MANAGING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECTS

Course Description

is an undergraduate course offered by Cyprus International University. The course examines the strategic role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in contemporary organizations, with a focus on their impact on business, society, public policy, and the environment. Topics include the principles of CSR, stakeholder management, social responsibility frameworks, ethics and corporate behavior, globalization and responsible business practices, CSR in non-profit organizations, CSR strategy and leadership, performance evaluation based on CSR, and the development of effective social responsibility projects. At the end of the course, students are expected to critically evaluate social responsibility cases and emerging CSR trends, understand the strategic importance of CSR and sustainability, apply CSR principles to real-world business situations, analyze stakeholder expectations and contemporary CSR developments, assess the critical success factors of CSR initiatives, and design and evaluate corporate social responsibility projects that address organizational and societal challenges.

MANAGING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECTS

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

Course outcomes

1. 01 Differentiate the key drivers, current trends, and developments behind corporate social responsibility=4
2. 02 Demonstrate a solid understanding of the strategic nature of CSR, sustainability and its impact on and relationship to society, business, policy, and the environment =4
3. 03 Elaborate knowledge of international business, responsible globalization, and develop an ability to apply CSR principles to current business situations =5
4. 04 Critically evaluate cases, proposals, and new trends in social responsibility = 5
5. 05 Debate key components and critical success factors of a good CSR project= 5
6. 06 Reflect the knowledge when developing CSR project for a given company=5

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 William B. Werther Jr., and David Chandler (2006). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders in a Global Environment,
2. 02 Kreutzer, R. T. (2024). The path to sustainable corporate management. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
3. 03 Werther, W. B., & Chandler, D. (2021). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable Value Creation (5th ed.). Sage.
4. 04 Articles and case studies provided in the class

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Critically evaluate cases, proposals, and new trends in social responsibility SOLO 5
2. L02 Demonstrate a solid understanding of the strategic nature of CSR, sustainability and its impact on and relationship to society, business, policy, and the environment SOLO 6
3. L03 Elaborate knowledge of international business, responsible globalization, and develop an ability to apply CSR principles to current business situations SOLO 5
4. L04 Differentiate the key drivers, current trends, and developments behind corporate social responsibility SOLO 4
5. L05 Debate key components and critical success factors of a good CSR project SOLO 5
6. L06 Reflect the knowledge when developing CSR project for a given company SOLO 5

Program Outcomes

1. P01 Demonstrate an understanding of the core subfields of psychology — including but not limited to clinical, developmental, cognitive, social, and biological/neuroscientific psychology — and their interconnections with other scientific disciplines, critically evaluating the value of a multidisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry in psychology.
2. P02 Apply scientific methods, research techniques, measurement and psychometric principles (e.g., reliability, validity, scale development/adaptation), and quantitative/statistical reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena, recognizing methodological strengths, limitations, common reasoning fallacies, and the flaws of pseudoscience.
3. P03 Employ logical, intuitive, and creative thinking to analyze psychological concepts, evaluate theories (including their historical and philosophical development), synthesize information, and solve complex problems related to cognition and behavior.
4. P04 Integrate psychological theories and findings into practical settings (e.g., business, policy, clinical/counseling contexts, and daily life), applying foundational applied skills such as interviewing, observation, and case formulation, drawing meaningful conclusions to inform individual, organizational, and societal practices.
5. P05 Describe key ethical principles in psychological research and practice, critically applying these principles to dilemmas across academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
6. P06 Recognize how individual differences (e.g., beliefs, values, backgrounds) impact behavior and relationships; use psychological knowledge to prevent or resolve intercultural and interpersonal conflicts and promote inclusive, respectful interactions.
7. P07 Exhibit self-regulation and self-awareness, demonstrating a commitment to psychological well-being, effective time management, constructive incorporation of feedback, and ongoing personal and professional development.
8. P08 Collaborate effectively in diverse teams, demonstrating responsibility, bias awareness, conflict resolution skills, and leadership in achieving collective goals.
9. P09 Communicate psychological knowledge clearly and appropriately for academic, professional, and public audiences using inclusive language, both in written and oral formats, and by accurately summarizing and presenting research findings.
10. P10 Use information and communication technologies (including AI and digital media) responsibly and effectively for research, collaboration, and the dissemination of psychological knowledge.
11. P11 Embrace lifelong learning and adaptability in response to evolving psychological knowledge and societal needs, engaging with global perspectives and demonstrating intercultural awareness.

Po-Lo Matrix