Individual Take Home Assignment
SIS, Module ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’
March 2012
The assignment consists of 2 parts; one based on a predefined dilemma from the Global Compact
Game and the other based on Lego’s corporate website.
The assignment handed in should be maximum 8 pages (excluding front page, table of contents,
and list of references, but including any models and/or tables). Papers should be written using
Times New Roman, font 12, 1.5 line spacing. One standard page is 2400 characters, including
spaces.
Make sure to include an appropriate and consistent quotation and citation style.
Students are strongly encouraged also to use course literature and additional, relevant academic
literature.
Part A
Taking the point of departure in one of the following dilemmas (you are free to choose a
dilemma), discuss and justify your solution(s) to the dilemma.
Identify and choose relevant theories of CSR, and exemplify how your solutions to the dilemma
relate to your understanding of CSR. Moreover, discuss how your solutions may affect your
company’s different stakeholders. If possible, implement an ethical perspective in your discussion.
Dilemmas:
Human Rights:
You have just been told to take a look at an employee’s Facebook page which is attracting a
great deal of attention. The employee has made a number of negative comments about the
company’s corporate responsibility practices. The comments could damage the company’s
reputation, especially if they were to be reported by the media.
Labor Standards:
Your company has eliminated the use of child labour in your supply chain, however the
children’s' families can no longer afford to send them to school. This is a direct consequence of
your company’s actions. Worse still, you only found out about this because a journalist has
called asking you to comment on the situation.
Environment:
You have just discovered a new production process that will significantly reduce the amount of
hazardous chemicals in your products. You know this will give you a competitive advantage in
the market. However to implement this you will need to share the information with one of your
suppliers who is also a supplier to your biggest competitor.
Anti-corruption
Your company operates in a country where it is common practice to make payments to public
officials to get things done. You have just said no to make a payment to a customs official for the
immediate release of a shipment of goods. Now the official advises you that it will take up to
two weeks before you will receive the goods; this delay will have serious consequences for your
company.
Part B
Access LEGO’s corporate website and analyze how LEGO understands and employs CSR.
Thereafter, discuss LEGO’s mode of CSR communication in light of relevant course literature.
If you should have questions to this assignment, please contact me. (Heidrun@cgs.aau.dk)
Good luck.
Heidrun