MAN-20082 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

No

Description for 2024/25

The aim of this module is to provide understanding about the changing relationships between business corporations, society, natural environment and stakeholders in the context of a corporate governance agenda. The module provides a broad introduction to, and an opportunity to deliberate upon, some of the challenges posed by the corporate social responsibility and accounting codes and conventions which corporations use as a management tool for corporate governance to ensure social and environmental sustainable development. The module examines the theoretical frameworks available, discuss the challenges faced by companies, and explores the insight these models provide for understanding this element of business behaviour.

This module critically examines traditional financial accounting and the interfaces between corporate governance, social responsibility and sustainable development. The aim is to provide the student with the ability to appraise the usefulness of corporate governance and social responsibility and to integrate environmental issues into business decision-making. This module introduces students to the different theories that underpin accounting for governance and social responsibility. It will acquaint students with the nature and scope of alternative forms of corporate accountability which go beyond the traditional form of accounting model. Development of such alternative forms of corporate accountability is considered essential in the modern business world, as evidenced by the publication of substantial Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility/Sustainability reports by most of the FTSE 100 companies and top Global companies (e.g., G250). Students will learn the origins of the theory and practice of corporate governance and social responsibility practising and reporting, with insights into the real-life corporate practices in this area. The module has been designed to:
1 - equip students with an understanding of the role of corporate governance in terms of governance, compliance, economic, social, environmental, and ethical responsibilities in a responsible and sustainable business environment.
2 - enable students to understand the implications of corporate governance business strategies for the environment, social and wider ethical issues in society.
3 - understand the interaction between corporate governance and business strategies and management decisions.
4 - understand how globalisation impacts contemporary corporate governance and social responsibility reporting.
5 - assess the actual corporate responsibility practicing and reporting, and sustainability accounting practices, of profit and non-profit organisations. Among the discussed issues are: governance practices; the use of child labour, pollution and climate change; human and labour rights; safety and working conditions; globalisation and fair trade; financial probity; green business; and socially responsible investment.
6 - help students to identify ethical and social matters, stakeholder engagement make informed decisions and communicate these to stakeholders.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse the historical origins and the evolution of the concepts of corporate governance and social responsibility: 1,2
Systematically and critically evaluate corporate governance, social issues, and environmental issues: 1
Critically assess the role of the accounting profession in encouraging development of corporate governance codes, examining their impacts on corporate performance: 2
Critically assess the role of green policies and socially responsible investment in the development of accounting for corporate responsibility: 1
Critically appraise the key issues of corporate governance and environmental accounting for business strategy: 2
Demonstrate the complex way in which businesses governance relates to internal and external stakeholders, and to the natural environment: 2
Use of tools, techniques and strategies for managing and supporting corporate governance and social responsibility in practice: 1
Contribute to the future of corporate governance practice and social responsibility performance and reporting, to enhance the skills of reviewing and presenting scholarly work, and to develop skills of theorizing empirical observations
: 2
Understand the use of relevant theoretical frameworks to analyse corporate governance and social responsibility issues: 2

Study hours

Lectures: 12 hours
Tutorials: 6 hours
Tutorial preparation: 12 hours
Group-based assignment: 40 hours
Self-study and preparation for final exam: 80 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment