MG210 Half Unit
Corporate Social Responsibility and International Labour Standards
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Chunyun Li
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Management, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study, Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley, International Exchange (1 Term) and International Exchange (Full Year). This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course has a limited number of places (it is capped).
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Any social science background.
Course content
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an expected element of corporate strategy. This course critically evaluates CSR, focusing on firms’ attempts to prevent labour standards violations in their supply chains. We begin by analysing the rise of CSR, setting it in the context of global value chains and transnational regulation of labour standards. We then analyse topics such as the impact of CSR on corporate financial performance; whether CSR is an effective means of raising labour standards; theories of CSR; how to embed CSR within the firm and human rights due diligence. The course includes plenty of examples of how large firms are dealing with the ethical challenges posed by global supply chains. The course is interdisciplinary, and students are encouraged to bring insights from their “home” discipline so that seminars become a mutual learning experience. The course will include a few sessions from CSR professionals to share real-world challenges and practices.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
1.5 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative assessment
Students will have the opportunity to write 1 essay in the WT.
Indicative reading
- Aguinis, H., & Glavas, A. (2013). Embedded versus peripheral corporate social responsibility: Psychological foundations. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 6(4), 314-332.
- Anner, M. (2021). Three labour governance mechanisms for addressing decent work deficits in global value chains. International Labour Review, 160(4), 611-629.
- Elliott, K. A., & Freeman, R. B. (2003). Can labor standards improve under globalization?. Peterson Institute Press: All Books.
- Locke, R. M. (2013). The promise and limits of private power: Promoting labor standards in a global economy. Cambridge University Press.
- Porter, M. and Kramer, M. (2011) ‘The Big Idea: Creating Shared Value’ Harvard Business Review (Jan-Feb): 1-17.
Assessment
Essay (55%, 2000 words)
Essay (40%)
Course participation (5%)
For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.
Key facts
Department: Management
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: Unavailable
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Capped 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Commercial awareness