Duration
Theory : 30h Th
Practice : 15h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in political sciences : general | 3 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in economics and business management | 4 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in business engineering | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Theory : Sybille Mertens de Wilmars
Practice : Sybille Mertens de Wilmars
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Course description
The economic and financial crisis, the increase in inequalities and the prospects for climate change call for a change in the economic system and for profound changes in our modes of production and consumption. Businesses can play an important role in this transformation.
It is now essential for a student in economics and management to understand the limitations of current business models and to be able to assess the potential and risks of innovative and alternative models that fit in sustainable development.
This course includes a theoretical teaching unit (30h) and a practical teaching unit (15h).
The theoretical part first offers students a reading grid allowing them to critically analyze the enterprise's behavior vis-à-vis its main stakeholders (workers, suppliers, consumers, financiers, civil society, environment, etc.). ). Then, it offers an introduction to social business models. These social enterprises are interesting to study because they integrate, as a priority, social and environmental concerns to their economic objectives. In doing so, they develop innovative practices that can inspire the transformation of businesses and of our economic system.
The practical part is based on enterprises visits, conferences and the realization of case studies to put into practice the learning achieved in the theoretical part.
Theory
Course description
The economic and financial crisis, the growing inequality and the prospects of climate change are arguing for a fundamental change in the economic system. Through their activities and the choices they make, some enterprises are more directly inspiring for this transition. They are called "social enterprises". They fit totally in the perspective of sustainable development when they feature, sometimes as a priority, the social and environmental concerns in their economic objectives. This is usually expressed in their interactions with their stakeholders (employees, suppliers, consumers, financiers, civil society, etc..) This course provides students with a reading for their critical analysis of firm behavior vis- à-vis its main stakeholders. It also gives a good introduction to new inspiring business practices experimented in social enteprirses.
Content
1 - Systemic crisis and transition
- Triple crisis
- Sustainable development
- Transition management
- Definition
- Diversity of the business world
- CSR, externalities, stakeholders
- Social enterprises
- Regulation, multinational firms, NGOs
- Public production, privatisation, liberalisation, nonmarket sector
- Solvent demand and exclusion
- Asymetry of information and trust goods
- Collaborative economy
- Revenues, property and power
- Financing-mix and sustainable development goals
- Socially responsible investment
- Evolution of work forms
- Self-management
- Links between Economic activity and environmental degradation
- Circular economy
Practice
This teaching unit aims to put into practice the theoretical learnings of the course "Social Enterprise and Sustainable Development"
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course , students will be specifically able to :
- Develop a critical reflection on our current production modes
- Translate sustainable development into concrete terms of relations between the company and its stakeholders
- Evaluate the potential for innovation and the risks ofsocial enterprises models
- Connect with the ecosystem of social enterprises and sustainable development in Belgium
- Find and process information about the relationship between the company and its stakeholders
- Identify, describe and analyze sustainable development practices in social enterprises
These specific learning outcomes reinforce the following generic learning outcomes of our bachelor program in Economics and Management Sciences. Indeed, this course will help students to:
- identify the political, societal and economic context of a complex situation and to identify the legal constraints that apply to it
- understand the societal, economic, political and environmental issues of a complex situation
- take a holistic approach when analyzing a complex management problem
- demonstrate critical thinking, curiosity and scientific rigor at university level
- take a critical and ethical look at their managerial practices.
- develop their creativity, their autonomy and their entrepreneurial spirit
Theory
At the end of this course , students will be specifically able to :
- Develop a critical reflection on our current production modes
- Translate sustainable development into concrete terms of relations between the company and its stakeholders
- Evaluate the potential for innovation and the risks ofsocial enterprises models
These specific learning outcomes reinforce the following generic learning outcomes of our bachelor program in Economics and Management Sciences. Indeed, this course will help students to:
- identify the political, societal and economic context of a complex situation and to identify the legal constraints that apply to it
- understand the societal, economic, political and environmental issues of a complex situation
- take a holistic approach when analyzing a complex management problem
- demonstrate critical thinking, curiosity and scientific rigor at university level
- take a critical and ethical look at their managerial practices.
Practice
At the end of this practical course, students will be specifically able to:
- Connect with the ecosystem of social enterprises and sustainable development in Belgium
- Find and process information about the relationship between the company and its stakeholders
- Identify, describe and analyze sustainable development practices in social enterprises
- develop their creativity, their autonomy and their entrepreneurial spirit
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Students must have completed an introductory course in economics and, if possible , in microeconomics and public economics
- Students must be able to express themselves in French or English and must be able to read fluently French and English.
Theory
- Students must have completed an introductory course in economics and, if possible , in microeconomics and public economics
- Students must be able to express themselves in French or English and must be able to read fluently French and English.
Practice
Students must have followed the theoretical course "social enterprise and sustainable development", theories (30h).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning activities include
- Conceptual and theoretical presentations by the teacher (powerpoint)
- Readings and discussion in class
- Practical activities
Theory
Learning activities include
- Conceptual and theoretical presentations by the teacher (powerpoint)
- Readings and discussion in class
Practice
Four activities are planned:
- Social enterprises Business Tour
- Participation in conferences on social enteprises and sustainable development
- Writing of case studies
- Presentation of case studies
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
The theoretical course is organized into two parts. The first part recalls the theoretical raison d'être of the entreprises and justify the great diversity that exists in this field (private, public, SMEs, large companies, multinationals, with profit or social purposes) . This part also describes the conceptual and theoretical foundations of sustainable development and transition. The second part is devoted to the analysis of relationships between enterprises and their key stakeholders. The analysis is illustrated by cases discussed in class.
Theory
The theoretical course is organized into two parts. The first part recalls the theoretical raison d'être of the entreprises and justify the great diversity that exists in this field (private, public, SMEs, large companies, multinationals, with profit or social purposes) . This part also describes the conceptual and theoretical foundations of sustainable development and transition. The second part is devoted to the analysis of relationships between enterprises and their key stakeholders. The analysis is illustrated by cases discussed in class.
Practice
Face to face
Recommended or required readings
- A bibliography containing books and reference articles will be suggested for each topic. These documents will be made available (Lol@).
Theory
- A bibliography containing books and reference articles will be suggested for each topic. These documents will be made available (Lol@).
Assessment methods and criteria
The overall assessment (theory and practice) will combine several elements:
Theoretical part
- Writing small essays in preparation for class sessions (20%)
- A written exam to evaluate the student's ability to enrich his argument with the course lectures and additional reading (80%)
Practical part
- writing a case study (group work): 60%
- presentation of a case study (group work): 30%
- participation in company visits and conference (individual): 10%
Theory
The overall assessment will combine two elements:
- Writigs of short essays in preparation of course sessions (20%)
- A written examination to assess the ability of students to enrich his argument with presentations of the course and further reading (80%).
Practice
The evaluation is based on:
- writing a case study (group work): 60%
- presentation of a case study (group work): 30%
- participation in visits and conferences (individual) : 10%
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
This course takes place every Monday 4pm-6pm, from february to may (Campus Sart Tilman - room to be confirmed).
The calendar of company visits and conferences will be specified at the beginning of Term 2.
Theory
This course takes place every Monday 4pm-6pm, from february to may (Campus Sart Tilman - room to be confirmed).
Practice
The presentation of business cases will take place during the theoretical classes (Second term- Monday 4-6pm) at Sart Tilman.
Scheduled dates for company visits and conferences will be announced at the beginning of the second term.
Contacts
Sybille Mertens Cera Chair- Center for Social Economy HEC-Management School - University of Liège - B33/box 4 - 4000 Liège Tel : + 32(0) 4 366 27 51 - smertens@uliege.be
Theory
Sybille Mertens Cera Chair- Center for Social Economy HEC-Management School - University of Liège - B33/box 4 - 4000 Liège Tel : + 32(0) 4 366 27 51 - smertens@uliege.be
Practice
Prof. Sybille Mertens
+32(0)4 366 27 51 - smertens@uliege.be