The Social Responsibility of Organizations in the Global Community

This last decade has seen many changes regarding how organizations – both profit and non-profit – are organized, as many so-called “hybrid forms” of business are emerging that are blurring this distinction. At the same time, recent economic developments in the U.S. and Europe in particular are refueling the debate about the role of business in global society and social responsibilities, challenging Milton Friedman’s once so famous maxim: the business of business is business.

This course takes a broader perspective on corporate social responsibility. As a starting point it draws on the pioneering teachings of Harvard professor Doriot, whose ideas on socially responsible leadership, capital and the business organization influenced a whole generation of American business leaders from the twenties to the sixties. The course will particularly discuss the challenges brought on by increased complexity in today’s business world, such as globalization, distance between where decisions are made and where the impact of such decisions is felt, information technology etc.

This course is taught in English.