Introductory description

A quick read of most our daily news highlights how we are facing a number of significant global risks. Sustainability, diversity loss, climate change, global warming, data privacy, trade wars, and rising inequality are key current global risks. How should or can today's manager respond to these risks?

In this module we analyse the most significant social issues encountered by t he contemporary managers. Some of the 'social' or nonmarket issues we explore include:

• surveillance and data privacy,
• business and human rights,
• labour rights in supply chains, and
• sustainability and climate change.

However, we go beyond a simple one dimensional business perspective to explore these issues as risks to the environment and risks to communities, as well as risks to business; in doing so, we adopt a multi-risk perspective.

This module is only open to WBS undergraduate students, and some students taking joint degrees with WBS and another department. Students from other departments cannot take this module. To find detailed availability and to apply for this module, log in to my.wbs.ac.uk using your normal IT login details and apply via the my.wbs module application system. Once you’ve secured a place on my.wbs you should apply via your home department’s usual process, which usually takes place via eVision.

Note that you do not require the module leader’s permission to study a WBS module, so please do not contact them to request it.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Module Introduction and ESG Risk Management
Sustainability and Private Environmental Governance
Governance: Corporate Responsiblity vs Corporate Accountibilty
Transnational Labour Governance
Corporate Responses to Ethical Consumers
'Trust Me': Non-finanical Reporting
Social Risks: Big Data or Big Brother?
Business and Human Rights: Conflict Minerals
Led by Inferiors? Business and Politics
Academic Writing, Assessment, and Assignment

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Recognise and explain the different risks in a firm's natural, social, and political environments.
• Recognise and explain the different forms of socio-economic governance that surround business activity, particularly MNC activity, and the constraints and opportunities they present to firms.
• Recognise and explain the range of possible managerial responses in addressing global risks in a firm's natural, social, and political environments.
• Demonstrate the use of critical analysis skills at the appropriate level for 1st year undergraduate learning.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the quality of evidence.
• Demonstrate the ability to link themes and multi-disciplinary approaches together.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate analytical skills at the appropriate level for 1st year undergraduate learning.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate:
a) an ability to learn from and make use of written reference material;
b) demonstrate development of research skills; and
c) demonstrate an ability to apply abstract concepts to practical cases.