BUSA 2160: Corporate Social Responsibility

Concept Map

Spring 2025

Assignment Due: Monday, April 7 at 11:59pm in Brightspace

Preliminary Due Dates: Wednesday, February 19 and Monday, March 24 at 11:59pm in Brightspace

Point Allocation: See outline below, 15% of course grade

Deliverables:

1. Concept Map (PowerPoint slide)

2. Summary Paper (Word file)

Summary:

Students will independently complete a concept map throughout the semester as a culminating assignment mapping all readings/cases/research to the overarching concept of CSR/ESG. Using CSR as our starting point, students will map concepts as either antecedents or subsequent occurrences in relation to the starting point. Proper citation for readings/cases/research used to define or understand more about a particular concept will be a required component of the final deliverable.

Supporting Materials:

Assigned readings from throughout the course should be integrated into the final concept map. Students will require evidence of obtaining and incorporating additional reputable sources (see instructions below).

Instructions:

Prepare the concept map.

Begin by creating a single slide PPT file named as follows: BUSA 2160 – 2025S – Last Name, First Name.

Add a single rectangle to the center of the (otherwise blank) PPT slide. Insert a textbox to title the center concept (CSR).

As you read articles/cases/artifacts of evidential matter, consider the concept represented, and determine whether it should be identified as an antecedent or subsequent concept in relation to CSR/ESG.

For instance, a case over environmental regulation may be considered an antecedent of CSR activity, as it exists and oftentimes dictates CSR/ESG activity at the firm.

Create secondary rectangle + textbox to the left of the primary concept (CSR/ESG) to provide an opportunity to represent a related concept and map it to the point of interest.

Within the box, include a reference to the evidential matter or source for the concept.

Add an arrow to connect and denote a direction of influence between one concept and the other.

Ultimately, by adding to the concept map throughout the semester, students will create a web of related concepts and a repository of source information.

Students will be required to submit updated concept maps at the preliminary due dates listed above and in Brightspace.

Students are expected to include all assigned reading materials in concept map.

Students are expected to implement intellectual curiosity throughout the course, researching and learning more about various topics of interest on an independent basis. These readings are equally important and should be included in the concept map.

Students should be thoughtful to include reputable sources only (i.e., academic articles, practitioner-based articles from reputable sources, HBR content, public filings, industry leading professional organizations, etc.)

Prepare a summary paper (to be written at the end of the semester), using the following guidelines:

Paper should be prepared in accordance with the following structure:

Introduction: In your own words, define, compare, and contrast both CSR and ESG.

Antecedents of CSR/ESG: Describe a minimum of 3 important readings/articles/artifacts of evidential matter that you deem significant in influencing CSR/ESG within an organization. Your conclusions should draw on evidential matter and citations included appropriately.

Subsequent occurrences post CSR/ESG: Describe a minimum of 3 important readings/articles/artifacts of evidential matter that you deem significant in terms of outcomes resulting from CSR/ESG within an organization. Your conclusions should draw on evidential matter and citations included appropriately.

Reflection – Thoughtfully summarize your conclusions regarding where and how CSR/ESG is effectively implemented in business. What are constraints? What are areas of opportunity? What do you hope to see more of over your career? What do you want to learn more about?

Paper should be no more than 2 pages, 12-point font, single spaced, Times New Roman font. Bibliography section can be separate from the maximum two-page paper.

Point outline:

Deliverables

Rubric

Total Points

Concept map

See content map rubric in Brightspace

75

Summary paper

See summary paper rubric in Brightspace

75

150 points total

Example concept map: