Learning Objectives / Competencies:

After attending the course, students will be able to define the subject areas of sustainable HRM, business ethics and corporate responsibility. They can critically analyze the similarities and differences between these concepts and are able to classify their functions for a firm.

They can illustrate the business relevance of the subjects based on the costs of errors and consequences of unsustainable and unethical business behaviour and can describe the objectives and measures of both core areas and classify them from a strategic perspective. They are able to explain the positive effects of sustainable HRM and ethical business behaviour on core business parameters using relevant theoretical models and empirical findings. Students will be familiar with the operational instruments, concepts and measurement and reporting methods of both areas and will be able to apply, critically reflect on and evaluate them independently based on practical business issues. 

Students acquire social skills in group work as well as analytical and communication skills that they can use to advise all HR stakeholders.

Contents:

• Fundamentals & business relevance of sustainable HRM and business ethics 
• Theoretical and conceptual framework in sustainable HRM and business ethics
• Instruments and techniques of Sustainable HRM & business ethics
• The employee and stakeholders as pillars of sustainable and business ethical behaviour

Teaching and learning methods:

• Seminar-style teaching, lectures by HR experts
• Case studies, role plays, videos, podcasts, AI exercises
• Plenary discussions
• Student group work with short presentations on selected instruments

Readings:

Sustainable Human Resource Management

Sitko, Rafal (2023): Sustainable Human Resource Management. London et al.: Kogan Page. 

Business Ethics

Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S. & Spence, L. (2016): Business Ethics, 5^th edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.