Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies to Create Business and Social Value

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 wanted to get acquainted with the North American model of corporate social responsibility, which is quite different from the European one. The program helped me to see the importance of networking and partnering with organizations—not only with NGOs, but also with consumer organizations, unions, and others. I now have a deeper understanding of what defines real leadership. The program was truly 'mind opening.' "
Esther Trujillo [CSR Manager], Telefonica, Spain