Business Management 2013

Teaching and Learning Resources

Sample unit of work: Corporate social responsibility

Three sample units of work are available for Business Management 2013: Managing organisational change Making small-to-medium enterprises work Corporate social responsibility. The Corporate social responsibility unit of work is provided in this resource. It is not a full unit of work, and the materials provided are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive. This unit of work relates to the context of corporate social responsibility. It demonstrates ways of teaching and learning in context. Schools may select from a range of contexts or they may develop contexts suited to student interests, school location and resource availability. Schools are advised to adapt teaching and learning experiences to suit student interest and the availability of resources.

Guidelines for sample resources

The sample resources incorporate the objectives described in the dimensions of the syllabus, include suggestions that schools may choose to follow, and offer flexibility to cater for a wide variety of students and school contexts. These sample resources demonstrate: organisation and development of course content teaching and learning supporting the syllabus learning experiences that support achievement of the objectives described in the dimensions alignment between content, learning experiences and assessment.

Learning experiences
Learning experiences support the educational goals of the subject and align with assessment. They are student-based activities that: provide opportunities to achieve the objectives described in the dimensions of the syllabus occur in authentic, relevant and worthwhile contexts vary in scope and depth, duration and degree of challenge reflect current practice in the wider community suit particular student needs, abilities and interests allow students to work independently and with others encourage students to think and act for themselves. Learning experiences should provide a balance and variety of activities across the whole course and cater for the schools context, resources and the unique characteristics of each cohort of students.

Year and duration Context

Year 12, Semester 1, 30 hours Corporate social responsibility (CSR) Management Practices (MP) Management practices involve business structures, the impact of internal or external environments on businesses, and the roles of business managers who plan, organise and lead businesses. Marketing Management (MM) Marketing management involves businesses continually researching consumer markets and tailoring products, ideas and services to satisfy the changing needs and wants of consumers and society.

Area/s of study and focus

Unit focus and overview

How does CSR contribute to a business competitive advantage? This unit analyses CSR from a range of different perspectives. Through the use of case studies of Australian and local companies, students will examine CSR challenges across a range of industry settings and develop strategies for responsible management.

Identified subject matter

What is CSR? Why does a business need a CSR policy? How does CSR provide a business with a competitive advantage? How does CSR advantage and disadvantage different stakeholders? What is the relationship between CSR and profit considerations? How do ethical considerations affect business management decisions and behaviour?

Learning experiences
Conduct internet research to develop a definition of CSR. In small groups, discuss the different definitions and develop a group list of the top five features of CSR and an explanation of how CSR provides a business with competitive advantage. Discuss different local businesses. In small groups describe the responsibilities these businesses have toward the people and communities in which they operate. Analyse whether small local shops have different responsibilities than large international corporations. Interpret and explain the similarities and differences through a comparative table. Analyse and debate the following CSR is a way for companies to benefit themselves while also benefiting society . In small groups evaluate a selected case study (e.g. McDonald's Social Responsibility Report: (http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/Corporate_Info.html), Environmental and Social Review published by BP (http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/STAGING/global_assets/downloads/E/Environmental_and_social_report_2002. pdf)). Collate the information into a suitable format (written, spoken or multimodal) which can be shared with the class. The presentation should: - explain how the business qualifies as a socially responsible business - describe the business socially responsible program - explain how the business markets their socially responsible work - describe which stakeholders are benefitting from the business socially responsible work - analyse the impact of the business socially responsible work, i.e. is the business more successful? - evaluate how the business could develop or expand its work - recommend other businesses that would benefit from adopting a similar program and justify how they would benefit. Read the following article: http://www.theage.com.au/business/gunns-failure-a-story-of-corporate-greed-and-hubris-say-mills-critics20120925-26jhv.html. Interpret the article to identify and explain the key issues. Select and organise the information into a suitable format to be shared. Invite a guest speaker from a local business, with a socially responsible program, to respond to The only social responsibility of a business is to increase its profits or Businesses are not bound by the same responsibilities as people. The business world operates within a different set of rules. Select a local business to case study. Conduct a survey of the local business that focuses on its use of socially responsible policies and programs to provide it with a competitive advantage. In pairs, interpret the data to identify and explain any issues. Analyse and present the data to the class. The survey should examine questions such as: - What are the companys business objectives? - How did the company get involved in the socially conscious program? - What is the focus of the social responsibility (environmental, local, social, etc.)? - How does it relate to the overall business? - What is the main motivator for their social responsibility? - What is the long-term plan as a socially responsible business? - Does it seem like the company is fully committed to the corporate social responsibility program? - Is there evidence of success or results from the socially responsible program? - How can consumers become more involved? - What are the next steps to elevate the level of social responsibility?

Identified underpinning practices

Communication strategies Students work in partnerships, groups and teams to: support and contribute to achieve outcomes actively listen to others work effectively with others, share ideas and encourage participation speak persuasively to express views research the ideas and views of others accept responsibility and experience different roles within a group. Management strategies Students work individually or in groups to: determine task allocation and resource requirements develop and manage timeframes and plans identify and test alternative strategies practise making decisions by considering the effect of management strategies (social, environmental, political and human) on stakeholders.

Assessment overview
Bringing a local focus to corporate social responsibility, students will create a proposal to encourage a local business to become socially responsible.

Assessment technique and conditions

Corporate social responsibility feasibility study Multimodal 5-7 minutes Individual

Possible assessment task/idea

Students create a proposal for a local business suggesting how it could become more socially responsible. Students evaluate existing business policies and formulate and justify a socially responsible proposal for the business. In preparing to develop their proposal, students will have to: explain how a socially responsible policy will benefit the business create a questionnaire to interview the business management or marketing department conduct an interview select and organise data and information from other sources interpret the data and information to identify any issues for the business analyse the issues.

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Business Management 2013 Sample unit of work: Corporate social responsibility Sample unit of work: Corporate social responsibility