UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MODULE OUTLINE

MODULE TITLE: Business, Governance & Society (MAN3031)

Lecturer/Tutor: Office Hours:

Phone:

Email:

MODULE DESCRIPTION
This module introduces students to the relationship between business, government, and society.
It examines the impact of business on society, and government’s role in managing this
relationship.

MODULE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Describe the nature, and role of business in society
2. Evaluate various ethical dilemmas relating to government, business and society
3. Explain the concept of corporate social responsibility
4. Evaluate the role of government in regulating business and other societal activities
5. Outline the process by which laws are enacted
6. Evaluate government’s role in maintaining law and social order
7. Understand the issues related to civil rights
8. Understand the issues relating to human rights and diversity

MODULE TOPICS

UNIT 1 Relationship between Business & Society 6 Hours

 Definitions – business and society
 Role and nature of business in society
 Relationship between business and society
 Societal considerations for business activity
 Criticisms of business operations
 Social, ethical and legal issues affecting businesses
 Business and its responsibility to multiple stakeholders
 Corporate citizenship and social responsibility,
 Justifying the need for social involvement of business

UNIT2 – Business Government & Society 8 hours

 Purpose of government
 Structure of government
 Regulatory role of government in business
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  Definition and role of non-governmental organizations (NGO)
 Government’s role in maintaining social order
 Governance and social order
 Nature of corruption and its impact on society
 Theories of state and issues of governance
 Citizenship & society
 Attributes of good governance

UNIT 3 - Law, Rights & Society 4 Hours

 Purpose of rights and relevance to society
 Economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights
 Types of diversity
 Tolerance, diversity and social order
 Human rights and diversity
 Citizenship in terms of rights and responsibilities
 Differences between civil liberties and civil rights

Law & Society 8 Hours

 Major sources of law
 Legislative process
 The Constitution
 Constitutional fundamentals
 Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
 The Judiciary –impartial and independent
 Meaning and purpose of separation of powers

TEXTBOOK/REFERENCE

 Steiner, George, Steiner, J., (2005), Business, Government and Society: A Managerial
Perspective, McGraw-Hill
 Greer, Douglas, Business, Government, and Society, 3rd Edition, Prentice-Hall
 Ferell O. C., Fraedrich J., Business Ethics, Ethical Decision Making and Cases, 9th
Edition, Houghton, Mifflin Company, Boston, New York

Supplemental reading material will be provided.

ASSESSMENTS

Essay (Individual) - 15%

Test 1 (Units 1 & 2) - 20%
Group Assessment (Oral & Written) - 35%
Test 2 (Unit 3) - 10%
Group case (written) - 20%
TOTAL 100%

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ASSESSMENTS

1. Essay (15%) – Individual – Week 3

4 pages: Times Roman, font size 12, double spaced.

Essay topics:

a. Using examples, explain the concept of corporate social responsibility.

b. Discuss how an organizations commitment to socially responsible behaviour positively

impacts consumer relations.

c. Discuss arguments for and against the social involvement of business. (at least three for
each side)

d. Describe the responsibilities of the business firm to the general public, customers and
employees.

e. Discuss the role of business in the social development of the communities in which they
operate.

2. Test 1 (20%) Multiple choice

Unit 1 & 2

3. Group Assignment (35%) – due

This includes both a written (20%) and an oral report (15%)

Group size 6-7 persons

a. Oral report (15%)

 The oral presentation will focus on one of the regulatory agencies. This will be assigned
by the Tutor.
 Your presentation will be on the role, function, responsibilities, and authority of the
agency assigned
 The presentation is for 20 minutes (PowerPoint). The oral presentation will be followed
by Q & A (5 minutes). The manner in which questions are dealt with, and the content of
the answers will also contribute to your grade.

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b. Written report (20%) – to be handed in at the start of the class.

a. What is regulation?
b. Why is regulation necessary
c. Outline the major benefits and costs of government regulation
d. Discussion on the regulatory agency assigned

 10 pages
 Times Roman
 Font size 12, double spaced

Agency:

 Fair Trading Commission (FTC)

 Bank of Jamaica (BOJ)
 Financial Services Commission (FSC)
 Consumers Affairs Commission (CAC)

3. Test 2 (Law) 10%

4. Group Case (20%) –

BUSINESS GOVERNANCE AND SOCIETY

Due Date:

MODULE CALENDAR
UNIT/CONTENT DATES ASSIGNMENTS
Unit 1 (6 Hours) Week 1
Relationship between Business & Society
 Business and society defined
 Role and nature of business in society
 Relationship between business and society

 Societal considerations for business activity Week 2

 Criticisms of business operations
 Social, ethical and legal issues affecting businesses
 Business and its responsibility to multiple stakeholders
 Corporate citizenship and social responsibility

4
Unit 2 (8 Hours) Week 3 1. Essay due Feb 8
Government, Governance & Society (week 5) (Individual
 Purpose of government in society – 15%)
 Structure of government
 Regulatory role of government

 Definition and role of non-governmental Week 4

organizations (NGO)
 Government’s role in maintaining social order
 Government’s role and governance

 Nature of corruption and its impact on society Week 5

 Theories of state and issues of governance
 Governance and social order
 Attributes of good governance

Test 1 on Units 1 and 2 (20%) Week 6 2. Test (Units 1 & 2)

20%
Written and Oral - Group work
(Group – 35%)
Written 20%
Oral – 15%
Unit 3 (12 Hours) Week 7
a) Law, Rights & Society (4 Hours)

 Purpose of rights and relevance to society

 Economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights
 Types of diversity
 Tolerance, diversity and social order
 Human rights and diversity
 Citizenship in terms of rights and responsibilities
 Differences between civil liberties and civil rights

b) Law, Governance, & Society (6 Hours) Week 8

 Major sources of law
 Legislative process
 The Constitution
 Constitutional fundamentals
 Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
 The Judiciary –impartial and independent
 Meaning and purpose of separation of powers

Week 9 tTest 2 Unit3

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