Class Ethics, Social Responsibility and Sustainability

The numerous financial scandals, the transition to the digital economy, the globalization crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis all require the introduction of ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable considerations into the practice of human resource managers. In this context, this course provides the conceptual tools to support the ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable decisions of HR managers across all areas of their activity.

Not applicable

  S1. Ethical principles in HRM: deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and care.     S1.1. Ethical dilemmas and problems.     S1.2. Main systems of standardization, certification, and codification of ethics in human resources management. Codes of conduct. Ethical auditing.  The Ethics' Ombudsman. Internal Reporting Channel. S2. Concept of corporate social responsibility: Economic, legal, and ethical social responsibility. Intrinsic and instrumental social responsibility.     S2.1. Main systems of standardization, certification, and codification of social responsibility. S3. Concept of sustainability. Economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Standardization and codification of sustainability in HRM. S4. Analysis of specific cases: bribery and corruption, discrimination (gender, racial, ethnic, religious), and affirmative action; impact of Artificial Intelligence and climate change on HRM.  

  This course emphasizes: M1. A dialogic method of presenting the syllabus content. M2. Critical analysis of theory applied to reality and individual and group discussions on the program content. M3. Practical case studies that promote the application of ERSS standards. M4. Testimonials from managers of different organizations on the implementation of ERSS practices and strategies in HRM. M5. Visits to leading companies in ERSS in HRM and/or participation in important events related to the areas of knowledge.

  Amrutha, V.N. Geetha, S.N. A systematic review on green human resource management: Implications for social sustainability, Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 247, 119131.   Cooke, F. L., Dickmann, M., & Parry, E. Building sustainable societies through human-centred human resource management: emerging issues and research opportunities. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2022. 33(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.2021732  Kreismann, D., & Talaulicar, T. Business Ethics Training in Human Resource Development: A Literature Review. Human Resource Development Review, 2021, 20(1), 68-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320983533   Mara Del Baldo. Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Resource Management and Corporate Family Responsibility. When A Company Is “The Best Place to Work”: Elica Group, The Hi-Life Company, Economic Research-Ekonomska Istra¿ivanja, 2013, 26:sup1, 201-224, DOI: 10.1080/1331677X.2013.11517648