Dr Chunyun Li

This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources), MRes/PhD in Management (Organisational Behaviour), MSc in Accounting, Organisations and Institutions, MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour), MSc in Human Rights and Politics, MSc in Management (1 Year Programme), MSc in Political Science (Global Politics) and MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

How to apply:

Places on oversubscribed courses will be allocated via a random ballot process with priority given to students with the course in their Programme Regulations, followed by other Department of Management students, then students from elsewhere in the school. Providing you apply before the Department deadline of 10am on Monday 28 September 2026, the time you applied will not be taken into account. Please be aware that places on high demand courses cannot be guaranteed. By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student’s chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.

For further information and updates on course availability during Week 1, please see the Department of Management Electives Moodle page.

Deadline for application:

Please apply by 10am on Monday 28 September 2026 with your first course choices. No allocations are made before this date and time.

For queries contact:

Please view the Department of Management Electives page for contact emails.

Any social science background.

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 implications of human rights due diligence legislations for firms. The course includes many case studies of how large corporations are dealing with the ethical challenges posed by global supply chains. The course will include a few joint lectures with CSR professionals to share real-world challenges and practices.  

15 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Winter 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.

Please refer to the syllabus for information on formative assessment.

• Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). The Bid Idea: Creating shared value. Harvard business review, 89(1), 1-17. 
• Anner, M. (2021). Three labour governance mechanisms for addressing decent work deficits in global value chains. International Labour Review, 160(4), 611-629.  
• Locke, R. M. (2013). The promise and limits of private power: Promoting labor standards in a global economy. Cambridge University Press.  
• Toffel, M., McNeely, E., & Preble, M. (2019). New Balance: Managing orders and working conditions. Boston: Harvard Business School Case Collection. 

Course participation (10%).

Essay (60%).

Project (30%).

This component of assessment includes an element of group work.

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.