Responsible Management

Aims and purpose 
Business and society face a number of grand challenges, ranging from severe environmental 
problems, digitization, over severe human rights issues to war. Companies and their managers 
play a role in both exacerbating and solving those challenges and, thus, are front and center in 
this scenario. Continuing business as usual seems to be impossible.  
After the completion of this course, students are familiar with general strategic management 
concepts in the context of Responsible Management. They have understood that the central 
challenge is the transformation of traditional business strategy — as a concept of a battle for 
markets and profits — into a more holistic responsible management approach that also takes 
environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns into account. Based on current theoretical 
discussions and insights into business practice, students are sensitized to the most important 
challenges towards Responsible Management, and they will be equipped with a number of tools 
necessary to foster transformative change in business.  
Using a combination of theoretical insights and case studies, the aim of this course is to 
understand the opportunities and challenges of (a more radical) responsible management and 
how managers (you!) can make a difference in whatever role and company you might find 
yourself. 

Course requirements 
Robust class discussions are essential to the success of our course. You are expected to come to 
class prepared to discuss the assigned reading material. Especially the assigned case studies 
must be studied carefully prior to each session. In addition to the readings on this syllabus, 
sometimes I will add recent media articles that cover real world cases in which ethical issues in 
business are raised. These articles will be distributed prior to class. 
Please remember that 90 hours of this course are assigned to self-study. 
Please note that all assigned material is subject to the exam.