MBA528 Advanced Business Ethics and CSR


MBA528 Advanced Business Ethics and CSR

Syllabus   |  International University of Sarajevo  -  Last Update on Mar 03, 2026

Referencing Curricula

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Management

Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Semester
Spring
Course Code
MBA528
Weekly Hours
3 Teaching + 0 Practice
ECTS
6
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Mode Delivery
Face-to-face
Prerequisite For
-
Teaching Mode Delivery Notes
-
Cycle
II Cycle
Prof. Jane Doe

Sumeyye Kusakci

Course Lecturer

Position
Associate Professor Dr.
Phone
033 957 321
Assistant(s)
-
Assistant E-mail

Course Objectives

This course aims to develop a critical understanding of sustainability and responsible business practices in a globalized economy. It explores how organizations address complex challenges related to environmental responsibility, social impact, ethical decision-making, and stakeholder expectations. Through a combination of conceptual discussions, academic readings, and real-world case analyses, students will examine contemporary sustainability issues from multiple theoretical and managerial perspectives. The course seeks to strengthen students’ ability to critically evaluate business decisions, understand competing stakeholder interests, and develop informed and responsible managerial judgments in complex organizational contexts.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1
Understand advanced ethical theories and their application in business decision-making and CSR initiatives.
2
Analyze the ethical challenges and dilemmas faced by businesses in a globalized, digital economy.
3
Evaluate the role of CSR in building competitive advantage, enhancing brand reputation, and contributing to sustainable development
4
Apply business ethics principles to real-world cases involving ethical decision-making, stakeholder conflicts, and sustainability.
5
Develop strategies for integrating CSR into business operations, governance, and corporate strategy.
6
Critique the impact of corporate practices on society, the environment, and stakeholders, and propose ethical improvements.

Course Materials

Required Textbook

Rasche, A., Morsing, M., & Moon, J. (2017). Corporate sustainability: Managing responsible business in a globalized world. Cambridge University Press.

Additional Literature
Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S., & Spence, L. (2019). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Teaching Methods

Lectures
Academic Insight Session
Corporate Dilemma Analysis

Weekly Topics

This weekly planning is subject to change with advance notice.
Week Topic Readings / References
1 Kick Off Meeting
2 What & Why Corporate Sustainability Chapter 1
3 Historical Foundations Chapter 2
4 Ethical Approaches Chapter 3
5 Stakeholder Theory Chapter 4
6 Strategic Approaches Chapter 5
7 Political Approaches Chapter 6
8 Ecological Perspectives Chapter 7
9 Organising & Governance Chapter 9 & 15
10 Sustainable Finance Chapter 11
11 Consumers & Corporate Accountability Chapter 14
12 Human Rights, Labour Rights & Diversity Chapter 21 & 22
13 NGOs, Activism & Reputation Politics Chapter 13 & 16
14 Eid al-Adha!!!
15 Revision and Exam Preparation

Course Schedule (All Sections)

SectionTypeDay 1Venue 1Day 2Venue 2
MBA528.1 Course Tuesday 17:00 - 19:50 B F1.35 FBA Conference Room - -

Office Hours & Room

DayTimeOfficeNotes
Tuesday 10:00 - 13:00 B F1.34
Thursday 10:00 - 13:00 B F1.34

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Assessment Components

30%x1
Final Exam
AI: Not Allowed

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  1  2  3  4

30%x1
Academic Insight Primary Discussant
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  1  2

10%x2
Academic Insight Secondary Discussant
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  2  3

20%x1
Corporate Dilemma Analysis
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  3  4

10%x1
Attendance & Participation
AI: Not Allowed

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  1  2  3  4

IUS Grading System

Grading Scale IUS Grading System IUS Coeff. Letter (B&H) Numerical (B&H)
0 - 44 F 0 F 5
45 - 54 E 1
55 - 64 C 2 E 6
65 - 69 C+ 2.3 D 7
70 -74 B- 2.7
75 - 79 B 3 C 8
80 - 84 B+ 3.3
85 - 94 A- 3.7 B 9
95 - 100 A 4 A 10

Late Work Policy

Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.

ECTS Credit Calculation

📚 Student Workload

This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:

Lecture Hours

45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)

Academic Insight Primary Discussant

20 hours ⏳ (20 week × 1 h)

Academic Insight Secondary Discussant

20 hours ⏳ (10 week × 2 h)

Corporate Dilemma Analysis

15 hours ⏳ (15 week × 1 h)

Final Exam

50 hours ⏳ (50 week × 1 h)

150 Total Workload Hours

6 ECTS Credits


Course Policies

Academic Integrity

All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.

Technology & AI Policy

Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.

Communication Policy

All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [MBA528] in the subject line.

Academic Quality Assurance Policy

Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.

More info

Learning Tips

Engage Actively

Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.

Read and Review Purposefully

Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.

Think Critically in Assignments

Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.

Ask Questions Early

Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.

Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo

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