Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable Corporate Governance

Content

„The world does not have a problem, but people do!“

Are there thresholds at which it is too late to act? Have we already reached them? Is climate change really our only problem? How do we solve challenges such as planetary boundaries, biodiversity, discrimination, inequality, etc.? Do proclaimed solutions to problems deliver what they promise or are they just empty words? What can companies contribute to solving problems? Which aspects must “sustainable” corporate governance fulfill and take into account?

The aim of this lecture is to critically discuss possible solutions and examine them from different perspectives. As always, all that glitters is not gold - how do you know whether an investment with a “green” label is actually a sustainable investment? Is the information provided by companies really credible? These and many other questions will be addressed over the course of the semester. We will specifically deal with the following topics:

ESG data and processes, technology

1. "What you can measure you can manage"? Which role does data play in solving the major global sustainability challenges?

2. "Technology will save us"? Which role do technologies play in solving the major global sustainability challenges?

Social dimension of ESG: supply chain, human rights, diversity and equal pay

3. From the Ruggie Principles to the LkSG: Are human rights sufficiently protected in the supply chain (abroad)?

4. Equality versus equalization: What are the responsibilities for companies?

Environmental dimension of ESG: climate and biodiversity

5. What does the biodiversity crisis mean for us and how can biodiversity loss be made measurable at company level?

6. Reducing emissions yourself or buying CO₂ certificates (“offsetting”): What are the pros and cons and how can companies weigh up the two options?

Governance dimension of ESG: governance und corporate behaviour, corporate digital responsibility

7. Digital ethics & responsibility: What values and attitudes do companies need in the digital world?

8. Sustainable Corporate Governance: Which key developments promote sustainable corporate governance?

ESG ratings, greenwashing and investor protection, sustainable finance

9. ESG ratings and their role in the corporate decision-making process

10. Mechanisms of action and boundaries of sustainable finance

Reporting (CSRD/EU Taxonomy/ISSB/carbon accounting and reporting), ESG trust und assurance

11. What is changing from a sustainability reporting perspective? What are the new regulatory requirements and what does this mean for companies?

12. Challenges in preparing a non-financial report - What will be important for companies and supervisory bodies in the future?

Contact Person

Josipa Ćurić (organizational responsibility)

Date

Monday, 2 p.m. – 5.15 p.m.

WiWi J 1109

Procedure

The seminar takes place in cooperation with the auditing company PwC.

In the introductory event (first week of the semester), you will receive further organizational information and a thematic introduction. You will then be asked about your topic preferences and assigned to a group according to your preferences. The allocation will then be announced by e-mail.

In the six subsequent dates, we will look at two related topics in more detail each time. The first date on the list of topics will take place two weeks after the introductory event to allow time for preparation.

For each topic, a group of students develops an introductory presentation (approx. 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the number of students). Experts will then provide students with detailed insights into the problem.

In addition to this presentation, a short individual paper (approx. 10 pages) is also part of your examination performance. In this paper, you can deal independently with your presentation topic once again. The seminar paper must be submitted by e-mail no later than three weeks after the respective presentation date.

The presentations by your fellow students and the experts focusing on different facets of the sustainability issue offer you an unique opportunity to recognize the "problem of holism" in this area.

The aim of the course is to provide you with the necessary knowledge and awareness to be able to make informed judgments about sustainability issues and to contribute to the sustainability solution yourself.

examination

The lecture is suitable for bachelor students of all business and economics degree programs (BWL, VWL, GBM, ReWi, DFM).

The examination requirements are: individual seminar paper, group presentation, participation.

The dates of the lecture as well as the specific deadlines for the presentations and seminar papers will be announced in the introductory event and the corresponding Digicampus group.

Further Information

Information for the formal design of your seminar paper can be found in the "Guidelines for the preparation of scientific papers". These are available in Digicampus under "Chair Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schultze" → "Files".

During the seminar, your name and e-mail address will be communicated to the other seminar participants and to the auditing company PwC. If you do not agree to this, please let us know when you submit your topic preferences!

Please note that the submission of your topic preferences must be regarded as binding. If you fail to complete the required work without justification or if you drop out, the chair reserves the right to take this decision into account when you apply for a seminar place or for participation in courses with participant restrictions.

Courses summer semester