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Prof Stephan Chambers, Dr Jonathan Roberts and Dr Julia Morley

This course is compulsory on the Executive MSc in Social Business and Entrepreneurship. This course is not available as an outside option.

Social and environmental purpose is critical to the current business and leadership agenda.  Large commercial sector companies are increasingly wrestling with challenges to their legitimacy and considering how to support senior staff in approaching questions of social impact, justice, harm mitigation and moral purpose – whether as corporate social responsibility strategies or more profoundly integrated within the core objectives of the firm.  These concerns are no longer peripheral, but are central issues for the competitive advantage and survival of firms; they are also central to solving environmental and social problems.  Many of the ideas and practices behind this realignment remain unclear and challenging. 

This course takes on the key debates in this field and provides a framework for action for senior managers.  First, it  considers the emerging landscape of the purpose-driven corporation and the different labels in this field, from the conscious corporation to corporate social responsibility (CSR)  and to the benefit corporation.  Second, it explores theoretical propositions concerning, and the empirical evidence for, the concept of ‘shared value’ –  the suggestion that, by creating social impact, or at least by reducing harmful practices, firms can increase their profitability.   Third, it addresses the challenge for the modern firm of providing an account of its social performance,  examining the theory and practice of accounting for environmental and social impact through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria and other systems of social accounting.  Fourth, it examines the role of the various stakeholders in the purpose-driven corporation, including shareholders, managers, employees and consumers.  Finally, the course explores how to integrate ESG management and a social and environmental focus into business practice.  Cross-cutting themes include particular reference to climate action and corporations, and exploration of the dynamic policy environment, including emerging legal codification of the benefit corporation in a number of countries and tax policy towards corporations.

Using analytical frameworks drawn from management, accounting, and public policy, the course will critically evaluate the opportun