Lernzettel: Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility

📋 Course Outline

1. Corporate Social Responsibility definition and scope
2. CSR versus ESG and investor assessment
3. ISO 26000 and link to sustainable development
4. CSR decision-making and sustainable value creation
5. CSR tools, guidelines and sustainable investment risk
6. Valuation and shareholder value under sustainable decisions
7. Global CSR risk differences and corporate governance
8. Implementing CSR under shareholder primacy
9. CSR course structure: lectures, business case and exams
10. Corporate VC CSR team and biotech hub presentation

📖 1. Corporate Social Responsibility definition and scope

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Corporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Social Responsibility is an umbrella label for business practices aimed at social or environmental purposes.
• Umbrella term : An umbrella term groups multiple related practices under one broad concept for easier understanding.
• Social or environmental purposes : Social or environmental purposes are the target outcomes that CSR activities are meant to support.
• Voluntary CSR : Voluntary CSR refers to actions not required by law, meaning companies choose them beyond legal prescriptions.
• CSR roots : CSR roots are the main pillars used to frame CSR as a set of commitments beyond pure compliance.

📝 Essential Points

• CSR is defined as business practices done for social or environmental purposes.
• CSR is voluntary because it is not prescribed by law in the course definition.
• CSR is presented as a broad umbrella concept rather than a single action.
• The course frames CSR as covering both social and environmental dimensions.
• The course uses CSR roots to structure how CSR is understood in practice.

💡 Memory Hook

CSR = Social/Environmental + Voluntary (not law).

📖 2. CSR versus ESG and investor assessment

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• ESG : ESG is a set of criteria investors use to judge a company’s performance on environmental, social, and governance factors.
• CSR business model : A CSR business model is how an individual company organizes practices to pursue social and environmental goals.
• Investor assessment : Investor assessment is the process where investors evaluate companies using ESG criteria to decide whether to invest.
• Qualitative side : The qualitative side refers to the more narrative, practice-based aspect of CSR compared with metrics.
• Quantitative side : The quantitative side refers to the more measurable, criteria-based aspect of ESG used by investors.

📝 Essential Points

• CSR and ESG both address a company’s impact on society and the environment.
• CSR differs from ESG because CSR is company-level practice while ESG is investor-level criteria.
• CSR is described as the qualitative side of responsible action.
• ESG is described as the quantitative side used for investment decisions.
• ESG criteria help investors determine whether a company is worth investing in.

💡 Memory Hook

CSR = Company practices (qualitative); ESG = Investor metrics (quantitative).

📖 3. ISO 26000 and link to sustainable development

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• ISO 26000 : ISO 26000 is a widely adopted CSR standard that connects CSR to sustainable development.
• Sustainable Development : Sustainable development is the overarching development goal that CSR is explicitly linked to in ISO 26000.
• CSR standard : A CSR standard is a structured reference that guides how CSR is framed and implemented.
• Explicit link : An explicit link means the relationship between CSR and sustainable development is stated directly, not implied.

📝 Essential Points

• ISO 26000 is described as one of the most widely adopted CSR standards.
• ISO 26000 explicitly links CSR with sustainable development.
• The course treats ISO 26000 as a core reference point for CSR framing.
• ISO 26000 is used to connect business responsibility to broader sustainability goals.
• The ISO 26000 link is presented as a defining feature of the standard.

💡 Memory Hook

ISO 26000 = CSR → Sustainable Development (explicit).

📖 4. CSR decision-making and sustainable value creation

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Classic decision-making process : The classic decision-making process is the traditional way firms make choices without fully integrating sustainability considerations.
• Sustainable decision-making process : The sustainable decision-making process integrates sustainability considerations into how decisions are made.
• Sustainable value creation : Sustainable value creation is value-building that accounts for sustainability rather than only short-term financial outcomes.
• Long term Shareholders Value : Long term Shareholders Value is shareholder value pursued over the long run through sustainable value creation.
• Sustainable investment risk : Sustainable investment risk is the risk dimension that arises when investments must consider sustainability factors.

📝 Essential Points

• The course contrasts classic decision-making with sustainable decision-making.
• The course aims to help managers access a new decision-making process for CSR.
• Sustainable decisions are tied to creating sustainable value.
• The course frames crises as potential opportunities to reinvent values and corporate culture aligned with CSR.
• Sustainable value creation is linked to long term shareholders value in the course framing.

💡 Memory Hook

Classic vs Sustainable: change the decision process to create sustainable value → long-term shareholder value.

📖 5. CSR tools, guidelines and sustainable investment risk

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• CSR tools : CSR tools are practical instruments used to manage CSR-related decisions and implementation.
• CSR Corporate Guideline : A CSR Corporate Guideline is an internal framework that organizes how CSR is applied in a firm.
• Common tools of Classical Corporate Finance : Common tools of classical corporate finance are standard finance methods used for decisions and valuation.
• Sustainable investment risk management : Sustainable investment risk management is the process of handling sustainability-related risks in investment and allocation decisions.
• CSR guidelines : CSR guidelines are structured recommendations that support consistent CSR implementation across decisions.

📝 Essential Points

• The course learning outcomes include using classical corporate finance tools while adding CSR considerations.
• Managers are expected to create their own CSR tools and CSR corporate guideline.
• The course focuses on managing sustainable investment risk in an uncertain economy.
• CSR tools are positioned as part of asset allocation decisions under uncertainty.
• The course explicitly connects CSR tools to sustainable investment risk and asset allocation complexity.

💡 Memory Hook

Build CSR tools + guideline; then manage sustainable investment risk in asset allocation.

📖 6. Valuation and shareholder value under sustainable decisions

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Valuation models : Valuation models are frameworks used to estimate value when making investment and corporate decisions.
• Shareholders value creation models : Shareholders value creation models explain how firms generate value for shareholders through their decisions.
• Sustainable investment decisions : Sustainable investment decisions are investment choices that incorporate sustainability considerations into the decision process.
• Valuation change : Valuation change refers to how valuation and value-creation models may need to adapt under sustainable decisions.
• Asset allocation : Asset allocation is the distribution of capital across investments, which the course links to sustainable risk.

📝 Essential Points

• The course examines how valuation and shareholder value creation models could change under sustainable investment decisions.
• Sustainable investment decisions are treated as a driver of changes in valuation logic.
• The course connects sustainable investment decisions to sustainable value and long-term shareholder value.
• The course learning outcomes include considering sustainable investment risk in asset allocation decisions.
• The course frames valuation as part of a broader shift in decision-making for CSR.

💡 Memory Hook

Sustainable decisions can force valuation models to adapt to keep shareholder value creation consistent.

📖 7. Global CSR risk differences and corporate governance

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Global differences in CSR risks : Global differences in CSR risks are variations across countries or contexts in how CSR risks are perceived and managed.
• CSR risk perception : CSR risk perception is how stakeholders interpret and judge CSR-related risks, influencing decisions.
• Corporate governance evolution : Corporate governance evolution is the change in governance practices driven by CSR risk and value creation needs.
• Financial decisions : Financial decisions are choices about capital, investments, and value creation that the course links to CSR risks.
• Value creation : Value creation is the process of generating economic value, which the course ties to CSR risk management.

📝 Essential Points

• The course states that global differences in CSR risks and perception affect how financial decisions should be made.
• CSR risk differences influence value creation and therefore also corporate governance evolution.
• The course links CSR understanding to taking corporate finance knowledge to a higher level.
• Sustainable asset allocation complexities are presented as part of the governance and decision context.
• Corporate governance evolution is framed as impacted by sustainable value creation needs.

💡 Memory Hook

Different CSR risk perceptions globally → different financial decisions → governance evolves.

📖 8. Implementing CSR under shareholder primacy

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Shareholder primacy : Shareholder primacy is the decision orientation where shareholder value creation is treated as the dominant objective.
• Implementing CSR : Implementing CSR is the act of applying CSR in business decisions even when shareholder primacy dominates.
• Social and economic performance : Social and economic performance are the dual outcomes the course asks whether firms can combine.
• Firm decision making process : The firm decision making process is the way choices are structured inside the company, which may need rethinking for CSR.
• Corporate culture alignment : Corporate culture alignment means adjusting values and culture so they match a CSR approach.

📝 Essential Points

• The course asks how to implement CSR in a business dominated by shareholder primacy.
• The course asks whether social and economic performance can be combined without rethinking the firm decision process.
• The course frames crises as opportunities to reinvent values and align corporate culture with CSR.
• CSR is presented as a way to rethink how firms create sustainable value.
• Long-term shareholder value is linked to CSR-aligned sustainable value creation.

💡 Memory Hook

Shareholder primacy + CSR: can you combine social/economic results without changing decisions? Course pushes toward rethinking.

📖 9. CSR course structure: lectures, business case and exams

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Classic Lecture : A classic lecture is a traditional teaching format used in the course alongside other learning activities.
• Business case : A business case is a practical scenario used to apply CSR concepts to real decision-making.
• Mid term Exam : A mid term exam is an assessment point scheduled during the course after the initial learning phase.
• Final Exam : A final exam is the course’s concluding assessment that tests CSR modeling and decision understanding.
• CSR modelling expertise presentation : A CSR modelling expertise presentation is a deliverable where CSR modeling knowledge is presented to investors.

📝 Essential Points

• The course includes classic lectures and articles as part of the learning structure.
• A business case is included in the course plan.
• The course includes a mid term exam, with the definition to be provided.
• A final exam is planned after the presentations and business case work.
• A CSR modeling expertise presentation to investors is scheduled for Thursday 9th JULY 2026.

💡 Memory Hook

Course flow: lectures/articles → business case + midterm → investor presentation → final exam.

📖 10. Corporate VC CSR team and biotech hub presentation

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Corporate VC : A corporate VC is a venture capital organization linked to a corporate context, used in the course business case.
• CSR team : A CSR team is the internal group responsible for CSR modeling and investor-facing CSR work.
• ESG experts : ESG experts are specialists who bring ESG knowledge into the investment team structure.
• Investment Biotech Fund : An investment biotech fund is the biotech-focused fund context where CSR and ESG expertise are integrated.
• Biotech hub presentation : A biotech hub presentation is a course presentation focused on a specific biotech hub topic.

📝 Essential Points

• The course includes a business case where you work for a VC firm inside the CSR team.
• The course includes a presentation of THE BEST FAR EAST BIOTECH HUB.
• The course includes a corporate VC context for building a CSR team with ESG experts inside an investment biotech fund.
• The investor-facing presentation is described as a CSR modeling expertise presentation.
• The business case presentation date is Thursday 9th JULY 2026.

💡 Memory Hook

VC firm CSR team + Far East biotech hub + investor presentation (CSR modeling).

📅 Key Dates

Date	Event
2000	Villages Clubs du Soleil commitment to ISO 9001 certification procedures
50001	Villages Clubs du Soleil later ISO 50001 certification procedures
Thursday 9th JULY 2026	CSR modelling expertise presentation to investors

📊 Synthesis Tables

CSR versus ESG

Aspect	CSR	ESG
Purpose focus	Social or environmental purposes	Criteria used to assess society/environment impact
Who uses it	Individual companies	Investors
Role	Business model	Investment assessment criteria
Nature	Qualitative side	Quantitative side

⚠️ Common Pitfalls & Confusions

1. Mixing up CSR and ESG: CSR is company practices, while ESG is investor criteria.
2. Assuming CSR is legally required; the course defines CSR as voluntary.
3. Thinking ISO 26000 is only a compliance rule; the course emphasizes its explicit link to sustainable development.
4. Confusing classic vs sustainable decision-making: the course treats it as a change in the decision process, not just extra reporting.
5. Assuming sustainable decisions keep valuation logic unchanged; the course states valuation and value-creation models could change.

✅ Exam Checklist

1. Define CSR as business practices for social or environmental purposes and explain why they are voluntary.
2. Distinguish CSR from ESG by identifying who uses each and whether it is qualitative or quantitative.
3. State what ISO 26000 links CSR to and describe the nature of that link.
4. Explain the course contrast between classic decision-making and sustainable decision-making.
5. Describe how CSR decision-making is connected to sustainable value creation and long-term shareholder value.
6. List the course learning expectations for creating CSR tools and a CSR corporate guideline alongside classical corporate finance tools.
7. Explain how sustainable investment risk and asset allocation are treated in the course learning outcomes.
8. Describe what the course says about how valuation and shareholder value creation models may change under sustainable investment decisions.
9. Connect global differences in CSR risk perception to impacts on financial decisions and corporate governance evolution.
10. Answer the course questions about implementing CSR under shareholder primacy and combining social and economic performance.
11. Recall the course structure elements: lectures/articles, business case, mid term exam, investor presentation date, and final exam.
12. Identify the corporate VC CSR team context and the biotech hub presentation included in the course.