Business Responsibility and Sustainable Development (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The course covers the meaning of business responsibility and sustainability development in local and global business. The students learn the content of those concepts very widely. They learn to apply the theory of business responsibility and sustainability development to real companies. The students learn the content and meaning of circular economy.

After completing the course, the students:
- are able to describe the main contents of business responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy
- understand the meaning of those perspectives in business life
- can collect, analyze and compare the business responsibility and sustainable develop-ment of companies
- are able to apply the knowledge of business responsibility, sustainability development and circular economy to real companies business.

Content (course unit)

What is the content of business responsibility?
What is the content of sustainability development?
What is the content of circular economy?
Why are they relevant for companies?
How can companies tell these things to their stakeholders?
Co-operation project with international partners

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course sufficiently. They understand and recognize the premises and principles of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student has reached the objectives of the course well, although the skills and compe-tences are somewhat in need of further development. They are able to determine and apply the concepts and models of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy well and are able to conduct reasoned analysis.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student has reached the objectives of the course excellently. The student have mas-tered the concepts and models of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and cir-cular economy in an excellent manner. The student is able to conduct fluent and reasoned analysis and has good capabilities to apply their learning.

Location and time

The course begins on the 10th of February and ends in the end of April. Depending on the pandemic situation, the classes will be held on campus whenever possible. More detailed information will be shared on the course.

Exam schedules

To be notified and discussed during the classes.

Evaluation methods and criteria

The grading will be based on the essay, case analysis assignment and the final project. To be able to complete the course the student also needs to participate in classes and complete the given pre-tasks as instructed.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Team learning, project work, lectures and practical hands on exercises.

Learning materials

Literature and other additional material will be provided in class and on the Moodle page of the course.

Student workload

1 ECTS credit = ca. 26,66 hours of work. Completing the course requires that the student has successfully completed the following parts according to instructions given in class:
- Participation in classes
- Essay + Commenting
- Case analysis assignment
- Pre-tasks for classes
- Final project

Content scheduling

The classes will take place between 10.2.-21.4. The final project will be organised during 25.-29.4. More detailed information will be provided during classes.

Completion alternatives

If the student cannot participate on the course in the instructed way, they should always contact the teacher in order to find out if other ways of completing the course are possible.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Real life examples from real companies will be discussed during the course. Visiting speakers from Finnish companies depending on the pandemic situation.

International connections

International aspects are dicussed during the course and themes are not only focused on Finland. International visitors and project work if possible.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student hasn't achieved the objectives of the course or doesn't understand and recognize the basic premises and principles of corporate responsibility and sustainable development.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course sufficiently. They understand and recognize the basic premises and principles of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student has reached the objectives of the course well, although the skills and competences are somewhat in need of further development. They are able to determine and apply the concepts and models of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy well and are able to conduct reasoned analysis.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student has reached the objectives of the course excellently. The student have mastered the concepts and models of corporate responsibility, sustainable development and circular economy in an excellent manner. The student is able to conduct fluent and reasoned analysis and has good capabilities to apply their learning.