Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This elective class aims to introduce students to the basic principles of ethical decision-making for international business and principles guiding international firms regarding corporate social responsibility in a globalising world.

6 X 3 hour lectures over a two week period.

 Please refer to the current postgraduate prospectus at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/ 

essay of 2500 words (100%)

This course aims to introduce students to the basic principles of ethical decision-making for international business and principles guiding international firms regarding corporate social responsibility in a globalising world. The class will present issues for discussion such as morality, ethics and responsibility through a range of theoretical perspectives, and examples of international guidelines from inter-governmental organisations, national government and selected multinational enterprises. Emphasis in this class is on interactive discussion, reading and research on current issues of concern regarding international business activity and responsibility. Examples relating to foreign direct investment, overseas production practices, exporting and marketing, human resources, general business practices, and ecology are amongst the issues that will be explored.

On completion of this course and prescribed readings students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

■ Ethics, corporate social responsibility and morality in the context of international business.

■ The importance of stakeholder groups and current debates on the extent of corporate social responsibility in a global context.

■ Cultural and philosophical differences in the understanding and application of ethical principles in relation to international business activity such as employment practices, foreign direct investment, exporting and marketing, and general business practices.

■ The role and principles of national and international regulatory environment and selected guidelines of inter-governmental organisations, and multinational enterprises

On completion, students will also be able to:

■ Discuss and evaluate current debates and issues concerning international business ethics and corporate social responsibility through interpretation of the reports and working papers of organisations such as the ILO, OECD and the UN.

■ Construct and apply frameworks for ethical business decision making for given international business activity.

■ Interpret case scenarios on basic ethical principles and ability to apply theoretical knowledge and frameworks to case examples.

■ Discuss international business control mechanisms and ability to formulate guidelines for international or internationalising firms.

■ Develop critical thinking skills through discussion, application and critical evaluation of theory and practice.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment. Further requirements may include monitored attendance at classes and examinations. All such requirements shall be specified by the Subject concerned, and given to students in writing at the beginning of the course. Normally no grade or credits shall be awarded to a candidate who has not met these requirements.