Organizational Behavior Mba 502

“Business & Society” A Strategic Approach to Social Responsibility & Ethics

Facilitator Contact Information: Matthew Phillips, MBA 615-651-4791 – Call or Text [email protected]

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a strategic responsibility framework that address to role of business in society. Social Responsibility is concerned with issues related to values and expectations, as well as the rights of members of society. This view of social responsibility examines the extent to which a business adopts a strategic focus for fulfilling the economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities expected by all its stakeholders.

Course Objectives:

 Students will learn the framework of Social Responsibility and the strategic management of stakeholder relationships.  Students will examine corporate governance, legal, regulatory, and political issues.  Students will examine business ethics and ethical decision making in the business setting.  Student will learn about strategic approaches to improve ethical behavior in employee and consumer relations.  Students will learn about community relations and strategic philanthropy.  Students will examine the nature ethics and social responsibility as it relates to technology issues and ethical responsibilities in finance.  Students will learn the impact of social responsibility  Students will relate these concepts and tools to real-world situations.

Required Text:

Business & Society E4 “A Strategic Approach to Social Responsibility & Ethics.

Unit Textbook Chapters 1 1, 2, & 12 2 3 & 4 3 5 & 6 4 7, 8, & 9 5 10 & 11 Grading Policy: Each weekly grade is determined by combining the “complete” section points and the “discuss” points. For example – 65 points for complete and 25 points for discussion posts equal 90 points for the unit which is an “A” for that week.

Homework (Complete) 375 points You can earn a maximum of 75 points total for the “Complete” assignments each week.

Participation (Discuss) 125 points Log in and post responses to the topics on the Discussion Board. Check the board at least twice a week and post a minimum of two quality responses to other learners’ comments. It is possible to earn a maximum of 25 points per unit for active, critical participation.

Grade Breakdown: A = 90 – 100 points per week. B = 80 - 89 points per week. C = 70 - 79 points per week. D = 60 - 69 points per week. F = 60 points per week. Time Zones: Homework deadlines are based on Central Standard Time. Attendance Policy: Completing homework assignments on a timely basis, as well as quality postings and frequency of participation, are essential components for successfully completing this course. Late submissions WILL NOT receive full credit and will be subject to a 15 point deduction for each day assignment is late. Late submissions on discussion questions will not be accepted. All course work must be submitted by the final deadline of Unit 5. Academic Integrity: All submitted homework and discussion board postings are expected to be completed by the learner. All learners are expected to adhere to all rules associated with academic and personal integrity. Plagiarism in any form will result in failure. Important recommendations: Copy & Paste: It is highly recommended that you write your responses to the discussion posts and the complete sections in a Word document. Word works to your advantage helping you identify errors and other grammatical errors. Remember, you may never meet your facilitator face to face. This is the only place you can make a good impression and demonstrate your attention to detail. APA Format: The Virtual Campus is not designed to accept all APA formatting. There is no need to create a cover page, abstract, title, or page headers. There is no need to double space your work. It is important to post comments in complete sentences and paragraphs. Think of each unit’s work as your answers to the questions written as a single paper that is cut and pasted into each block of the Virtual Campus. With that in mind the sources used as references in the paper would normally be included in a separate page of the paper under the heading of “References”. The Virtual Campus does not allow for a second page. After the last sentence of the “complete” assignment in the “Recommendation” block include the word “References” followed by all of the references incorporated in your work. Here is an example of how an in text citation and a reference should look pulled from the Home Depot case study. “Company’s stock had fallen to $XX to $XX dollars per share” (Thorne, Ferrell, & Ferrell, 2011). Notice the quotation marks because this is a direct quote from the case. The correct way to reference the text in the “Reference” section of each unit’s work is as follows: Thorne, D., Ferrell, O., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business & Society. (4th ed.). Mason OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. All referenced materials should follow a similar format. If you are uncertain you can find a lot of tips for APA format on the internet or purchase the latest edition of an APA Handbook. Note: Wikipedia or any of the “Wiki” information sources are not acceptable sources for references. Any reference cited from the “Wiki” sources will not be counted as one of the required references. Read: It is important for you to read and understand the major concepts in all of the assigned reading. Being able to incorporate the principles and concepts from the reading in the analysis or recommendation sections of the written work is the most effective way to demonstrate critical thinking. Attend: Listen carefully as this section provides supplemental information to the assigned reading. Discussion: This is a great place to begin incorporating some of the concepts or principles from the reading. If you reference specifics from the text or an outside source be sure and include the reference at the end of your post. Initial discussion questions should each contain a minimum of a 100-word response due by Midnight (CST) Wednesday night. You should also reply with a minimum of a 50 word response to two other students in your cohort. Participation for each module is considered during the assigned week. Complete: Responses must be written in APA style and should reach or exceed the minimum word count stated on the assignment matrix below. In-text citations and references are required when utilizing outside sources of any kind. Wikipedia is not considered an acceptable resource for college-level work. Each Unit’s specific requirements are defined in the next section. Weekly Unit Assignments: Here are some general things that need to be included in your work. Critical thinking – you can best prove you understand the material presented by offering solutions and suggestions to the case study by applying principles discussed in the textbook. 1. Tell me the principle(s) you would use and how you would use it/them. 2. Be sure and reference ALL sources. Remember I only have a handful of paragraphs that you have presented to determine if you have absorbed and understand the concepts. 3. Make it clear in your writing that you have read the work and applied the principles to get the highest grades. Unit 1: By Wednesday midnight post the initial post (one post) to the “Discussion” question meeting the minimum requirements defined above. By Sunday midnight post your written responses to all of the blocks in the “Complete” section. When you combine all of the sections in a word count you must post a minimum of 750 words total – do not include the references in the word count. Applying the principles might include a discussion on how Disney could benefit from concepts like trade agreements, or considerations for social, political, economic impact? Could they consider joint ventures or strategic alliances? Just to name a few. A minimum of two references required. You may use the textbook for one of the two. Unit 2: By Wednesday midnight post the initial post (one post) to the discussion question meeting the minimum requirements defined above. By Sunday midnight post your written responses to all of the blocks in the “Complete” section. When you combine all of the sections in a word count you must post a minimum of 750 words total. Applying the principles might include a discussion as CEO how you might specifically incorporate concepts like organizational culture, assigning responsibility, structure, supply chain, or managing quality? Just to name a few. A minimum of two references required. You may use the textbook for one of the two. Unit 3: By Wednesday midnight post the initial post (one post) to the discussion question meeting the minimum requirements defined above. By Sunday midnight post your written responses to all of the blocks in the “Complete” section. Post a minimum of 750 words total. Continue to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts by incorporating them into your analysis and/or recommendations. A minimum of two references required. You may use the textbook for one of the two. Unit 4: By Wednesday midnight post the initial post (one post) to the discussion question meeting the minimum requirements defined above. By Sunday midnight post your written responses to all of the blocks in the “Complete” section. Post a minimum of 750 words total. Continue to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts by incorporating them into your analysis and/or recommendations. A minimum of two references required. You may use the textbook for one of the two. Unit 5: By Wednesday midnight post the initial post (one post) to the discussion question meeting the minimum requirements defined above. By Sunday midnight post your written responses to all of the blocks in the “Complete” section. When you combine all of the sections in a word count you must post a minimum of 1000 words total. Continue to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts by incorporating them into your analysis and/or recommendations. A minimum of three references required. You may use the textbook for one of the three.