cookieImage
2025-2026 / GEST3024-1

Ethical leadership and responsible management

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in political sciences : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in economics and business management4 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of social sciences)4 crédits 
 Master in multilingual communication, professional focus in economic and social communication (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 
 Master in multilingual communication, professional focus in corporate and non-profit communication5 crédits 
 Master in geography : general, teaching focus (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)3 crédits 
 Master in geography, general, professional focus in urban and regional planning3 crédits 

Lecturer

Virginie Xhauflair

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course explores how to act as a responsible manager, able to select and implement strategies ranging from basic regulatory compliance to the deep transformation of a business model, depending on context and challenges. It serves as a bridge to the master's level, guiding students from a critical perspective to the ability to take action. Building on an evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability approaches, the course focuses on managerial action and responsible decision-making.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and compare the different responsible management strategies
  • Assess the managerial implications (organization, finance, supply chain, reporting) of each approach
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas and trade-offs (short/long term, profit/impact) faced by managers
  • Make well-reasoned, context-appropriate decisions considering stakeholders and the chosen level of commitment
  • Adopt an ethical leadership posture, navigating regulatory constraints, societal expectations, and transformative ambitions
 

 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

  • Students must be able to express themselves in French and must be able to read fluently French and English
  • Students must have credited the following courses:
  • MOOC ULiège Durabilité et Transition (Bac 1)
  • L'entreprise face aux défis de l'anthropocène (Bac 2), Prof. Sybille Mertens

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Learning activities include

  • Interactive lectures: targeted theoretical and conceptual inputs, with concise reviews of Bac 1 and Bac 2 knowledge
  • Practitioner talks: compliance officers, CSR and sustainability managers, impact-driven entrepreneurs
  • Case studies and simulations: analysis of dilemmas and company cases, debates, and role-play decision scenarios
 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Further information:

Primarily in-person, with the possibility of a few asynchronous sessions for preparation or application.

Active participation in discussions and simulations is strongly encouraged to develop practical skills.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- LOL@


Further information:

Course materials, recommended readings, and case studies will be available on the online platform.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

Written exam based on a case study with open-ended questions, designed to evaluate the ability to apply concepts and propose a well-argued managerial decision.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

This course takes place every Monday from 10h15 till 11h45 and every Friday from 8h30 till 10h, from february to early may.

Contacts

Prof. Virginie Xhauflair, Centre d'Economie Sociale - HEC Ecole de gestion de l'ULiège - v.xhauflair@uliege.be

Teaching assistant : Margaux Père, Margaux.Pere@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs