Your Course of Study
Through recent case studies, lectures, and small group discussions, you will examine how successful businesses develop a CSR strategy that is integrated with the long-term needs of the business. In addition, you will have numerous opportunities to learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of peers from around the world. Core topics include:
Integrating Social and Organizational Values
- Making the business case for social responsibility by calculating costs and benefits
- Recognizing the links between the welfare of society and the success of the organization
- Examining opportunities designed to benefit the organization as well as the community
- Integrating corporate social responsibility best practices into key business areas
- Identifying and managing the positive and negative impacts of business activities on society
Driving Social Responsibility Throughout the Organization
- Aligning social responsibility strategies and goals with
organizational objectives
- Embedding CSR within the business culture to sustain the strategy
over the long term
- Building CSR expertise through hiring and partnerships
- Integrating social responsibility metrics into general performance
management systems
- Disseminating information on CSR policies throughout the
organization
- Demonstrating how CSR practices continue to affect individuals and
departments
- Communicating the impact of social responsibility to capital
markets, shareholders, and other stakeholders
Managing Risk and Decision Making
- Evaluating complex environments and potential impacts before investing capital or making business decisions
- Interacting successfully with governments, NGOs, and stakeholders
- Decentralizing CSR to allow for local differences and optimizations across the organization
- Identifying current vulnerabilities and predicting future pitfalls related to business practices
- Developing preparation and prevention processes for handling crisis scenarios
- Integrating CSR initiatives in vendor and supplier agreements
"I certainly came out of the program with a better and clearer understanding of the importance of aligning the business strategy with CSR activities. In addition, I realized the vast potential that a social enterprise can offer as a CSR initiative within a for-profit company. Now I am convinced that we need to find new opportunities to implement this model at my company."
Claudia Valladares [VP Banca Comunitaria], Banesco, Venezuela