Social Business in Latin America

Course Description

The business world is recognizing the added value of thinking beyond the traditional linear process. It is well known that sustainable development is reshaping the business strategies to meet the aims of protecting, sustaining and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future.

In this course, we will focus in finding the solutions by raising some of the right questions. How can we contribute to change the way that companies design strategy and create sustainable value? How can we tackle critical social issues in brand new ways? It is imperative to change the logic of value creation. The triple bottom line (people, planet and profit) are becoming pillars of sustainability and demand that business performance be evaluated in the broader context of social benefit. Organizations will be successful if they take proactive measures to build social integration. We will examine the relationship between the economic system and environmental and social policies such as transparency and mutual agreements on the business, public and social sector in Latin America. Students will become familiar with literature about sustainable development and social inclusion. By incorporating this knowledge, the course will enhance cross-organizational and management practices that support healthier and more responsible business. By the end of the semester students will come up with their own projects based on challenging innovation as high-value for companies.

Course Requirements

This course requires of a very dynamic student who will benefit from the combination of academic and hands on learning in UBcampus. Besides the regular meetings in class, the student will have to attend discussion session and lectures, prepare oral presentations, analyze case studies and attend three visits outside class time. Students will also conduct research on a specific topic, the nature and scope of which should be determined in consultation with the professor. By the end of the semester, students will present to the class the outcome of this research, and write an 8-10-page final paper. The requirements also include four short comprehensive quizzes. In addition to this, each student will be expected to make a significant contribution to the classroom dialogue. Students need a minimum of 75% of attendance to be in good standing for the final exam. Sliding the ID card is the only way to track attendance. UB holds to the view that plagiarism constitutes intellectual theft and is a serious breach of acceptable conduct. Any student caught plagiarizing will immediately be given a “no credit” for all courses taken in the semester. There are no make ups for classes falling on public holidays.