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Social Corporate Responsibility

Code: 104788
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Communication in Organisations OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Estrella Barrio Fraile
Email :
estrella.barrio@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Ana María Enrique Jimenez

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No prerequisite is necessary. 

Objectives

- Know the discipline from its theoretical foundations, conceptualization and historical origins.
- Define what corporate social responsibility is and know how to identify its dimensions and thematic areas.
- To know how CSR is managed strategically and transversally in the organization.
- To know how to identify the different stakeholders and how to establish channels of dialogue with them.
- To understand the professional dimension of the activity in Spain and the world.
- Address the strategic communication of CSR.

In short, CSR will be worked on as a strategic and transversal element in the organization that involves all departments and responds to the interests of all stakeholders, which is why dialogue between the company and its stakeholders is fundamental.

The final objective of this subject is to introduce students to a process of education and training that will facilitate access to the professional profile responsible for leading CSR in organizations (chief communications officer or CSR director).

Learning outcomes

  1. Show initiative and leadership skills.
  2. Generate creative ideas in the workplace.
  3. Plan and execute academic projects in the field of strategic communication that focus on developing corporate social responsibility plans.
  4. Defend the arguments of the organisation and its leaders orally and in writing, in order to explain to the competition, but also to all kinds of audiences, their objectives, functions and idea of service to society.
  5. Show expert knowledge of the factors involved in preparing an organisation's corporate social responsibility plan.
  6. Identify and describe an organisation's corporate social responsibility objectives in order to gain a competitive advantage regarding its internal and external clients.
  7. Adapt to new situations in a constantly changing work environment due to social, economic political and technological changes.
  8. Demonstrate ethical awareness in the application and management of corporate social responsibility in order to improve the work environment and the social impact of the organisation in its geographic area of operations.
  9. Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
  10. Propose new methods or well-founded alternative solutions.
  11. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
  12. Identify the social, economic and environmental implications of academic and professional activities within one?s own area of knowledge.
  13. Propose viable projects and actions to boost social, economic and environmental benefits.
  14. Analyse the indicators of sustainability of academic and professional activities in the areas of knowledge, integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions.
  15. Identify the main inequalities and discriminations in terms of sex/gender present in society.
  16. Analyse the sex- or gender-based inequalities and the gender biases present in one's own area of knowledge.

Contents

THEME 1: Contextualization of Corporate Social Responsibility

The intangible value of organizations

Causes of the current demand for CSR


THEME 2: Conceptualization of Corporate Social Responsibility

Conceptualization and definition of CSR

Origin and evolution of CSR

Principles, dimensions and stakeholders


THEME 3: Other social manifestations in organizations

Social action: donations, foundations, corporate volunteering

Corporate philanthropy

Marketing with a cause


THEME 4: Managing CSR in the company

What does managing CSR mean?

The CSR management process

CSR communication

The Corporate Social Responsibility manager


THEME 5: The CSR plan

Environmental assessment.

Setting objectives.

Formulating the strategy/strategies.

Operational plan.


The course content will be sensitive to issues related to gender perspective and the use of inclusive language.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Prácticas 16 0.64 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
individual and group tutoring 7.5 0.3 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
self-study and performance of work 88 3.52 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Seminars 16 0.64 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Lectures 16 0.64 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16

Detailed exposition of the theoretical contents of the syllabus, especially of all the concepts that are imparted in this matter. In this way the students will have a theoretical base that will allow them to carry out, a posteriori, the planned learning activities.With regard to the practical sessions, the class will be divided into subgroups in order to be able to do a more personalised work with the seminar or practical tutors. In these practice sessions, group exercises will be carried out, raised in class, directly related to the specific topics as they are taught. These exercises will implement the method service-learning, the method of case study, solving communication problems and / or the reading, analysis and sharing of specialized articles that the teacher considers of interest for the subject matter.

Within these practices, one of them stands out where the Service Learning (SL) methodology is applied, through which students are trained by participating in a project aimed at solving a real need in a community and thus improving people's living conditions or the quality of the environment. This methodology is based on the identification of a real need and involves three factors: the provision of a service to solve it, meaningful learning for the students and a reflective process. It therefore requires collaboration with a social entity. For more information about ApS: https://www.uab.cat/ca/aprenentatge-servei

As colophon to the subject the students will realize a final practice based on the study of a real experience of management of the CSR in an organization. This final work will also be done in group (with the same group formed to the practical sessions).  In this way, the students will contrast in practice the theoretical knowledge explained in class.
 
In the virtual campus, students will have links to complementary content for each thematic block. These materials must be read and reviewed in advance both to do the practices and to prepare the final theoretical test.

A detailed schedule outlining the content of each session will be presented on the first day of the course and will be available on the course’s Virtual Campus, where students will find all teaching materials and necessary information for effective course monitoring. Should the teaching modality change for reasons of force majeure according to the competent authorities, the teaching staff will inform students of any modifications to the course schedule and teaching methodologies.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Written test 40% 2 0.08 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16
Practices 30% 2.25 0.09 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Presentation final work 30% 2.25 0.09 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13

Continuous evaluation

The subject evaluation system is based on the following percentages:

A) 40% Control of knowledge. The test must be passed (5 or more) to pass the subject (essential condition).

B) 30% Execution and presentation of the practical exercises.

C) 30% Realization of the final practice.

A(40%) + B (30%)+ C (30%) = 100% FINAL GRADE OF THE SUBJECT

Re-evaluation

a) According to regulations, in order to participate in the catch-up process, students must have been previously assessed at least 2/3 of the total evaluable activities of the subject and have obtained at least a 3.5 weighted average grade of the subject.

b) The theory can only be recovered if the pupil in the multiple-choice exam has obtained a score equal to or less than 4.9. The make-up test will consist of a written test to evaluate theoretical knowledge.

c) The student who has obtained a D in one of the practices either because he has suspended or because he has not presented it (as long as it is for reasons accredited or acceptable by the teaching team) will have the option to present himself to his recovery during the period established ad hoc. The recovery of each practice will consist of the resolution of a case or CSR management problem in the classroom (day or time to be determined).

d) The final work of the subject (30%) is an evaluable work that cannot be recoveredin case of suspension. The reason is because it is practically impossible to carry out another job of these characteristics with the time available to us.

Single evaluation

The single assessment system has the following percentages:

A) 30% Theoretical test. It must be passed (5 or more) to pass the subject (essential condition) (The exam model is different from the continuous assessment). This test will include a question on one of the articles of the documentary research work presented by the student.

B) 20% Test to solve multiple case studies on CSR management.

C) 20% Oral presentation of a documentary research paper. Compile three scientific articles per theme, write a review of each article, relate concepts and reflect on the topics covered. This analysis, reflection and relation with the theory must be presented in an oral defence where the student, in addition to presenting his/her work, must give answers to questions posed by the teacher about the material presented.

D) 30% Submission of a final paper. Drawing up a CSR plan for a real organisation.

Reassessment single evaluation

a) According to regulations, in order to participate in the catch-up process, students must have been previously assessed at least 2/3 of the total evaluable activities of the subject and have obtained at least a 3.5 weighted average grade of the subject.

b) The theory can only be recovered if the pupil in the multiple-choice exam has obtained a score equal to or less than 4.9. The make-up test will consist of a written test to evaluate theoretical knowledge.

c) The mark obtained in the case resolution will form part of the weighted average of the final mark. Only in the case of failing this test and if the student so considers, he/she may choose to recover it with a test of the same nature.

d) Both the documentary research paper (oral presentation) and the final paper are not recoverable and the markobtained in each paper (whether passed or not) will form part of the weighted average of the final mark.


In the case of a second enrollment, students may choose to take a single comprehensive exam, which will consist of a theoretical portion (50%) and a practical assignment (50%). The final grade for the course will be based on the score obtained on this comprehensive exam.


IMPORTANT FOR ALL TYPESOF EVALUATION

PLAGIARISM

In the event that the student performs any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation of an evaluation act, this evaluation act will be graded with 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that could be instructed. In the event, that several irregularities occur in the evaluation acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.

AI USE

For this course, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for assignments completed outside the classroom. However, the teaching staff will specify the permissible use for each assignment or activity. Students must clearly identify any AI-generated content, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and the final outcome. A lack of transparency regarding AI usage in this graded activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in partial or total grade penalties, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Any student suspected of submitting assignments that have been generated by AI, written by others or copied; include unattributed AI-generated content, or fall outside the permitted scope, may be asked to provide the preliminary work or other materials that can demonstrate it is original work and the result of their own authorship. They may also be asked to separately explain or justify their work. Teachers may also use AI detection systems or carry out any verification tasks they deem appropriate. If, after review, the instructor detects irregularities, the assignment may be graded zero, and the student may be subject to further disciplinary action.

NON ASSESSABLE

According to the UAB Academic Regulations, the subject will be considered \"non-assessable\" when the student has not provided sufficient evidence of assessment to be able to grade it. In this case, the failure to complete the theoretical test and submit the final work.

Bibliography

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barrio, Estrella; Enrique, Ana-María. (2021). The strategic value of corporate social responsibility (CSR): the present and future of its management. Profesional de la información, v. 30, n. 3, e300312. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2021.may.12

Barrio, Estrella. (2019). Responsabilidad Social Corporativa. De la noción a la gestión. Barcelona: UOC. https://elibro.net/es/ereader/uab/105597

Barrio, Estrella. (2018). La gestión de la responsabilidad social corporativa: Propuesta de un modelo teórico. Questiones publicitarias, Vol. 1, n.º 22, pp. 59-68, https://raco.cat/index.php/questionespublicitarias/article/view/349285

Estanyol, Elisenda, Lalueza, Ferran, & Compte-Pujol, Marc. (2025). Comunicar la responsabilidad social corporativa en la era de la desinformación: una aproximación a las agencias de relaciones públicas en España. Palabra Clave, 28(s1), e28s114. https://doi.org/10.5294/pacla.2025.28.s1.14

SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAFHY

Barrio, Estrella & Enrique, Ana María. (2020) El gestor de la Responsabilidad Social en las empresas: dircom vs dirse. VII Congreso Internacional AE-IC. València. https://ddd.uab.cat/record/238193

Benavides, Juan & Montfort, Abel. (2015). Comunicación y empresa responsable. Madrid: Eunsa.

Carroll, Archie, B. (1999). Corporate Social Responsibility. Evolution of a Definitional Construct. Business and Society, 38(3), 268-295 https://doi.org/10.1177/000765039903800303

Dirse (2019). II Estudio de la función dirse en la empresa española. Madrid: Asociación Española de Directivos de Res-ponsabilidad Social (Dirse). https://www.dirse.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/190509-DIRSE_Estado-de-la-profesion-2019_LARGO_V3.pdf

Enrique, Ana María & Morales, Francisca. (2015). Somos estrategas. Dirección de Comunicación Empresarial eInstitucional. Barcelona: Gedisa.

Freeman, R.Edward. (1984). Strategic Management. A Stakeholder Approach. Boston: Pitman

Kotler, Philip; Hessekiel, David & Lee, Nancy R. (2012). Lo Bueno funciona. Madrid: Editorial LID.

Marín, Francisco. (2008): Responsabilidad social corporativa y comunicación. Madrid: Fragua.

Monfort, Abel; Villagra, Nuria; López-Vázquez, Belén (2019). Exploring stakeholders’ dialogue and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on Twitter. Profesional de la información, v. 28, n. 5, e280513. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2019.sep.13

Sanahuja-Peris, G., Antón-Carrillo, E., & Mut-Camacho, M. (2023). De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de “propósito”: expresión y análisis discursivo del propósito corporativo en España. Estudios sobre el Mensaje Periodístico, 29 (3), 701-715. https://doi.org/10.5209/esmp.87208

Sotillo, Sandra (2021). La era de la confianza. Cómo convertirse en una empresa TrustMaker. Madrid:ESIC

Valbuena, Esther & Monfort, Abel. (2020). Ética, deontología y responsabilidad social empresarial. Madrid: ESIC

Varios autores (2025). El reto de la sostenibilidad. Competencias y conceptos clave. MCGRAW-HILL INTERAMERICANA S.A.

Villagra, Nuria, Cárdaba, Miguel A. M. & Ruiz San Román, José A. (2016). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility: re-assessment of classical theories about fit between CSR actions and corporate activities. Communication & Society, 29(2), 133-146. https://doi.org/10.15581/003.29.2.133-146

Software

Word, Power Point and Excel.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 7 Spanish first semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 71 Spanish first semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 72 Catalan first semester afternoon