Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Notes
Subject Overview
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility covers the ethical and governance dimension of management — why it matters and how it's actually practised in India. You'll cover the nature and purpose of business ethics and ethical decision-making, Indian ethos and its relevance to management, the history, evolution, and Indian models of CSR (including Carroll's model), and close with the international CSR framework — the UN Global Compact, Sustainable Development Goals, and OECD guidelines. This is a 2-credit Skill Enhancement Course across 4 units.
Subject at a glance
4
Units
34
Topics
2
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Nature
- scope and purpose of ethics
- importance of ethics and moral standards
- ethical principles in markets
- environment
- trade
- finance and HR
- science and human values
Marketing
Truthful advertising, fair pricing
Finance
Honest accounts, no insider trading
HR
Fair pay, no discrimination
Environment
Sustainable use of resources
Trade
Fair competition, no cartels
Study guide
This unit introduces ethics in business: its nature, scope and purpose, why moral standards matter, and ethical principles in markets, environment, trade, finance and HR. Think of a real company scandal and identify the ethical principle that was broken.
- Need
- purpose and relevance of Indian ethos
- brain stilling
- total quality mind
- intuition
- intellectual-rational vs. holistic-spiritual brain
- professional ethos and codes of ethics
- foundational human values — freedom
- creativity
- love
- wisdom
Focus
Profit and efficiency
Holistic welfare and values
Work seen as
A job for reward
Duty (karma), done with excellence
Decision basis
Rational analysis
Rational plus intuition and wisdom
Goal
Material success
Material and spiritual well-being
Study guide
You study Indian ethos for managers: its need and relevance, ideas such as brain stilling, total quality mind and intuition, intellectual-rational versus holistic-spiritual thinking, professional ethos, codes of ethics and human values such as freedom, creativity, love and wisdom. Link each idea to a practical workplace example.
- Meaning
- definition
- history and evolution of CSR
- corporate philanthropy and citizenship
- triple bottom line and sustainable business
- CSR and corporate governance
- environmental aspects
- Carroll's model
- drivers and codes of CSR in India
- Philanthropic
Be a good corporate citizen
- Ethical
Do what is right, just and fair
- Legal
Obey the law
- Economic
Be profitable
Study guide
You study CSR in India: its meaning, history and evolution, corporate philanthropy and citizenship, the triple bottom line, CSR and corporate governance, environmental aspects, Carroll's pyramid, and drivers and codes of CSR. Know that Indian companies meeting the law's thresholds must spend on CSR under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals
- relationship between CSR and the MDGs
- UN Global Compact 2011
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- OECD CSR policy tool
- ILO tripartite declaration
UN SDGs
17 goals for 2030
UN Global Compact
10 principles: rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption
UN Guiding Principles
Protect, respect, remedy human rights
OECD Guidelines
Responsible conduct for multinationals
ILO Tripartite Declaration
Labour standards for MNEs
Study guide
You study the international framework: the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals, the link between CSR and the MDGs, the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD tool and the ILO declaration. Learn the 17 SDGs by name.
Why Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Matters
Ethical behaviour and responsible business are now part of how companies are judged by customers, investors and employees. This paper shapes your professional judgement and strengthens answers in interviews and case discussions.
How to Prepare for Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Collect two real CSR projects of Indian companies and describe their impact.
- Learn Carroll's pyramid and the triple bottom line with examples.
- Practise discussing an ethical dilemma from several viewpoints.
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the triple bottom line?
It is the idea that a business should measure success by people, planet and profit rather than profit alone.
Is CSR spending mandatory in India?
Under the Companies Act, 2013, companies that meet certain net worth, turnover or profit thresholds must spend a share of average net profit on CSR activities.