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
This course aims to explore how to act as a responsible manager, capable of selecting and implementing strategies ranging from basic regulatory compliance to the deep transformation of the business model. It builds on an understanding of systemic challenges (macro level), their company-specific translations (meso level), and concrete managerial levers of action (micro level). The course serves as a bridge to the master's level, guiding students from a critical perspective toward the ability to take action. Based on an assessment 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 different responsible management strategies by situating them within their economic, sectoral, and societal contexts
- Assess the managerial implications (organization, finance, supply chain, reporting) associated with each approach
- Analyze ethical dilemmas and trade-offs (short-term vs. long-term, profit vs. impact) faced by managers, based on concrete and realistic managerial situations
- Make realistic and well-argued decisions, taking into account the context, stakeholders, and the chosen level of engagement
- Adopt an explicit and well-assumed ethical leadership posture, capable of navigating regulatory constraints, societal expectations, and ambitions for transformation
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students must be able to express themselves in French and must be able to read fluently French and English
From academic year 2026-2027, students must have credited the following courses:
- MOOC ULiège Durabilité et Transition (Bac 1)
- L'entreprise face aux défis de l'anthropocène (Bac 2, Q1), Prof. Sybille Mertens
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning activities include
- Interactive lectures: targeted theoretical and conceptual inputs, including concise reminders of key concepts from Bachelor Year 1 and Year 2
- Practitioner testimonials: compliance officers, CSR and sustainability managers, impact entrepreneurs
- Case studies, simulations, and role-playing exercises: analysis of managerial dilemmas, structured debates, and progressive training in responsible decision-making
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
Predominantly face-to-face teaching, alternating conceptual inputs, analysis of real-life situations, exchanges with practitioners, and collective learning experiences, with the possibility of a limited number of asynchronous sessions
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 examination in the form of a case study with open-ended questions, designed to assess students' ability to mobilize the concepts covered in the course, analyze a complex situation, and propose a well-argued managerial decision that is coherent with an explicit level of engagement and ethical posture.
The individual written examination is based on a real case prepared in advance by the students, which serves as a basis for analysis and managerial decision-making
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
Co-instructor: Antoine Huberland, Antoine.Huberland@uliege.be