task 3

Research Assignment Part (A) - Research essay (25%)

Due date: 5 pm on Friday, 2 September 2022

Instructions

Students will work individually for this assessment task. Part (A) of this Research Assignment provides you with an opportunity to apply theoretical aspects of corporate social responsibility relating to a practical case and/or academic debate, and develop your ability to analyse an issue critically and systematically. Each student will prepare a research essay based on a major issue(s) in Week 1 to Week 4. The preparation of the essay will require extensive reading. It is expected to be broadly researched, clear, well reasoned and argued, and that it will draw upon a considerable range of source material.

Submission

This assignment should be submitted via Turnitin.

Task details

Task details of the assignment will be provided by end of Week 2.

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided on the return of this assignment.

Assessment Task 4

Research Assignment Part (B) - Shareholder Proposal (15%)

Due date: 5 pm Friday 14 October, 2022

Instructions

Students will work individually for this assessment task. Part (b) of this Research Assignment provides you with an opportunity to identify and critically evaluate a practical issue, and provide a solution to address the issue. Each student will prepare a shareholder proposal to a corporation, requesting that the corporation undertake a course of action on a specific topic, for example, climate change, at the firm’s forthcoming annual meeting. The proposal must include an informed statement addressed to the firm, clearly setting out the reasons why you consider it should implement your proposed course of action.

Submission

This assignment should be submitted via Turnitin.

Task details

Task details of the assignment will be provided by end of Week 7.

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided on the return of this assignment.

Assessment Task 5

Final Examination (50%)

Instructions

The final examination will be a three-hour online exam. The scope of the final examination will be the whole semester's syllabus.

Centrally administered examinations through Examinations, Graduations & Prizes will be timetabled prior to the examination period. The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Please check ANU Timetabling for further information. Information regarding exam script viewing will be provided in due course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission not permitted. Submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments will be provided via the Turnitin system and the Wattle grade system.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

The resubmission of assignments in not permitted in this course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students