European Master and Certification Program
in Risk Engineering and Management

B3-4: iCSR&S
Integrated Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Course code: 181775
Language of instruction: English
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Aleksandar S. Jovanovic (Steinbeis EU-VRi GmbH), Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Dr. h.c. Ortwin Renn (Universität Stuttgart (ZIRIUS))
Assessment: Defined in the module

Short description

The course presents basic elements of the concept of Corporate (Social) Responsibility (CSR) and its practical application in industry. It starts with key elements of the CSR, focuses on CSR methodologies and tools and on the technology related aspects as a part of the modern practices of industry (HSE, HSSE). Analysis/comparison of the practices in the EU, US and other countries and relevant data and information on best practices worldwide are elaborated, including a number of relevant case studies from the key industries and references to main sources of relevant data and information. A particular unit of the course is dedicated to the ISO 26000 standard.

Objectives

The course deals with social responsibility by explaining

  • concepts, terms and definitions related to social responsibility
  • the background, trends and characteristics of social responsibility
  • principles and practices relating to social responsibility
  • the core subjects and issues of social responsibility
  • integrating, implementing and promoting socially responsible behavior throughout the organization and, through its policies and practices, within its sphere of influence
  • identifying and engaging with stakeholders and
  • communicating commitments, performance and other information related to social responsibility.


Target Attendees / Participants

The course is dedicated to

  • students
  • representatives of the governmental institutions, private sector and civil society dealing with social responsibility issues including corporate/regional/national strategies
  • managers at all levels in an organization/institution.


Course Content by Units

Unit 1: iCSR main concepts and decision making framework

  • Introduction to the course (Overview of the main topics, General concept of the course)
  • What is iCSR
  • Core subjects and issues of social responsibility (ISO 26000)
  • Importance of codes, norms and standards
Unit 2: Risk management and/in iCSR and technology related issues of iCSR - Life Cycle Analysis

Unit 3: iCSR in international environment

Unit 4: iCSR in the European Union

  • iCSR definitions and basic approach
  • Key documents
  • Key initiatives and projects
  • Example projects involving iCSR

Unit 5: iCSR in Germany

  • National Strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Some other initiatives and organizations
  • Examples of German rating institutitons

Unit 6: iCSR reporting - GRI G3

  • Rationale
  • Implementation

Unit 7: SRI (Social Responsible Investing) and iCSR

  • Social responsible investing
  • iCSR rating

Unit 8: Sustainability and competitiveness. Examples from industry

Unit 9: Final discussion and repetition of main course topics



Teaching Methods

The course includes:

  • introductory note explaining aim and structure of the course, and used lecturing methodology as well
  • ex cathedra lecturing illustrated by number of examples
  • Brainstorming sessions and practical work
  • direct contacts/visits to the main stakeholders

Literature

  1. Lecture notes:
    integrated Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
    Version 05, December 2011
  2. Transparencies:
    integrated Corporate Responsibility - introduction (version 01, November 2011)
    Introduction and principles of LCA modelling GaBi 4 (January 2010, PA International)
    iCSR – integrated Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Emerging Risks (version 07, January 2012)
    Introduction to RiskEars Forum, RiskEars Tool (Database) & Survey Tool (version 8, November 2011)
    Examples: Risk Spark - Land degradation and land use vulnerability in metropolitan France (version 01, November 2011)
  3. Additional material
    National Strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility – Action Plan for CSR - of the German Federal Government (October 2010)
For more information about the European Master and Certification Program in Risk Engineering and Management in general, go the Homepage.
For more information about the European Master Program in Risk Engineering and Management in general, go the Master Study page.
To see more courses in the curriculum, go to The curriculum page, or by date and topic go to the Calendar of Courses page.
Contact: via email sti889@risk-technologies.com or phone +49 711 1839 781 or +49 711 1839 647
(Course profile ID: B3-4:, generated on January 15, 2025)