Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
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 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 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 and sustainable 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
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 of social and sustainable 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.
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.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning activities include
- Conceptual and theoretical presentations by the teacher (powerpoint)
- Readings and discussion in class
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid 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.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
Recommended or required readings
- A bibliography containing books and reference articles will be suggested for each topic. These documents will be made available (Lol@).
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Any session :
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
- Remote
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND written work
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
The overall assessment in june will combine two elements:
- A written open book exam - 70% (40% general questions, 30% a question to prepare in advance on the analysis of a sustainability practice)
- Writings of short essays in preparation of course sessions (30%)
In the second session, the evaluation is based on :
- A written open book exam - 100% (60% general questions, 40% a question to prepare in advance on the analysis of a sustainability practice)
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
This course takes place every Monday 4pm-6pm, from february to may (HEC - room 030). 1st course : Feb 8 2021
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