The course aims to study corporate social responsibility in the retail sector. To this end, it begins with basic concepts of business ethics, especially in the context of globalization, in which this sector is immersed. On the subject of social responsibility, the general concept is addressed, noting its breadth, and special attention is paid to the retail sector, particularly in the three major traditional areas of analysis: environmental, social and economic. The supply chain is of central importance in the sector, as companies have a responsibility to the consumer for what they sell. This topic leads to stakeholder theory and the reporting of social responsibility through specific or integrated reports. The sustainability reports of some companies in the sector will be studied comparatively. Throughout the course, a critical look will be taken at CSR, seeking to deconstruct some of the data acquired.
1. business ethics
2. Stakeholders
3. Corporate social responsibility
4. Disclosure of CSR
Discuss what business ethics consists of
Understand stakeholder theory
Understand corporate social responsibility and its relationship with business ethics
Distinguish instruments for promoting CSR
Analyze sustainability reports
Discuss and reflect on the main criticisms of CSR.
Introduction
Principles of business ethics
2.1- Business ethics
2.2- Business ethics and globalization
2.3- Challenges of business ethics in the retail sector
Corporate Social Responsibility
3.1- Concept
3.2- CSR in the retail sector
3.2.1- The environmental dimension
3.2.2- The social dimension
3.2.3- The economic dimension
3.2.4- The supply chain
3.2.4.1- Fair trade
3.2.4.2- Animal cruelty-free products
3.2.4.3- Environmentally friendly products
Stakeholders
4.1- Stakeholder theory
4.2- The salience theory
4.3- The materiality matrix
CSR reporting and disclosure
5.1- CSR assessment tools and techniques
5.1.1- THE GRI
5.1.2- ESG
5.2- Sustainability reports
5.3- The SDGs in sustainability reports
5.4- Reporting and disclosure in the retail sector
Criticisms of CSR
6.1- Greenwashing
6.2- Bluewashing
6.3- The risk of manipulating sustainability reports
Mandatory:
Bibliographic resources available on the platform:
1. Almeida, F. (2007: 31-43; 57-89; 147-206) Responsabilidade Social das Empresas e Valores Humanos. Tese de doutoramento.
E-learning.
Continuous assessment is privileged: 2 digital written documents (e-folios) during the semester (40%) and a final digital test, Global e-folio (e-folio G) at the end of the semester (60%). In due time, students can alternatively choose to perform one final exam (100%).